mania

A mania is an affective disorder with a mood that goes far beyond the normal, mostly euphoric. While a depressed person appears withdrawn and withdrawn, a manic patient is characterized by strong inner restlessness, sometimes constant irritability and the loss of inhibitions.

What is a mania?

The ancient Greek word mania means anger, madness or frenzy. This resulted in the term for as mania designated psychological disturbance of consciousness derived. The person concerned is in a seemingly never-ending high mood and is often characterized by excessive self-confidence or limitless overestimation of himself. In some cases, irritability occurs instead of high mood.

As a result of the disease, those affected often get into conflicts with their environment, as they can no longer consciously avoid them. The mania often occurs in episodes and is bipolar, that is, with opposing moods. The most common form of mania is manic depression, in which manic and depressive episodes alternate.

causes

The causes of the mania have not yet been clarified with 100% accuracy. Based on the current state of research and knowledge, however, it is believed that there are several factors that can trigger a manic episode.

On the one hand, a disruption of the biochemical messenger substances (neurotransmitters) seems to play a role. On the other hand, changes in the genes were found in manic patients. After all, there are often serious experiences, such as the death of a loved one, breakups, fear of loss or existential fears that have an impact from outside and promote the disease.

The fact that all these factors could be proven independently of one another even in healthy people and that there are also patients who suffer from mania without external factors underlines the complexity of the disease and its causes.

Typical symptoms & signs

• Mood swings
• increased mental and physical activity
• High mood, good mood, party mood
• high risk behavior
• high emotional excitability
• high level of social contact and communication
• less fatigue
• high self-confidence
• irritability

Diagnosis & course

Mania is diagnosed by a psychiatrist based on the symptoms and behavior of the person concerned. A physical exam is not necessary. In addition to talking to the patient, conversations with relatives are often also held.

Diagnosis is often made more difficult by the fact that those affected do not see a doctor until very late. They do not perceive their behavior as abnormal or exaggerated and, on the contrary, feel very good and healthy.

Typical symptoms of mania include: a constant, unfounded high mood, uncritical behavior towards oneself, the loss of inhibitions, strong urge to talk, megalomania, reduced need for sleep, sometimes hallucinations, severe irritability, severe restlessness, restless activity.

It is characteristic that all of these behavioral patterns go far beyond the normal and mostly tolerable level for other people. In manic depressive patients, the phase of high mood is followed by phases of "cat complaint", listlessness and sometimes also the shame because of their previous behavior.

Mania occurs from case to case with a different course and different symptoms.

Complications

The complications of mania depend on the person's condition. Depression, which afflicts most people with mania, also plays a role. The activities that the person concerned carries out in their manic phases can have serious complications for them and those around them.

The uninhibited financial behavior often leads to serious financial difficulties. This can also affect the manic environment - through loans or thefts that occur more rarely. The financial burden, in turn, leads to a deterioration of the mood in depressive phases.

The sexual behavior of those affected can also cause serious emotional and health damage. Lack of caution in sexual - sometimes indiscriminate - contact carries a risk of sexually transmitted diseases. A lack of sleep and overexertion also often lead to cardiovascular problems, which increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Affected people occasionally tend to neglect when it comes to hygiene, which can manifest itself in emerging diseases. In addition, they often burden their bodies with alcohol or other substances. Overall, long-term damage from substance abuse occurs significantly more frequently.

Potential criminal activity has social and personal complications ranging from legal action to social isolation. All of these complications also lead to an intensification of the depressive attacks. The self-destructive behavior of those affected is often intensified and can even lead to suicide.

When should you go to the doctor?

If the person concerned suddenly has behavioral problems, he or she needs medical assistance. In the case of wastefulness, a prolonged shopping spree or a very active demeanor, there is an irregularity that needs to be investigated and treated. A high level of activity, a reduced need for sleep or the permanent urge to have to do something are all signs of an existing disorder. The mood of the person concerned is euphoric, the sick person has no feeling of illness and also no insight into an existing disorder. As a result, caregivers are requested to contact a doctor as soon as possible if symptoms occur so that help can be initiated.

Excessive self-esteem, loss of perception of dangerous situations, and emotionally hurtful behavior indicate a psychological irregularity that should be presented to a doctor. Since people in a manic phase are considered incapacitated, they need medical attention. If personal performance increases excessively, the thirst for action increases and those affected show an unfounded, immensely good mood, they need a doctor. They have lost their appraisal of reality because they feel elated in inappropriate situations. If the condition of the person concerned is perceived as ecstasy or intoxication by people in their immediate vicinity, a doctor should be consulted. Often compulsory admission is required.

Treatment & Therapy

A mania is treated with medication. Neuroleptics, anti-epileptics and lithium preparations can be used. Combinations of individual medications are also possible, which among other things depends on the severity of the disease. The primary goal of the medication is to stabilize the patient's mood.

In the acute manic phases it is often necessary to treat the patient as an inpatient in a psychiatric ward. Especially when there are suicidal intentions or the person concerned poses a danger to his environment.

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prevention

A mania is not curable in the traditional sense. Since its causes are not really known, it cannot be prevented. The only option left for the person concerned is to "come to terms" with the illness. The high suicide rate among manic people shows that this life is unbearable for many.

Those affected definitely have the chance to lead a relatively orderly life without stress. It is important that you face the illness, do not stop the prescribed drug treatment and seek psychological care to deal with past or existing problems.

Aftercare

Follow-up care for mania is usually accompanied by prevention. After an inpatient stay, it makes sense to continue the treatment on an outpatient basis. A psychotherapist supports the patient on a psychological and social level, while a psychiatrist decides together with the patient on the intake of medication.

People with a mania do not always need to take psychotropic drugs on a permanent basis. However, in severe cases, they can help restore a biochemical balance in the brain. Doctors prescribe certain active ingredients with the aim of reducing the risk of it becoming too rampant. In psychotherapy, patients learn about their individual causes and triggers for mania. For aftercare it is crucial to reduce these factors as much as possible in order to establish a stable living situation.

You can do that yourself

The possibilities for self-help during a manic phase are very minimal. Since the clinical picture of a mania includes a lack of insight into the disease, the patient lacks the necessary awareness of the disease and its symptoms. It is more likely behavior that resembles a megalomania and arrogance towards other people or life. The person concerned has the feeling of being immortal and flawless. Even warnings from people with whom there is a very good relationship of trust are ignored or dismissed as silly.

However, in healthy and well-reflected health phases, the sick person can take some precautions. They include medical care and financial arrangements. Precautions against another manic episode can be taken with a therapist, close relatives, and legal guardian. During a mania, the person concerned is considered incapable of doing business. This often leads to legal precautions being taken after an initial manic phase.

In addition, it is helpful if people in the close social environment are adequately informed about the disease and its effects. In an emergency, a card or a passport that is easily visible to third parties with the contact details of helpers is useful. In the event of a strongly euphoric mood, a reference person can be called at any time.