Someone who is manic

Manage stress. Stress takes a toll on the body and mind, so find ways to keep it in check. You can also keep stress under control by practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation.

Ask for help. If your friend or family member needs more assistance than you can give, ask for help from others. Turn to other relatives or close friends, or contact a bipolar disorder support organization. Authors: Jeanne Segal, Ph. DSM Library. American Psychiatric Association, Bobo, William V. Galynker, and Katherine N. Lam, Dominic H. Watkins, Kim Wright, and Pak Sham.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Family Self-Care and Recovery from Mental Illness — Looking after your own wellbeing while caring for a mentally ill family member. How to help Someone in Crisis — Handling a bipolar disorder crisis. In the U. This holiday season alone, millions of people will turn to HelpGuide for free mental health guidance and support. So many people rely on us in their most difficult moments.

Can we rely on you? All gifts made before December 31 will be doubled. Cookie Policy. This guide will help you navigate the challenges and support your friend or family member. How can you help someone with bipolar disorder? Other ways to help someone with bipolar disorder You can also support your loved one by: Learning about bipolar disorder. The importance of support in bipolar disorder recovery People with bipolar disorder do better when they have support from family members and friends.

Your life is important to me. Find qualified doctors and therapists. Set up appointments and go along. Offer your insights to the doctor. Learn about their medications. Track treatment progress. Watch for signs of relapse. Alert the doctor to problems. Sleeping less Elevated mood Restlessness. Speaking rapidly Increase in activity level Irritability or aggression.

Fatigue and lethargy Sleeping more Trouble concentrating. Loss of interest in activities Withdrawing from others Change in appetite. Supporting someone who is manic Spend time with your loved one. People who are manic often feel isolated from other people.

Do you have anything else to add? Let us know in the comments below. Not just with mania but the depressive episodes, too. Or when I compulsively spend money. Or self-medicate with alcohol or working out. In addition, bipolar symptoms may occur during pregnancy or change with the seasons.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder can be difficult to identify in children and teens. It's often hard to tell whether these are normal ups and downs, the results of stress or trauma, or signs of a mental health problem other than bipolar disorder.

Children and teens may have distinct major depressive or manic or hypomanic episodes, but the pattern can vary from that of adults with bipolar disorder. And moods can rapidly shift during episodes. Some children may have periods without mood symptoms between episodes. The most prominent signs of bipolar disorder in children and teenagers may include severe mood swings that are different from their usual mood swings. Despite the mood extremes, people with bipolar disorder often don't recognize how much their emotional instability disrupts their lives and the lives of their loved ones and don't get the treatment they need.

And if you're like some people with bipolar disorder, you may enjoy the feelings of euphoria and cycles of being more productive. However, this euphoria is always followed by an emotional crash that can leave you depressed, worn out — and perhaps in financial, legal or relationship trouble. If you have any symptoms of depression or mania, see your doctor or mental health professional. Bipolar disorder doesn't get better on its own.

Getting treatment from a mental health professional with experience in bipolar disorder can help you get your symptoms under control. Suicidal thoughts and behavior are common among people with bipolar disorder. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, call or your local emergency number immediately, go to an emergency room, or confide in a trusted relative or friend. If you have a loved one who is in danger of suicide or has made a suicide attempt, make sure someone stays with that person.

Call or your local emergency number immediately. Or, if you think you can do so safely, take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room. Factors that may increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder or act as a trigger for the first episode include:.

Left untreated, bipolar disorder can result in serious problems that affect every area of your life, such as:. If you have bipolar disorder, you may also have another health condition that needs to be treated along with bipolar disorder.

Some conditions can worsen bipolar disorder symptoms or make treatment less successful. Examples include:. There's no sure way to prevent bipolar disorder. However, getting treatment at the earliest sign of a mental health disorder can help prevent bipolar disorder or other mental health conditions from worsening. If you've been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, some strategies can help prevent minor symptoms from becoming full-blown episodes of mania or depression:.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs mania or hypomania and lows depression. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Reilly-Harrington NA et al. Journal of Affective Disorders.