What are the manifestations of mania in the elderly?

In general, manic episodes in the elderly are mainly characterized by impulsive behaviors, elevated mood, increased speech and activity, sleep disturbances, and psychomotor agitation. If any discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Impulsive behaviors

Elderly individuals with mania may exhibit impulsive behaviors that can occur in any situation, such as rash decisions, excessive spending, or risky actions. These behaviors are often unpredictable and may have adverse consequences for the patient or others.

2. Elevated mood

Patients often experience an abnormally cheerful mood and an exaggerated sense of well-being, even when circumstances do not justify such feelings. They frequently appear elated, mentally overactive, and tireless.

3. Increased verbal activity

Mania increases excitability of the central nervous system, accelerating thought processes and leading to excessive talking. Patients may speak incessantly, although their thoughts are often disorganized and incoherent.

4. Sleep disturbances

Mania causes overactivity of the central nervous system, disrupting sleep regulation mechanisms and resulting in difficulty falling asleep or light, fragmented sleep. Patients may wake up frequently during the night or awaken early, leading to poor sleep quality.

5. Psychomotor agitation

Patients actively seek social interaction, even becoming overly familiar with strangers. They tend to act without careful consideration, spend money recklessly, are excessively active, feel no fatigue, meddle in others' affairs, and show a strong sense of injustice. Their energy levels appear unusually high.

Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits is important. Attention should be paid to medication management, daily life regulation, and emotional adjustment to avoid hindering recovery.