What Does a Manic Episode Feel Like?

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder—or if you’re thinking that bipolar disorder might be a factor in how you’re feeling— you might wonder what a manic episode feels like. Individuals experiencing mania will typically have an abnormally high amount of energy, to the point where they don’t need as much sleep.

They can also experience strong emotions, like euphoria, irritability, and agitation. Their thoughts might be racing, jumping quickly from topic to topic.

Understanding what a manic episode feels like can help you identify when you or your loved one might be experiencing mania.

This can help you to be more compassionate toward yourself, better advocate for yourself when navigating a diagnosis, and be aware of when you might need to adjust medication doses or incorporate different coping strategies. If someone you care about experiences mania, then knowing what does a manic episode feel like can help you better support them and understand what they’re going through. 

What is a Manic Episode?

A manic episode is a period of increased energy and heightened mood. The intensity of symptoms can vary from person to person. However, manic episodes can impact your day-to-day life. They might make it difficult to keep up with responsibilities like work and school. They can also make it difficult to maintain relationships.

How Long Manic Episodes Typically Last

How long a manic episode lasts can depend. Typically, manic episodes last at least 7 days. However, without treatment, they can last up to three to six months. Sometimes, you might notice warning signs before the manic episode begins.

Some people are able to reduce their manic symptoms or stop manic episodes altogether by using tools like maintaining a routine, getting proper sleep, medications, and working with their doctors and therapists.

What a Manic Episode Can Feel Like

Manic episodes can lead to physical symptoms. You may feel a surge of energy, be restless, and notice changes in your eating and sleeping habits.

Overwhelming Energy

During a manic episode, you often have increased energy. This is more than just feeling a normal burst of energy. Instead, you often have so much energy that you don’t need much sleep. Some people say that they initially feel “better than ever.”

When we’re entering a manic episode, we might feel unstoppable, like we can finally tackle everything that we need to do. But, as the manic episode continues, the energy levels can start to be too much. It can make us feel like we can’t control ourselves or focus on one thing at a time.

Reduced Need for Sleep

Most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. However, when you’re in a manic episode, you might only sleep 2-3 hours a night or not sleep at all. But, you won’t experience the grogginess, fatigue, or foggy feeling that you might have after getting a bad night’s sleep. Instead, you might feel euphoric or excited.

Some people also comment that sleeping feels like a waste of time when they’re manic. Because they have so many ideas and are feeling creative and energized, they couldn’t imagine stopping what they’re doing to lie down.

Racing Heart

Although not experienced by everyone, some individuals experiencing mania will experience physical symptoms, like a racing heart.

This can feel as though your heart is pounding in your chest, or you might notice a fluttering sensation. It might feel as though you’ve just done an intense workout, even when you’re sitting still.

Physical Restlessness

Physical restlessness experienced as a result of a manic episode can make it feel like you can’t sit still. When we have this constant need to move, we might pace, fidget, or look for something to keep us physically busy, like cleaning.

It can also be common to bounce between different activities. This physical restlessness can feel uncomfortable. Some people comment that they feel a tingling or buzzing sensation, almost like they are full of electricity.

Changes in Appetite and Physical Awareness

Manic episodes can impact your appetite in a couple of different ways. Some people may feel hungrier than normal. They might eat impulsively, grabbing quick meals and snacks without stopping what they’re doing.

Eating can feel uncontrollable, and we might eat more indulgent foods, like sweets and other treats, more than we typically would. Other people find that they don’t have as much of an appetite. Because they’re so busy, they might forget to eat, or they might not feel like they need to. 

Mental and Emotional Changes Experienced During Mania

Signs of mania in bipolar disorder include mental and emotional changes like racing thoughts and an irritated mood.

Racing Thoughts and Flight of Ideas

Racing thoughts are common with manic episodes. You might feel as though your mind won’t turn off, and that you are constantly thinking of different ideas, with little connection between them.

You might have several creative ideas, or replay different situations in your head in different ways. Some people also engage in fantasizing, such as making up stories in their heads. When we have these racing thoughts, it can feel like we’re not able to keep up with our own thoughts or like we can’t shut our brains off to focus on one idea at a time.

Elevated Mood and Inflated Self-Confidence

With mania, your mood is typically elevated. This is more than just feeling happy. You might feel euphoric or overly excited. You can also have an inflated sense of self-confidence. It can be hard to tell the difference between healthy self-confidence and inflated self-confidence.

A good differentiating factor is that, when manic, individuals tend not to put as much planning into their activities and ideas. We might not take the time to consider the pros and cons of our idea before acting, or we might ignore the potential risks altogether. 

Irritability

Irritability is another way that elevated mood is expressed. While it's typical for us all to feel irritable from time to time, irritability with mania typically lasts longer. 

You may feel overwhelmed by bright lights or loud noises. You might also feel impatient while stuck in traffic or waiting for someone to finish talking. Things that typically don’t bother you do, and you feel like you have a short fuse.

Emotional Volatility

When you’re manic, it can be difficult to regulate your emotions. Your emotions can change quickly. You might go from feeling happy and excited to being irritable or even angry.

You might even notice that you feel emotions more intensely than other people. In fact, you might even be aware that you’re having these strong emotional reactions but aren’t able to control them. 

