The term manic attacks is not commonly used by mental health professionals. Manic episodes, mania, and episodes of mania are typical terms used to describe periods of mania.
People with bipolar disorder typically have times when their mood is stable. When they experience symptoms of mania, some people may refer to this as a manic attack.
When people have a manic episode, they experience a persistently elevated or irritable mood. Symptoms of mania must last at least two weeks or be severe enough to require hospitalization for the symptoms to be considered a manic episode.
Four other symptoms of mania in addition to an irritable mood are required for it to be considered a manic episode. An elevated mood only requires three additional symptoms of mania to constitute a manic episode.
Increased talkativeness, inflated self-esteem, distractibility, flight of ideas or racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, increased focus on achieving goals, and excessive pleasure-seeking activity without regard to the consequences are symptoms of mania.
For the mania symptoms to be considered for a bipolar diagnosis, the symptoms must interfere with a person's daily life and ability to function normally. The symptoms cannot be caused by a physical illness, drugs, or medications to be considered symptoms of mania.
When someone has a manic episode, the person is often diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. Many effective treatment methods can help a person managed to this disorder. Mood-stabilizing medication and cognitive behavioral therapy are common treatment methods for bipolar I disorder.
Some people may use the term manic attacks to describe the onset of symptoms of mania. Others may be confusing symptoms of mania with symptoms of a panic attack. A panic attack is an abrupt, and sometimes severe, episode of anxiety symptoms such as feelings of dread, increased heart rate, and shallow breathing.
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