Mania

From ArticleWorld

Mania is a mood disorder that is characterized by profound euphoria, which may sound desirable, but can be very unpleasant and frightening. The classic condition encompassing mania is bipolar disorder, or manic depression, but it may result from other diseases as well.

Mania may be experienced at the same time as depression in a condition known as dysphoric mania. This condition has lead some to speculate that mania and depression are two extremes on the same continuum rather than two separate disorders. Hypomania is considered to be a less dangerous cousin to mania in that the symptoms are not as acute and the individual is able to exercise more control over them. However, while it is characterized by milder symptoms on a day to day basis, it has severe consequences over the long term such as a high rate of suicide among the sufferers.

Symptoms

A person suffering from mania is usually very energetic to the point of being hyper- sexual, hyper- religious and hyperactive. There is a decreased perception in the need for sleep and, after a few days, a sleep-deprived psychosis results. The person may be irritable and belligerent, leading to problems in their personal life and work. Manic behaviour involves taking uncharacteristic risks in financial or legal dealings and in arguments.

There is also a risk of the behaviour becoming harmful either to the person suffering from the condition or to others.

Treatment

Treatment of the condition is a combination of psychotherapy and medication. The medication consists of mood stabilizers and, in some cases, antipsychotic drugs as well. In the case of the latter, however, care needs to be taken to avoid complications. Once the symptoms have subsided, long-term treatment is usually necessary to avoid relapses.