Ailments and Situations - Manic-Depressive Disorder - Manic Phase

 
Manic Phase

The manic phase has at least one distinct episode with a predominantly elevated, expansive, hyperactive, or irritable mood that may be violent. The elevated mood may be persistent or alternate and coincide with depression. In addition, there is a period of three weeks or more (or duration of any period of time if hospitalization is required) where, for most of the time, at least three of the following symptoms have been present (four if the patient has only been irritable) and have persisted to a significant degree:

1. Increased physical activity or physical restlessness; increased libido.
2. More talkative than usual or increased pressure or drive to keep talking; increased interest in new people, activities or creative interests.
3. Self-perceived awareness that the mind is racing.
4. Grandiosity (inflated self-esteem) that may be delusional.
5. Weight loss; decreased need for sleep or insomnia.
6. Easily distracted: attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli.
7. Unrecognized involvement in behaviours or actions that are risky, such as reckless driving, shopping sprees, sexual promiscuity, et cetera.