A strange condition where happiness and sadness come together: Let's talk about Dysphoric Mania!

If you have bipolar disorder , you probably experience periods of extreme happiness (mania) and periods of extreme sadness (depression). But have you ever felt both at the same time, on the same day? It's like feeling incredibly energetic while feeling incredibly sad and empty. That's what we call dysphoric mania in medicine. Some people also call it a "mixed state." While it used to be thought of as a rare condition, we now know that this experience is common in about 40% of people with bipolar disorder.

What are these symptoms?

Dysphoric mania is a combination of symptoms of mania and symptoms of depression, or they alternate very rapidly. These symptoms can be present throughout the day, almost every day, for a week or two or even longer.

Simply understand, look at the difference between these two characteristics.

How does this really feel?

Imagine that you feel a surge of energy in your body, but at the same time, an unbearable sadness and anxiety come from within. Thousands of thoughts are running through your head, and you can't sleep . But at the same time, you feel sorry for yourself, and life seems meaningless. This is a very stressful, difficult to understand, and confusing experience.

Your family and friends can easily see this change in you. They may also have a hard time understanding you.

What are the things we need to pay attention to?

This is the most important part of this article.

The biggest risk of dysphoric mania is the increased risk of suicidal thoughts . This is because you have the hopelessness of depression combined with the high energy of mania. This can lead to you acting out on impulse.

So if you are having thoughts that make you feel like you are bored with life, please don't suffer alone. See your doctor immediately. Or talk to someone you trust about this. This condition can also be related to other problems such as anxiety disorders and substance abuse.

What are the treatments for this?

There are effective treatments for this condition. So don't worry. Your doctor will prescribe medication to help manage this condition. Often, this will involve a combination of one or more medications, such as mood stabilizers and antipsychotics .

It is also very useful to resort to talk therapy along with medication.

Other treatments

In cases where it is difficult to control with medication alone, the doctor may refer you to other treatment methods.

• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): This involves putting you under anesthesia and sending very small electrical pulses to your brain. This is a very safe and fast-acting treatment .
• Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS): A treatment that uses magnetic waves to stimulate nerve cells in the brain.
• Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): A method in which a device similar to a pacemaker is implanted in the body and sends subtle electrical signals to the brain.
• Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): A method of surgically implanting electrodes in specific locations in the brain to control abnormal brain activity.

Things you can do yourself

While receiving treatment , there are several things you can do to manage this condition.

• Talk to someone: Don't fight these things alone. Talk to a friend or family member you trust. It's a great idea to join a support group with people who have bipolar disorder like you. Talking to a therapist can be a great way to help you manage your condition.
• Be aware of this: Be aware of this condition. Read reliable articles and blogs online. The more you understand about it, the easier it will be to live with it.
• Start a "mood journal": This is very important. Get a book and write down your daily feelings, moods, and symptoms. Over time, you will understand what triggers your mood and what warning signs you have before it starts. Increasing self-awareness in this way is a great way to control your symptoms .

Dysphoric Mania, Bipolar, Bipolar Disorder, mixed state, mental health, depression, mania