Mania Specialist

Washington Center for Women's and Children's Wellness (WCWCW)

Child, Adolescent, Women’s & Reproductive Psychiatry located in Bethesda, MD and offering Telehealth appointments in Maryland, Virginia, DC, Florida and Michigan

Mania can lead to reckless and dangerous behavior that could have a lasting impact on your life. At WCWCW in Bethesda, Maryland, our highly skilled mental health professionals offer expert treatments for mania and its less severe form, hypomania. Mania is an emergency and most often requires hospitalization for stabilization prior to outpatient treatment. Let WCWCW help you and your family understand mania by calling our office today or booking an appointment online.

Mania Q & A

All Services > Our Specialties > Women's Psychiatry > Mood Disorders > Mania

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What is mania?

Mania is a state where you feel over-excited and full of energy, which might not sound like much of a problem. However, mania is an extreme condition that means you get no rest and are liable to put yourself or others in danger. It can be impossible to function normally when in the grip of a manic episode, which can last for a week or longer.

Hypomania is a form of mania that causes similar symptoms but to a lesser degree. Both mania and hypomania can occur first or after an episode of depression, as part of a condition, called bipolar disorder.

What are the symptoms of mania?

Mania can cause numerous symptoms. Some of the more common ones include:

Euphoria (intense happiness)
Uncontrollable excitement
Irritability and agitation
Heightened sexual energy
Racing thoughts
Overconfidence and risk-taking
Feeling invincible
Talking quickly and not making sense
Inappropriate or out of character behavior
Sleeping little or not at all
Rudeness and aggression
Drug or alcohol abuse
Spending money excessively
Lack of inhibition

After a manic episode, you might feel embarrassed or ashamed about your behavior. Or you may be unable to recall much of what happened. You might experience severe stress if you discover that you ran up debts, upset other people, or behaved recklessly while manic. People with bipolar disorder commonly experience depression after mania.

What causes mania?

Mania is most commonly part of another condition, such as bipolar disorder, postpartum psychosis, or schizoaffective disorder. Risk factors for triggering mania include:

High levels of stress
Disturbed sleep
Recreational drug use
Excessive alcohol intake
Significant life changes, like divorce
Loss or bereavement
Trauma and abuse
Struggling with money, housing, and other problems
Side effect of some medications
Family history

Whatever the reason for your mania or hypomania, our experts at WCWCW offer expert diagnosis and treatment to help stabilize your mood and prevent mania from becoming an ongoing problem.

What treatments can help with mania?

WCWCW tailors your mania treatment to suit your symptoms and the causes of your mania. The two primary forms of treatment are psychotherapy and medication.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy or talk therapy helps you identify troubling thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and learn how to change them. During a manic period, psychotherapy is less helpful as you’re unlikely to be receptive. However, sessions between episodes of mania are vital to managing your condition.

Medication

Medications for mania include mood stabilizers like lithium, valproate, and carbamazepine, and antipsychotic medication like haloperidol, quetiapine, or risperidone. Your psychiatrist at WCWCW might also prescribe medicines to help you sleep or reduce your anxiety.

If you or someone you love is experiencing mania, please go to your closest emergency room for immediate help. When ready for outpatient treatment, our specialists at WCWCW in Bethesda, Maryland, offer the expert care you need to overcome the challenges of mania. Call our office or book an appointment online. We provide the same high-quality service via telehealth for patients living in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Michigan, and Florida.