hand, many are discreet. An increased energy, activity and restlessness occur, along with .
racing thoughts and rapid talking. A person experiencing mania has an excessive "high", .
or euphoric outlook on life, and an unrealistic belief in their own abilities and powers. .
This person may also have a decreased need for sleep. Many times a person in the manic .
stage is extremely irritable and easily distracted. This person shows poor judgment and a .
period of behavior that is different from their usual self. A manic person also experiences .
an increase in sexual drive, abuse of drugs, aggressive behavior, and a denial that .
anything is wrong. These can all be signs of a problem and could possibly be life .
threatening. People with this disorder do not recognize how impaired they may be. They .
sometimes blame their problems on some other cause than a mental illness. For this .
reason people with bipolar disorder need encouragement from their family and friends to .
seek treatment.
Hypomania.
An early sign of bipolar disorder can be hypomania. During this state a person shows a .
high level of energy, excessive moodiness or irritability, and impulsive or reckless .
behavior. When family and friends learn to recognize these mood swings, the person will .
deny that anything is wrong. This is due to the fact that hypomania can feel good to the .
person experiencing it. .
Treatment.
Treatments such as electroconvulsive therapy can improve the mental state of those .
with this disorder. If a person experiencing bipolar disorder does not receive treatment, .
the disorder can become worse. It could even break out into mania and a clinical .
depression. Thoughts of death and suicidal tendencies are common among those with .
bipolar disorder. The constant nagging notion that it is an easy way out of a world filled .
with pain and hardships is hard to ignore. A sense of hopelessness and failure can make .
suicide out to be a way to cure the pain and free the individual from the tragedies of their .
