Mania, or a manic episode, is defined when a person shows the mentioned symptoms over a period of at least 7 days. Signs of a manic episode are:

• High energy and acute activity
• Excessively good mood
• Irritability for impatience
• Erratic talking
• Inability to concentrate
• Little need for sleep
• Feelings of power
• Poor judgment
• Inattentive
• Heavy careless spending
• High sex drive
• Alcohol or drug abuse

Bipolar Depression refers to when a person experiences persistent sad mood, lack of energy in the body and interest in activities which were considered pleasurable. If the mentioned symptoms are observed in a person for a period of 2 weeks or more then its important to consult the doctor.

• Sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of emptiness
• Feelings of guilt, feeling worthless or feeling helpless
• The trouble with concentration or memory
• Thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts or attempts
• Pain or other physical symptoms not explained by an illness or injury
• Hopelessness
• Low energy
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Disturbances in sleep. need for less sleep or no sleep
• Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable, such as sex

Bipolar Disorder Treatment
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness. A person during the illness may not know that he/she is has a mood-related disorder. But the changes in the person’s mood, behaviour and thoughts can be observed by the others. Due to illness disturbances in routine, relationships and workplace are often observed.

For the management of the symptoms, hospitalization is recommended when the symptoms are moderate to severe or if the patient is refusing treatment(commonly arising out of partial insight about being ill or psychotic features i.e. believing the symptoms to be caused by another person with an intent to harm or by some supernatural phenomenon. Also when there is a risk to self and others, inpatient treatment helps manage it better. Scientifically more the number of episodes, more is the required duration of medication. Frequently missing doses and not taking the treatment as per advise of the doctor increases the chances of longer treatment, resistance to medications, suicide, family disruptions, legal complications, rapid cycling episodes, mixed episodes and poor prognosis in long term.