Mania and hypomania are periods when a person feels full of energy, elated and very active. Both mania and hypomania are associated with bipolar disorder but any person can experience them.
Hypomania is a milder episode of mania, which can involve:
- having a higher mood than usual
- feeling overconfident
- higher energy levels without a clear cause
- feeling more irritable or behaving rudely
- being more talkative than usual
- having a stronger desire for sex than usual
- feeling the need to sleep less than usual for you
A person with hypomania may be able to continue with their normal activities. Others may notice a change in their behaviour, but the person might not. However, hypomania can have negative effects on a person’s wellbeing and cause them to take dangerous risks.Â
Mania has similar symptoms to hypomania, but is a lot more extreme. A person with mania will not be able to carry on as usual and may need to go to hospital. A person with mania may also experience delusions, hallucinations or manic stupor.
More information and support:
Aware provides information and support to people experiencing aspects of bipolar disorder and their family members.Â
Website: aware.ie
Shine is a national organisation that provides information and support to people affected by bipolar disorder and other mental health difficulties, as well as their families.Â
Website: shine.ie
If you’re thinking about suicide or self-harm or if you need help right away, call 999 or 112
There are also specific support lines that you can call:
Samaritans Ireland – 116 123
Pieta House – 1800 247 247
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Childline 24 Hour Listening can also be contacted by any child or young person by calling 1800 66 66 66, texting to 50101 or chatting online at Childline.ie 24 hours a day, every day.
