Manic state

The more you know about this disease, the more effectively you can cope with it. There are many ways to recognize a manic state and cope with it faster:

• Learn to recognize the first signs and begin immediate intensive treatment.
• Write down how you feel every day at the same time.
• Take medications strictly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and drugs.
• Exercise, watch your diet, get enough sleep, and stick to a routine. All of these methods will help you avoid the minor mood swings that lead to manic episodes.
• Create a plan in advance so that people close to you can help you during an attack.

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How does a manic state manifest itself?

One of the most important moments in the fight against mania is recognizing its first signs. Perhaps in your case these signs will be strictly individual, but most patients will observe a certain pattern. If you learn to recognize a manic state, you will have a chance to start treatment earlier, which will save you from a more severe course. The first step to this will be a diary in which you will write down your mood every day.

This journal will help you learn about your moods and thus see if you are manic. Start your journal by asking yourself at about the same time each day: How did I feel during the day? Use a scale from -5 (depressed) to +5 (manic), where 0 is normal, to rate your mood. If you have any new or unusual feelings during the day, write them down. Be sure to write down any stressful situations or events that disrupted your normal routine. Did you take your medication? Did you get enough sleep last night, eat well, do your morning exercises as usual, or perhaps have a few drinks? Writing these things down will help you see what triggers your mood swings that lead to mania, giving you a chance to avoid them in the future.

While you are keeping a mood diary, allow family and friends to also notify you of the slightest change in your mood or behavior.

Typically, a manic state is manifested by the following symptoms:

• Decreased need for sleep.
• Increased activity.
• Excessive feelings of happiness, irritability, or energy.
• Making unrealistic plans or being overly focused on achieving a goal.
• Increased absent-mindedness and wandering thoughts.
• Belief in the excessive importance of one's person.
• Increased talkativeness.

Why is it necessary to control a manic state?

Most people take medications every day for mania, often medications called mood stabilizers. But despite this, these people can still have an episode of mania or depression. If you develop a manic state, you will need another medication to relieve its symptoms until they disappear completely. However, it is very important that you consult a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of mania. This will help you cope with the attack faster and prevent it from developing into a more serious pathology.

Many people feel good at the very beginning of an episode. It’s not every day that we feel on top of our game, confident, energetic, and full of new ideas. These feelings can make you think that you no longer need medication. It’s at these times that it’s important to have a support group that knows how to help you. With the support of family and friends, you can continue to stick with your treatment.

Early treatment will allow you to cope with the consequences of an attack in advance - thus, you will avoid its destructive impact on your life. By avoiding impulsive and often reckless behavior, you will protect yourself from more serious consequences of an attack. For example, spending large amounts of money, careless sex and reckless driving can bring devastating consequences not only to you, but also to the people who love you. Therefore, knowing the early signs of a developing manic attack will help you avoid these problems.

How to control a manic state?

While the best way to manage bipolar disorder is to prevent mania, this is not always possible. However, you can learn to recognize the factors that influence mania and try to avoid them. One of the best ways to do this is to stick to a strict daily routine and monitor the quality of your sleep.

• Stick to a set sleep schedule. You should go to bed at night and wake up in the morning at the same time. Changes in this schedule will cause changes in the body and, accordingly, may cause mood swings, which will only worsen your symptoms.
• Stick to a routine. Plan your day clearly. For example, eat meals at the same time, make exercise or other physical activity part of your day, and try to do relaxation exercises or meditation before bed.
• Set achievable goals. If you set an unachievable goal and try your best to achieve it, it can trigger a manic episode. Do everything you can to cope with your illness, but also be prepared for possible relapses.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs. You may be tempted to use alcohol or drugs to ease your manic state. But this will not help you, but on the contrary, will worsen the course of the disease. Even a small amount of them can affect sleep, mood or interact with medications.
• Ask for help from friends and family. Sometimes, to survive a manic episode, you may need help from family or friends, especially if you are losing the ability to distinguish the real world from the imaginary world (manic psychosis). Having a pre-prepared plan of action during an attack will enable family and friends to provide the necessary help.
• Try to reduce stress at home and at work. You should try to attend school or work as usual. Doing your job well is great, but avoiding a manic episode is more important in your case. If stressful situations at work, school or home are causing you trouble, then you should visit psychotherapy. It will help you cope with stress.
• Learn to recognize the early signs of a new manic episode. One of the most effective methods of preventing a manic episode is to recognize its early symptoms.
• Don't stop taking your medication. When you feel good and euphoric during a manic episode, you may think you no longer need treatment. However, to avoid unwanted and unpleasant consequences of mania, do not allow yourself to do this. If you have questions about your treatment or about the side effects of your medication, be sure to talk to your doctor. Never stop taking or change the dosage of your medication on your own.

By learning to fight and control your manic state, you can live a healthy and fulfilling life.

When to see a doctor if you are in a manic state?

If you have any questions after reading this information. Take this information with you to your doctor's appointment. If you are interested in certain places in the article, highlight them with a highlighter.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice changes in your own behavior. Discuss with your doctor possible factors that trigger a manic state in you and ask how you can avoid them.