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The distinction between mania and joy is important to examine:
Everyone should be able to feel excited, joyous, and happy. Those of us who live with bipolar and therefore have experienced mania or hypomania (a milder form of mania), can feel scared when we start becoming “too” happy.
After my own diagnosis of bipolar, I realized I felt scared every time I was happy. I was afraid that maybe this would turn into mania again, and I didn’t want that to happen. But I think we need to recognize that there is a huge difference between bipolar mood episodes and joyful feelings when in a state of mood stability—and that difference is pretty clear.
When we’re unable to function in society, that’s when it’s mania, and that’s when it becomes clinical. And note that I said “in society.” It’s not just within ourselves.
For example, we might think, “I may be talking really fast, but I can understand myself.” But, if other people can’t understand you and you’re making other people miserable, then you know your emotional state has shifted to a change in mood.
In other words, your joy has reached the clinical level of mania. Generally, when it does, it also interferes with your ability to function and do what you would normally do.
There’s another a big difference between mania and joy: joy is defined by happiness and euphoria—whereas mania isn’t just euphoric.
There is euphoric mania, and there is dysphoric mania. Dysphoric mania is associated with strong feelings of restlessness and agitation—it’s not euphoria at all. Anybody who has ever experienced dysphoric mania with mixed episodes knows that it does not feel good, and it’s not something to pursue.
But just knowing the difference between mania and joy is not the point. The main takeaway is this: Don’t become so cautious that you do not allow yourself to be joyous and happy. Even if you’re happier than other people some of the time, that’s totally fine—as long as it’s not interfering with your ability to function.
In the comments below, let us know your experience with mania, and how you distinguish it from your basic emotional expression of joy. And, until next month, take care.
CREDITS: All A/V (videography, audio, etc.) courtesy of Matthew Lenard.
Originally posted February 8, 2017
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I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago after having my child. Bipolar disorder runs in my family and I feel like I had manic episodes through my 20’s, but depression episodes didn’t hit until after having my son. Because of this diagnosis I am much more aware of my moods. After several different medications I finally think I’m on the right cocktail…..OR I’m manic. I go back and forth trying to figure out if I’m genuinely happy and my meds are working or mania is happening. Which also scares me because if I’m manic, then my meds must not be working, and depression and anxiety could be right around the corner. I feel like I’m new enough that I will gradually get a better handle on being able to tell the difference, but for now I am just doing my best to not overthink it.
I have rapid cycling bipolar I with mixed episodes. I know I’m manic and not just happy as the mania reaches a peak and I feel overstimulated and everything around me feels too vivid. The worse it ever got was when I was so manic and overstimulated that even a knock at the door threw me into a rage episode and quickly turned the increasing mania into severe depression. I know that I’m truly experiencing joy and happiness when I feel grounded and stable and can appreciate the joy around me without it escalating.
I went with my daughter, who for reasons that we worked out I had only been able to communicate and visit with her once in 2 years. My daughter is 28 years old and we played a round of mini-golf. I had like 6 hole in ones on 18 holes of mini-golf. I was so excited to just get out and be with m daughter that I did that thing where I just felt like I was drunk. At least it felt like that to me. I started talking too fast, could not remember words, could not get the words out. I don’t know what happens to me, but I guess this happens more than once when I get overstimulated or experience joy. Anybody else?
Wow, did this ever come at a perfect time! To answer your question, I know I’m in the midst of full-blown hypomania when I can’t sleep and don’t need sleep. If I get tired, I’m so relieved! Right now, I’m feeling physically and emotionally better after months of physical pain and I have ideas that I want to put into action. But since the one main idea has been in the thinking-about-it stage for almost a year, I believe this is not the product of hypomania – just trying to make up for lost time!
When I am manic I have this overwhelming connection to the universe. Everything thing around me, whether it be the radio, t.v., or just talking to someone somehow correlates with my inner thoughts. When I experience this, it comes with paranoia, irritability, and my eating patterns are thrown off. I feel like that if I eat I am satisfied and the connection to the universe is blocked. When I am not manic and experience joy and happiness, usually it is spontaneous and not relying on paranoid thoughts coming to fruition. True happiness for me is family time or serving at church. When having Bipolar 1 the moments of having pure bliss are far and few between so I try my hardest to enjoy these special occasions.