Whether it’s to prevent misconceptions or experiences being minimised, or to highlight signs someone is entering a manic episode, being aware of the difference between joy and mania is valuable knowledge that could ensure people get the help they need…

If you live with bipolar disorder, a constant problem is learning to recognise whether you’re just feeling good, or in the early stages of hypomania or mania. Hypomania and mania can be sneaky, and creep up on you without you realising. One day you’re feeling productive and happy, then a few weeks later you find yourself in a full blown manic or hypomanic episode.

A sign of mania, for me, is reckless driving. It’s also extreme overspending, and finding myself in masses of debt that takes years to clear. It manifests as an irrational, intense anger toward everything and everyone. It’s believing I can rule the world, and anything is possible. It can also be hearing voices that boost my self-belief. But developing my self-understanding allowed me to recognise these personal warning signs; they can vary from person to person.

To delve into recognising the difference between feeling good and mania, I spoke to counselling psychologist and trauma specialist Dr Rebecca O’Sullivan.

“Feeling good usually refers to a state of happiness that most people experience from time to time. It is moderate in its intensity, and does not tend to last for an extended period of time,” Dr O’Sullivan explains. “When we are feeling happy, our daily functioning is not significantly affected, and we can continue with our usual activities without much disruption. Happiness typically arises from positive life events and experiences, and does not tend to follow any patterns of occurrence.”

On the other hand, Dr O’Sullivan describes mania and hypomania to be a level of mood elevation beyond what would be considered ‘normal’. “This is more intense than ‘feeling good’, in fact, some people describe the experience as euphoria,” she says. “This euphoria occurs as a recurring pattern of mood swings; in the case of bipolar disorder, it would alternate with episodes of depression. During hypomania/mania episodes, people tend to experience high energy levels and a sharp increase in productivity. Unlike happiness, this euphoric state is a more long withstanding experience, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.”

An important point to note, that many people may not realise, is that mania doesn’t always feel good. A common misconception is mania means you’re always the life of the party, feeling ecstatic, and full of energy and productivity. And yes, life does feel brighter, but it can be as self-destructive and life threatening as depression. It can feel so glaring and loud, like your senses are overloaded. It can be irritating and unpleasant. I will often feel like raging and screaming because of the pressure building inside of my head, but there’s no release valve.

Exploring this further, Dr O’Sullivan explains how hypomania/mania can have a significant impact on a person’s daily life. “During these times, some people notice an increase in risky behaviours, have trouble concentrating, racing thoughts, and difficulties sleeping. Understandably, this can have a marked impact on our ability to complete everyday tasks, and other important areas of life (e.g. relationships, work).

“It is interesting to note that – although it can occur spontaneously – hypomania/mania can also be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, substance abuse, or medication changes (which provides a contrast to the usual positive triggers of happiness or ‘feeling good’).”

Being conscious of potential triggers is always useful, as hypomania in its early stages can be difficult to spot as the lesser extreme of mania, but it is still serious and important to monitor. While experiencing it, your self-confidence is unbound, you feel constantly restless, and itching to start that new project you’ve been dreaming about. A good mood and hypomania can present as extremely similar to an outsider, and even the same to yourself.

I’ve personally experienced this scenario, and was in a hypomanic state when family and friends believed I was just happy. What they didn’t see was that I was constantly ‘on’, like a light with a faulty switch that can never be turned off until you fix the problem. It’s a dangerous time, as relentless energy pushes you on to do more and more. You may find it difficult to sleep or eat because your mind is so active; it needs to be satiated with action and excitement. If this isn’t addressed and treated, for some, hypomania can turn into mania.

💡
10 signs of mania/hypomania

Whether it’s awareness for yourself, or to help you be on the alert for loved ones, there are some common signs to watch out for, which Dr Rebecca O’Sullivan shares:

Elevated mood. Persistent feelings of euphoria or extreme happiness that last multiple days.

Increased energy. Unusually high levels of energy, even without sufficient rest and sleep.

Sleep. Feeling rested after only a few hours sleep, or after experiences of insomnia.

Racing thoughts. Quickly jumping from one idea to the next, difficulty staying on task.

Increased talkativeness. Speaking more rapidly than usual, engaging excessively in conversations, or interrupting others.

Grandiosity. Inflated sense of self-confidence, or beliefs around having special powers or abilities.

Impulsivity. Engaging in risky behaviours without considering the consequences, or impulsive decision-making.

Irritability. Becoming easily annoyed or angered over what would otherwise be considered minor issues.

Changes in behaviour or personality. Acting ‘out of character’ or behaving in a way that would be seen as unusual for the individual.

Increased libido. Heightened sexual desire, or engaging in risky sexual behaviours. 

One of these symptoms that particularly stands out to me is how someone experiencing mania/hypomania’s speech quickens, and they’re always waiting eagerly for their turn to talk. When they do, the speech is often pressured, and they may speak more than they usually do, or what feels like non-stop.

It’s worth noting that symptoms can differ from person to person, but if you’re exhibiting signs of experiencing hypomania/mania, it’s better to seek out help as soon as possible. A few key indicators that it’s time to reach out for professional help, according to Dr Rebecca O’Sullivan, include:

  • Symptom persistence
  • Interference with daily life
  • Risk of harm (to themselves or others)
  • Sleep disturbances (significant changes to sleep patterns, accompanied by other symptoms)
  • Concern from others (where external people have expressed concern about changes to your/their mood and behaviour)
  • A history of bipolar disorder (or they have previously experienced episodes of hypomania or mania).

Feeling good, happy, or optimistic are incredibly different emotions to hypomania/mania. While we all strive to feel good, or at least content, hypomania/mania are symptoms of being unwell, and can be unsettling, destructive, and even dangerous for the person experiencing them. But, by learning about the signs to watch out for, and seeking appropriate treatment, hypomania/mania can be managed and avoided, and individuals can thrive and learn to enjoy just ‘feeling good.’