Mania

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Mania

Mania is a persistently elevated, irritable, or elated mood. Mania occurs in some mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder, and also can result from diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, or develop as a side effect of some medicines, such as steroids or antidepressants.

Other characteristics of mania include:

Inflated self-esteem or unrealistic feelings of importance.
Decreased need for sleep.
Talking more than usual.
Racing thoughts or being easily distracted by unimportant things.
An increased focus on reaching job or personal goals.
Involvement in irresponsible activities that might have dangerous consequences, such as engaging in increased sexual activity, making foolish business deals, or spending large sums of money.

Mania is usually treated with professional counseling and medicines, such as mood stabilizers. If mania is caused by a reaction to a medicine, it usually goes away when the person stops taking the medicine.

Credits

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Author	Jeannette Curtis
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Last Updated	March 14, 2008

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Last updated:	March 14, 2008
Author:	Jeannette Curtis
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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