Bipolar Disorder Manic Episode Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual changes in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out activities of daily living (NIMH, 2009). People with bipolar disorder usually experience “mood episodes” (NIMH, 2009). An excessively joyful or overexcited state is called a manic episode (NIMH, 2009). A manic episode is a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least a week and present for most of the day, nearly every day ( American Psychiatric Association). , 2013). Some symptoms present during a manic episode are increased self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, more talkativeness than usual, flight of ideas or subjective experience of racing thoughts, distractibility, increased goal-directed activity, and excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Medical treatments for people with manic episode bipolar disorder include medications and psychotherapy to prevent relapse and reduce the severity of symptoms (NIMH, 2009). Mood stabilizing medications are usually the first choice for treating someone suffering from bipolar disorder (NIMH, 2009). Anticonvulsants are also used to help control mood and are sometimes prescribed (NIMH, 2009). Lithium is often very effective in controlling the symptoms of mania and preventing recurrence of manic and depressive episodes (NIMH, 2009). Other treatments used for people with bipolar disorders are electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and sleep medications (NIMH, 2009). Research shows that the man with bipolar disorder... in the center of the card... helps George throughout his treatment and his family will also be educated about it. Real-life, stimulating environments will help George achieve his goal of returning to the community. References American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. Bipolar disorder. (2013). Retrieved from http://averaorg.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=10&pid=10&gid=000066http://averaorg.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=10&pid=10&gid=000066 Leahy, R. L. (2007). Bipolar disorder: causes, contexts and treatments. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(5), 417-424. Doi: 10.10002/jclp.20360 National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH]. (2009). Introduction: bipolar disorder. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml