Bipolar Highs: Manic Episodes – Dangerous, And Why They Can Also Feel Oddly Brilliant

15 May 2025 Lyndon

Let’s talk about the highs. Not the “I’m having a good day” kind of high – the kind that flips your reality upside down, flips over a table and paints it neon. If depression is the slow, heavy pull of gravity, mania is the opposite. It’s a rocket. And you’re strapped in, not entirely sure whether you’re headed to the moon… or straight into a brick wall!

Mania is one of the defining features of bipolar disorder, particularly Bipolar I. But even people with Bipolar II, who experience a milder version called hypomania, will recognise some of the chaos (and strange appeal) that comes with it.

This post is about what it feels like, why it’s not just “a bit of extra energy,” and why, in the middle of it all, it can seem almost… wonderful.

So, What Is a Manic Episode?

A manic episode is a period of abnormally elevated mood, energy, or irritability, often lasting a week or more. It usually includes a combination of racing thoughts, inflated self-esteem, risky behaviour, sleeplessness, fast speech, and poor judgment.

You might feel brilliant. You might feel like the most brilliant person who ever lived. You might not feel like sleeping for five days. You might start seventeen projects, write a business plan, clean your entire house at 3 a.m., or spend your life savings on something you’ve convinced yourself is life-changing.

You might also become irritable, argumentative, reckless, or impossible to reason with. It can feel euphoric or terrifying – sometimes both.

What It Feels Like: The Inside View

From the outside, mania can look like someone is being loud, erratic, dramatic, maybe even dangerous.

From the inside, it can feel like this:

Your brain is on fire – but in a good way. Thoughts are coming in faster than you can speak them. Ideas feel revolutionary. You’re certain you’ve cracked some great truth that no one else sees.
Everything feels connected. The lights seem brighter, the music feels deeper, and conversations feel more profound. You might see “signs” or patterns in the world that seem to prove you’re on the right track.
You can’t stop moving – or talking. You’re energised, restless, unstoppable. People around you seem slow and boring.
Sleep feels optional. Who needs it? You’re powered by something bigger. Besides, you’ve got things to do.
You feel like the best version of yourself – for a while. You’re more confident, more productive, more creative. For people who live in the shadows of depression, this can feel like a long-awaited return to life.

But here’s the truth: it doesn’t stay brilliant for long.

The Hidden Dangers

Mania can be intoxicating. But it’s also dangerous. Here’s why:

Poor judgement and impulsivity. You might overspend, gamble, quit your job, have unsafe sex, or take risks you’d never normally consider. It feels logical at the time – even inspired – but the consequences can be serious and lasting.
Relationships suffer. You might argue more. Interrupt people. Dominate conversations. Make promises you can’t keep. People may not recognise you – or may feel hurt, scared, or pushed away.
You can lose touch with reality. In full-blown mania, psychosis can occur. You may believe things that aren’t true – that you have special powers, are receiving secret messages, or are being watched. This can lead to dangerous behaviour or hospitalisation.
The crash can be brutal. When mania ends, it often does so suddenly – dropping you into depression, exhaustion, or shame. You might not remember everything you said or did. Or you might remember all of it, in minute, excruciating detail.

This is why mania, for all its shine, is something to manage – not chase.

Hypomania: Mania’s Quieter Cousin

People with Bipolar II experience hypomania – a milder form of mania that typically doesn’t cause psychosis and often doesn’t need hospitalisation.

But don’t let “mild” fool you. Hypomania can still:

Make it hard to sleep or focus
Mess with your judgement
Lead to risky or impulsive choices
Disrupt relationships
Be followed by deep depression

The real risk with hypomania is that it often feels good – which means people don’t seek help, and patterns can go unchecked.

It’s like being in just enough sunlight to not notice you’re getting burned.

Why Some People Miss the Diagnosis

Many people aren’t diagnosed with bipolar until after years of depression – because that’s when they ask for help. Mania, especially hypomania, might go unreported or more often misunderstood.

Some reasons people don’t mention manic symptoms:

It feels good. Why report something that feels like a superpower?
It’s part of their personality. Fast talker? Creative mind? Night owl? It might seem “normal.” You might be in the “zone.”
They’re ashamed. After a manic episode, people often feel embarrassed about what they said or did.
They don’t remember. Some people experience memory gaps or downplay the episode later.

In short: mania is often missed, mislabelled, or ignored. But recognising it is key to managing bipolar effectively.

Learning to Recognise the Signs

Every person experiences mania differently, but here are some common signs to watch for:

Sudden bursts of energy or confidence
Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired
Racing thoughts or speech
Irritability or agitation
Risky behaviour or impulsive decisions
Over-involvement in new projects or plans
Feeling “chosen,” “brilliant,” or “invincible”
Difficulty listening or staying still
Over-spending or financial recklessness
Increased sexual energy or risky encounters

If this feels familiar – especially followed by periods of low mood – it’s worth speaking to a doctor or mental health professional. Mania is manageable, but only once it’s understood.

What Helps

Routine. Sleep, meals, and downtime are all anchors. Skipping sleep can trigger mania.
Medication. Mood stabilisers and antipsychotics can help manage manic episodes. Finding the right one takes time – but it’s worth it.
Monitoring your mood. Keeping a mood diary, using apps, or involving trusted friends can help spot early signs.
Setting up a plan. A care plan with your doctor (and support network) helps catch episodes early before they spiral.
Boundaries. When you’re manic, you may want to act on every thought. Learn to pause, question, and protect yourself – even from your own brilliance.

One Last Thought

Mania isn’t just “being hyper.” It’s not a joke or a mood you can shake off. It’s a powerful state that can both lift you up and pull your life apart. And yes – sometimes it feels amazing. That’s what makes it so tricky.

But once you learn to see it for what it is – not just energy, but a signal – you can start managing it. You can build tools, make safety nets, and protect the things you care about.

And when you do, the highs stop feeling like a trap door and start becoming something you can meet with clarity, not chaos.

Next up:

👉 Bipolar Depression – What It’s Really Like, and How to Get Through It

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Photo by Edrin Spahiu on Unsplash