mania

Mania

Children with bipolar disorder often experience periods of mania. In adults, a period of mania is expected to last at least one week but in children and teens with bipolar disorder their mood can switch back and forth rapidly over the course of a week or even multiple mood swings over the course of a day. The major symptom is an elevated, euphoric (very upbeat/very happy), or irritable mood. Several other symptoms will likely be present. In mania, symptoms are notably harming the child’s school performance, family functioning, or peer relationships. Note that symptoms that are present in one episode of mania may be reduced or absent in another episode of mania. Also note that many of the symptoms that can occur in mania can also occur in other psychiatric disorders (including depression, ADHD, schizophrenia, and others). Only a doctor who knows your child can truly determine if your child is experiencing mania. If your child is exhibiting daring behaviors, poor judgment, notable aggression, or other symptoms such that they are putting themselves or others in danger, call your child’s doctor immediately!

Possible symptoms of mania include:

• Elevated, euphoric, or irritable mood;
• Too happy/giddy, not being able to stop laughing or laughing at inappropriate times;
• Increased self-esteem or grandiosity (belief they can do incredible or impossible things, from the more obvious belief they can fly or have been specially chosen to receive secret information via voices in the TV talking only to them to the less obvious belief that they know more than the principal resulting in calling the principal with suggestions for how to do his/her job better);
• Decreased need for sleep, meaning much less sleep but no drop in energy levels;
• Increased energy levels;
• Distractibility/difficulty focusing;
• Increased talkativeness and activity levels, may appear suddenly hyperactive or more hyperactive than usual;
• Pressured speech (more difficulty waiting turn in conversation, feeling driven to interrupt, speech is a bit louder and more forceful);
• Racing thoughts (leading to unfinished sentences or changing subject quickly);
• Intense productivity and/or creativity driven by the high energy levels;
• Intense agitation, including possibly rages, destroying things, verbal or physical aggression toward others;
• New or worsened oppositional behavior (going against everything parent/teachers say);
• Worsening of any sensory integration type issues, increased sensitivity to sounds in environment etc., sometimes to the point of triggering rages;
• Impulsivity and poor judgment (i.e. daring behaviors, compulsive/impulsive spending);
• Delusions (unreal beliefs either grandiosity as explained above or paranoid, that people are against them);
• Hallucinations (“unreal” sights, sounds, smells, or sensations/feelings that are beyond a child being imaginative);
• Hypersexuality (an unreasonably high interest in sex, can occur even in young children and may include propositioning peers or family members in graphic language or exhibitionism; this comes out of “nowhere” without the child having been exposed to explicit magazines/movies etc.); and
• New or increased compulsion or obsessions.

THE FINE PRINT

The information on these web pages is the compilation of parents who are trying to help our kids and in the process help others as well. The information found on this site is intended solely for informational, educational and support purposes only. There are no claims made of medical, legal, educational or other advice nor are there any guarantees implied. Do not make any medication or therapy changes, legal, educational or other decisions based on information found here without first consulting a professional who knows your child and family. Many websites, books and other sources are referenced for information, such reference does not imply endorsement.

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