Behavioural Changes and Social Impact

When you’re in a manic state, feelings of euphoria may make it difficult to recognize that you’re experiencing mania. Sometimes, your friends and family members might notice changes in your behavior before you do.

Increased Talkativeness and Social Behavior

Because your mind is racing, people around you might notice that you’re talking “a mile a minute.” Our friends and family members might notice that it’s difficult to follow our train of thought or that we’re jumping between topics.

They might also notice that we’re interrupting others in a way that we wouldn’t normally. We might also be more social than normal, foregoing sleep and responsibilities to keep socializing. 

Risky Decision-Making and Impulsivity

Mania can cause impulsivity, which can lead to making risky decisions. Because you feel euphoric and unstoppable, you might engage in behavior that you wouldn’t normally engage in. This often means acting without considering the possible outcomes or thinking about the pros and cons.

The behavior can feel urgent, and you’re certain that things will go well. Some people might gamble, quit their jobs, break the law, or engage in risky sex (like unprotected sex with strangers).

Work and Relationship Disruptions

Mania can impact both work and your relationships. Because your mind is working so quickly, it can be difficult to focus on a single work task. We might also ignore the deadlines and instructions given to us because we feel that our ideas are better. Some people skip their work shifts altogether. 

Our behavior when we’re manic can also impact our relationships. Irritability and quick changes in mood may hurt or confuse our loved ones. We may also engage in risky behavior that affects the trust that our partner has in us, or not recognize the social cues that other people are giving us. Communicating with your loved ones and creating a plan for when you’re experiencing mania can help. 

Warning Signs and Early Intervention

Knowing how to recognize a manic episode can help you better understand why you might be feeling the way that you do and take action to care for yourself.

Identifying Personal Manic Episode Triggers

What triggers a manic episode is often unique to you, so you often need to do a bit of investigation to see what might be triggering you.

You might even ask your loved ones to help you, as they may be able to see outward signs before you notice what you’re experiencing internally. Knowing your mania triggers can help you prepare for manic episodes and reduce their impact. Some people are able to stop their manic episodes altogether.

Common triggers include:

• Highly stimulating environments, such as concerts
• Major life stressors, such as losing your job or the death of a loved one
• Significant life changes, like starting a new job or moving
• Not getting enough sleep
• Skipping medication doses or stopping medication altogether
• Using substances like drugs and alcohol
• Consuming too much caffeine
• Seasonal changes, as manic episodes tend to peak during the spring and summer months
• Hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or menopause
• International travel
• Certain medications (i.e. SSRIs and stimulants) 

Tracking Mood Changes and Patterns

Keeping track of your mood changes can help you understand how bipolar disorder affects your life. It also provides useful information to manage your symptoms better. You’ll want to track your sleep, mood, and stress levels.

You can do this in a notebook, print off a tracker, or use an app. This can also give your doctor and other mental health professionals that you’re working with insight into how your treatment is working and if anything needs to be adjusted.

When to Seek Immediate Help

There are a few situations where bipolar disorder may become a mental health crisis. These include:

• Having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself or others 
• Experiencing hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) or delusions (believing things that aren’t true)
• Engaging in dangerous or risky behavior, such as driving recklessly or using drugs or alcohol excessively

If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these manic episode symptoms, call 911 or contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Getting Professional Support and Treatment

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it can be overwhelming, and you might feel unsure about what to expect. But receiving early, comprehensive treatment can help reduce the severity of bipolar disorder and help with long-term quality of life.

Finding the Right Mental Health Professional

When looking for help with bipolar disorder, you’ll want to work with a professional who has experience working with individuals with bipolar disorder. You’ll always want to ensure that it is someone you feel comfortable with.

Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder

Treatment for bipolar disorder can help reduce the frequency and duration of episodes and improve how you function and feel on a daily basis. Treatment options include:

• Psychotherapy: Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy involves working with a counselor to learn coping methods. For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often recommended for bipolar disorder. It helps you identify negative thoughts, track your mood, and reduce risky behaviors.
• Medication: Mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics can be used to treat bipolar disorder.
• Healthy lifestyle habits: Along with therapy and medication, healthy lifestyle habits can help manage symptoms. This includes good sleep hygiene, eating balanced meals, and managing stress.

Bottom Line

Manic episodes can look a little different for everyone. Some people might experience increased energy and an elated mood.

Others might deal with irritability and extreme restlessness. Knowing how to recognize a manic episode can help you identify when you or someone you care about might need to ask about adjusting their treatment plan or developing a crisis plan. It can also help you have a better understanding of what mania looks and feels like, so you can show more compassion towards yourself or your loved one. 

References

Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Mania: What is it, causes, triggers, symptoms & treatment. Health Library. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21603-mania

Cordeiro, C. R., & Proudfoot, J. G. (2023). Triggers for acute mood episodes in bipolar disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 320, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.04.014

Dailey, M. W., & Saadabadi, A. (2023, July 17). Mania. In StatPearls (Internet). Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493168/

Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff, & Clinical Review Board. (2024, July 31). Bipolar disorder: Helping someone during a manic episode. MyHealth Alberta. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=aa167725

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2024, August 14). Bipolar disorder – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2021, June 28). What is mania, and what does it mean to have a manic episode? Here’s what experts say. NAMI. Retrieved August 21, 2025, from https://www.nami.org/in-the-news/what-is-mania-and-what-does-it-mean-to-have-a-manic-episode-heres-what-experts-say/