What are the symptoms of mania?
Nov 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Baohua
Introduction
Symptoms of mania generally include elevated or irritable mood, excessive excitement, abnormally increased energy, accelerated thought processes, increased activity levels, and inflated self-esteem. Patients often exhibit persistent feelings of euphoria and excitement, with minimal mood fluctuations and a predominantly positive emotional state. They may laugh or cheer without apparent reason and show great enthusiasm toward their surroundings. However, this mood can quickly shift to irritability in response to minor provocations.
Manic episode symptoms generally include elevated and excited mood, abnormally increased energy, accelerated thought processes, increased activity, and inflated self-perception. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Elevated and excited mood: Patients often exhibit persistent feelings of euphoria and excitement, with minimal mood fluctuations and predominantly positive emotions. They may laugh or cheer without apparent reason and show great enthusiasm toward surroundings. However, such moods can quickly turn irritable over minor issues, leading to brief episodes of agitation or arguments.
2. Abnormally increased energy: Patients require significantly less sleep—often only 3–4 hours per night—yet still feel energetic without experiencing fatigue. They can remain active for extended periods during the day, continue working or socializing even after staying up late, and find it difficult to rest quietly.
3. Accelerated thought processes: Patients experience rapid thinking, speak faster than usual, and produce abundant but often illogical speech. "Flight of ideas" is common, where they abruptly shift from one topic to another before finishing the previous one, making it difficult for others to follow their train of thought. Some patients may also develop cognitive disturbances such as hallucinations or delusions.
4. Increased activity: Daily activities and behaviors are markedly increased. Patients may frequently shop, socialize, or participate in various events, and may engage in impulsive actions such as unplanned investments or reckless driving, demonstrating a lack of rational judgment.
5. Inflated self-perception: Patients excessively overestimate their abilities and status, believing they possess special talents or powers. They often exaggerate their achievements, claiming they can easily accomplish tasks far beyond their actual capabilities, and strongly resist others' doubts or advice, exhibiting intense self-centeredness.
Upon noticing the above symptoms, it is important to promptly accompany the patient to a psychiatric department for professional evaluation and diagnosis. Once diagnosed, treatment should be strictly followed as prescribed, with regular follow-up visits to help stabilize the patient's emotional state.
