Having manic episodes causes a lot of discord in a person’s life. The extreme and uncontrollable mood swings that come with mania challenge even the most stable of people.
Renewal Oasis created a program specifically designed to treat mania and help people achieve some control over their symptoms. Our skilled and compassionate therapy team approaches each person as the unique individual they are. We design a treatment plan to meet their needs and help them improve their mental health. Multiple types of therapy and any necessary prescription medications help give people with manic episodes a real hand in improving how they feel, think, and behave. If you need help dealing with mania, let us help you find your way.
What is Mania?
Mania is a symptom that is part of mental illness and often happens to people who have bipolar disorder. In fact, approximately 1 out of 40 American adults have bipolar disorder, and about 1% of teenagers have it. Mania episodes cause a person to feel accelerated levels of high energy they cannot control. Mania causes a person to feel extreme joy and a feeling of invincibility. Even if they know it’s a symptom of a mental health disorder they have, the individual is often reluctant to take medication.
Mania causes a person to have challenging moods that cause conflict in their personal lives, work, and school. Those around them often don’t understand what causes the manic behaviors. They might suspect the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Signs & Symptoms of Mania
Manic symptoms include any of the following:
- Feelings of euphoria
- Loads of energy
- Engaging in risky behaviors, such as driving recklessly or unsafe sex
- Racing thoughts
- Unable to stay on one topic in conversation
- Difficulty finishing a task, but instead jumping from one to another without completing them
- Trouble concentrating
- Needing very little sleep
- Excessive talking
- Fidgeting
- Behaviors upset family, friends, and co-workers
What Are Manic Episodes Caused By?
Mental health professionals cannot point to just one reason a person develops manic symptoms. They typically are part of a mental health disorder, which a psychiatrist or mental health counselor can diagnose. Common mental illnesses that include manic symptoms include bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, postpartum psychosis, and schizoaffective disorder.
Someone who has mania may have a genetic history of this disorder. As with other mental health disorders, when another family member has it, that increases the chances the individual will develop it. A chemical imbalance in the brain can also contribute to a person having mania.
Someone with a substance use disorder has a higher risk of developing mania than those who do not have an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Finally, mania can be prompted by going through a traumatic event. The event may have occurred during childhood, several years ago, or recently. A mental health assessment will help establish the presence of mania and provide an opportunity to discuss the possible origins of the illness.
How to Help Someone Who is Experiencing Mania
Being around someone who exhibits manic symptoms can be confusing, intimidating, and even frightening. If you know the individual has mania, let them know you understand the source of their symptoms, and you’d like to help, if you can. If the person is currently experiencing symptoms, speak calmly to them. Do not engage in a debate or fight with them because there is no winning it while they are feeling manic. Try to make the environment less stimulating by shutting off music or the television. You can also ask the person to sit with you instead of quickly moving from one task to another.
When the person with mania is not in the middle of a cycle, gently encourage them to seek professional help. Volunteer to look for treatment options in their area and drive them to their sessions.
Treatment Options for Those Who Experience Manic Episodes
Mania can be treated by using different types of therapy. An initial assessment will help the clinician match the individual with the right types of therapy for their specific needs. One-on-one therapy is a common component of a treatment plan for mania. It gives the person a safe space to talk about their symptoms and develop a bond with their therapist. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which can be done one-on-one or in a group, also proves valuable in helping people get to the core of their disorder. This type of therapy teaches valuable coping skills that help the person identify faulty thinking and emotional patterns and alter them.
Family therapy helps loved ones understand how their family member feels and teaches them how to support them. The therapist also helps everyone develop better communication so there is less conflict in the family unit.
Finally, many types of prescription drugs can help reduce and control the symptoms of mania. The use of them will be discussed by the treatment provider and may include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics.
Contact Renewal Oasis About Our Treatment Options
Have you been living with mania, and it permeates every area of your life? Manic episodes can crop up at any time and negatively impact a person’s personal and professional lives. Renewal Oasis understands the challenges of treating mania. Our first-class treatment program includes access to life-changing, evidence-based therapies and prescription medications that help even out moods. We work with you to set and meet treatment goals, so you don’t have to keep living a life ruled by impulsive and uncontrollable moods.
Contact us today to find out how easy it is to get started working with us. Let today be the day you seize control of your mental health and start to feel better.
Published: 12/06/2024
