How to Tell If You Have Had a Manic Episode

How to Tell If You Have Had a Manic Episode Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Mania and Hypomania Print Bipolar Mania Quiz By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on November 01, 2014 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on June 24, 2019 Bipolar Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Your Rights PM Images / The Image Bank / Getty Images Do you suspect that youve had periods of bipolar mania? Do you think you might be manic now? Use the checklist below to see how many symptoms of mania you have, and check your score at the end. The test is written as if you are currently experiencing symptoms. If youre concerned about symptoms youve had in the past, consider a period of at least one week when some symptoms from each group were present every day, for most of the day. Please note that this is not a formal diagnostic test. The results are intended for your use in talking to a doctor about your mental state. Bipolar Mania Self-Test Keep count of the number of questions where your answer is Yes in each group. Group 1 Have you had an unusual increase in energy and/or activity?Do you feel abnormally happy, even though nothing in your life can account for it? The happiness may have begun with something special, but the happiness has lasted longer than normal.Is your mood abnormally expansive?Are you abnormally irritable for no real reason? Group 2 These symptoms should represent a noticeable difference from your normal behavior or experience. Is your self-esteem higher than normal, or are you experiencing grandiosity?Do you feel rested with only a few hours of sleep?Are you talking more than usual, or do you frequently feel like you absolutely must keep talking?Do you have racing thoughts, or are you speaking extremely rapidly, jumping from topic to topic (flight of ideas)?Are you very easily distracted?Are you physically extremely restless, or are you plunging into projects on impulse (like painting your garage at 2 a.m., or suddenly inviting 20 people to dinner that night)?Are you taking foolish risks with little or no thought about consequences? Group 3 Are your behaviors causing serious difficulties in your life (for example, severe problems in relationships or at work or school)?Are you having hallucinations, or are you delusional?Have you had to be hospitalized because of your symptoms in order to prevent you from harming yourself or others? Scoring the Mania Self-Test Note: After you have scored your results, its essential to read about other important factors below. Group 1: 1 Yes 0 points 2 Yes 1 point Group 2: 1-2 Yes 0 points 3 Yes 1 point Group 3: 1 Yes 1 point Mania Self-Test Results In general, 3 points are necessary to be diagnosed as having a manic episode. However, the presence of a number of symptoms in any single group is an indication that youre in need of a mental health evaluation. Your doctor may still conclude that you have bipolar disorder. Other possibilities:You may be experiencing hypomania rather than mania.You may be having a mixed episode.You may have another illness such as schizophrenia or brief psychotic disorder. Other Important Factors You must also consider these elements: Did your symptoms begin with the use of an illegal drug? If Yes, a diagnosis of mania cant be confirmed, but you should seek treatment immediately.Did your symptoms begin after the use of a prescription medication or other medical treatment? If Yes, the presence or absence of bipolar mania must be evaluated by a doctor, but again, you should seek treatment immediately. In Conclusion The psychiatric symptoms listed above are always a cause for concern  and may indicate a manic episode. If you are troubled by any of them, seeking medical help is recommended. Remember, this test is not a diagnostic tool. Only a healthcare provider can diagnose mania.