Mania: symptoms, associated disorders and treatment

Many people associate the word mania with the presence of strange and prototypical customs of a person, which usually repeats them with relative frequency. However, there are far fewer people who know that the concept of mania also has another meaning, which, as a general rule, is the one we refer to when we are talking about psychopathologies.

And it is that mania is also an alteration of mood, being together with depression one of the main alterations that are part of the disorder bipolar and that like this supposes a serious alteration, discomfort and limitation in the life of the person. It is about this type of emotional state that we are going to talk about throughout this article, defining it and visualizing its basic definition, in what contexts it appears and how it is usually treated.

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Mania and manic episodes

Mania is understood as a psychological alteration characterized by the presence of a mood

excessively euphoric, expansive and concurrent with a high energy level. It is a pathological and temporary state that, which can appear in various contexts and that generally usually appears in a form of episodes lasting at least a week almost every day and most of the day.

These episodes are characterized by the presence of the aforementioned expansive, euphoric and irritable mood, which usually appears together with a high level of restlessness and agitation that is manifested from a behavior hyperactive. Usually the person has the feeling that thoughts of him are passing by at high speed, not being rare that the train of thought is lost before the great influx of these.

The subject in the manic phase also suffers from a high level of distractibility, having great difficulties concentrating and continuously going from one thing to another. They also appear in this state thoughts and delusions of grandeur and genius, considering the subject often invulnerable and with unlimited resources. Likewise, it is common for a high impulsiveness and aggressiveness to appear, at the same time that the ability to judge and risk assessment, often leading to the performance of acts that may pose a risk to one's own health or integrity. They also tend to try to get involved in a large number of projects regardless of their feasibility.

It is common for fights and conflicts to appear both socially and at work or even in the family and/or partner, as well as large economic expenses. (regardless of his economic capacity), hypersexuality (often taking risks) and sometimes even substance use that can worsen his condition (for example cocaine).

It is also not uncommon for hallucinations and delusions to appear., interpreting reality based on them and reacting aggressively. Finally, it should be noted that often the behavioral changes experienced make it necessary to hospitalize the subject in order to stabilize it.

• You may be interested: "Megalomania and delusions of grandeur: playing God"

Appearance contexts

The appearance of manic episodes is usually associated with the presence of a bipolar disorder. In fact, one of the most common types of bipolar disorder known, bipolar disorder type 1, requires only at least a manic episode not due to substance use or a general medical condition in order to be diagnosed, not actually requiring the appearance of a depressive episode.

But bipolar disorder is not the only context in which a manic episode or behavior can appear. And it is mania that can also appear derived from the effects of the consumption of different drugs or substances, as a product of intoxication. Likewise, some infections and diseases that have an effect on the brain can also lead to the presence of manic symptoms. Among them can also be found some dementias or infections such as encephalitis.

In addition also may appear in other mental disorders, being an example of this some psychotic disorders. Specifically, schizoaffective disorder stands out, which has a subtype called bipolar in which episodes of mania also occur.

In general, mania is a consequence of the presence of a neurochemical or functional alteration of the brain, either It is caused by some toxic or drug or by an atypical functioning typical of some type of disorder or disease. Occasionally it can also be observed that in some cases manic symptoms may appear in situations of high psychosocial stress.

• You may be interested: "The 6 Types of Mood Disorders"

Consequences

The existence of a manic episode or phase usually has severe repercussions for those who suffer from it. At a social level, as we have seen, it is common that there are conflicts or even verbal or physical fightsespecially with strangers.

It is also common for problems to arise with the immediate environment or with the couple, such as conflicts, arguments, accusations or infidelities, and these problems may have repercussions even after the end of the episode. In addition also it is common for the environment not to understand the subject's actions, or that this is due to an alteration of the state of mind beyond his control.

At work, the presence of conflicts is not uncommon, as well as a loss of productivity derived from excess energy and distractibility.

At an economic level, they are frequently carried out, as we have seen. large excesses, often as a result of impulses or to acquire unnecessary products. The risks that they can commit can cause the subject to suffer various mishaps, such as work accidents, falls and trauma, intoxication or substance abuse, transmission of sexually transmitted diseases or infections, or pregnancy desired. Likewise, on some occasions, people in the manic phase can even carry out illegal acts or be involved in criminal activities.

The high level of arousal of the subject and his behavioral alterations mean that some type of hospitalization is often required in order to stabilize him, usually through pharmacological treatment.

Mania vs Hypomania: A Matter of Degree

Mania is a psychological alteration of an emotional nature that can have serious repercussions on the life of those who suffer from it. However, there is another concept that assumes the existence of practically identical symptoms and with which it is very easy to confuse mania: hypomania.

As we can deduce from the name, hypomania is a somewhat less extreme version of mania, also appearing an expansive, euphoric state of mind and with a high level of agitation and energy. The main difference between mania and hypomania is in the intensity with which the symptoms occur.

Although hypomania supposes a change in mood that is perceptible by the environment and that can also have repercussions for the subject, symptoms are less severe and neither delusions nor hallucinations usually appear. Likewise, they generally do not prevent the subject from having functionality in their day-to-day activities and hospitalization of the patient is not usually necessary. Finally, hypomanic episodes are much shorter in duration than manic episodes, typically lasting between four days and a week.

The treatment of mania

Treatment of manic episodes is usually carried out from the administration of some type of mood stabilizer, that is, a type of drug that stabilizes mood. Lithium salts are generally used for this purpose, although there are other options as well. In some cases it may be necessary to apply antipsychotic drugs.

In the event that its appearance is due to intoxication, it will be necessary to treat this fact differently. The same happens in the case of infections, which must be treated in order to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. In disorders such as bipolar or schizoaffective of the bipolar type, depending on the case and especially if there are characteristics that involve a medical emergency (such as the appearance of suicidal behavior) or drugs are not effective may be recommendable the application of electroconvulsive therapy in a hospital.

In addition to this, it is common for psychological therapy to be used (once stabilized at the pharmacological level), in order to detect prodromes or symptoms that warn of the arrival of an episode. Psychoeducation and control of social and circadian rhythms (including sleeping and eating schedules) can also help.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth edition. DSM-V. Mason, Barcelona.
• Belloch, Sandin, and Ramos (2008). Manual of Psychopathology. McGraw-Hill. Madrid.