Mania

It can be hard to diagnose someone suffering from mania and hypomania as it can appear as someone being over-active or over-excited. The difference is how severe the symptoms are, how long the symptoms last, and how much they prevent you from living a ‘normal’ life.

It is not known what causes mania but possible causes include high levels of stress, lack of sleep, stimulants such as drugs or alcohol, a difficult or abusive childhood, a difficult period for example a bereavement, family history or brain chemistry.

Treating mania 

 If you are worried about your moods or increased risky behaviour, speak to a parent, friend, teacher or your GP.

Mania can be easily treated through a variety of methods including therapy and medication.

Drugs licensed for mania are called anti-psychotics and the most commonly offered drugs are: olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal) and Aripiprazole (Abilify).

Symptoms of mania

Symptoms of mania include:

• feeling ‘high' or intense happiness
• increased confidence 
• increased irritability and aggression
• heightened senses
• not needing much sleep
• easily distracted
• talking a lot and very fast
• feeling full of ideas and having lots of energy
• having difficulty relaxing
• increased social activity
• risky behaviour, such as going on a spending spree
• increased sexual desire 
• poor judgement

Hypomania and mania are the same but with hypomania the symptoms are less severe and do not last as long.

Medication

If your GP suggests that medication may help you, the HeadMeds website medications serach will provide you with more information about the medication they are recommending, how it works, how you should take it and how you might feel. It should also be able to answer any questions you might have about going on medication.