Understanding Dysphoric Mania

A dysphoric mood can also be classified as mixed mania, a mood disorder related to bipolar disorder, which is why dysphoric mania is a former term of bipolar disorder. Dysphoric Mania is a mental condition whose symptoms are extreme joy and depression simultaneously. It is common for an individual suffering from depression and an agitated state to be violent towards their partner or even commit suicide because of their dysphoric mood.

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by an extreme change in an individual`s mood, making them feel elated and depressed. The majority of people with bipolar disorder experience dysphoric mood, which is a symptom of bipolar disorder. It is helpful to educate yourself about dysphoric mania symptoms so that bipolar patients can understand when they should seek advanced guidance for their dysphoric mood.

According to WebMD, dysphoric mania can feel like a manic episode, but with some symptoms of depression, like a negative mood and sadness. A dysphoric mood can manifest as depression but with extra energy, restlessness, and emotional discomfort. Your mind might be racing, and you could have trouble sleeping. On the other hand, you may also be feeling down on yourself and in a dysphoric mood.

Dysphoria is a concept that appears commonly in bipolar disorder literature.

According to the dictionary, dysphoria is described as the feeling of deep unease or dissatisfaction with one’s life, dysphoric mood. Dysphoria is a psychiatric concept that describes a severe depressive episode followed by psychotic psychosis (the loss of external reality). Due to this, a dysphoric mood is not considered a rational reaction to an event or stimulus but rather a sign of a constantly changing mood cycle that can bring profound emotional instability.

Simply put, dysphoria is an emotional detachment that has little to no connection to what is actually happening.

Dysphoria is linked to a variety of psychiatric and non-psychiatric disorders in addition to bipolar disorder. Schizophrenia, gender dysphoria, illegal drug use, and even premenstrual cycles are instances (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).

What Are the Symptoms of Dysphoric Mania?

Dysphoric manic episodes are intense periods of manic activity accompanied by on average two to four symptoms of dysphoric mood. DSM-IV defines them as part of the primary personality disorder spectrum.

One month is considered to be a minimum for a manic episode. During this period, manic episodes are characterized by irritability, excessive self-esteem, and dysphoric mood. In dysphoric mania, psychotic episodes may disguise their symptoms initially because it occurs during a depression episode of dysphoric mood.

The symptoms of Bipolar I disorder, which is usually a severe form of bipolar disorder, typically include obsessive-compulsive behaviors and dysphoric moods. It can also happen if you suffer from bipolar II disorder (bipolar episodes are not strong). Also, dysphoria, which is characterized by reduced periods of both mania and depression occurring in tandem, can result from the dysphoric mood.

A Depressed Period Is Characterized by the Following Symptoms, According to The Mayo Clinic:

• Sorrow
• Despondency
• Suicidal ideation or activity
• Apprehension
• Culpability
• Inability to sleep
• Appetite suppression or stimulation
• Tiredness
• Loss of interest in things that were once fun to the patient
• Concentration issues
• Irritableness
• Acute Pain that continues in the absence of an established cause

A Manic Period Is Indicated by the Following Symptoms:

• Elation
• Delusional self-esteem 
• Bad decision-making
• Quick  speech Uncontrollable Thoughts
• Aggressiveness
• Irritability or disturbance
• Heightened physical activity
• Dangerous behavior
• Changes in sleeping habits

Dysphoric Mania May be the Cause if you See a Lot of These Symptoms in Others.

Other Factors that Can Induce a Manic Episode Identical to Those of Dysphoric Mood Include:

• Alcoholism – The publishers also noted that drinking behavior has a huge connection to the stimulation of bipolar behavior.
• Genetic makeup -Several studies, such as this study published in the journal Synapse in 2017, suggest that our genes play a big role in determining how a person’s mood changes during dysphoric moods.
• Brain chemical imbalance
• Hormonal imbalance – our hormones greatly determine our daily mood. In the case of hormonal imbalance, one may experience
• External factors – factors such as mental stress, historical happening influence our behavior.  
• Use of stimulants, like nicotine or caffeine, increases the risk of mania
• Family history of bipolar disorder, poor sleep habits, poor nutritional habit

Other Possible Risk Factors of Mixed States in Bipolar Disorder Include:

• Changes in light intensity affect the sleep pattern and other aspects of a person’s psychological well-being.
• Mood change caused by certain medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants
• Less sleep

The Following Might Contribute to The Development of Bipolar Disorder:

• Brain structure
• Stress

To reverse the effects of dysphoric mania, it is necessary to understand how bipolar disorder switches between a stable mood state and a dysphoric mood state.

Dysphoric Mania Treatment

While dysphoric mood is more challenging to cure than other phases of bipolar disorder, many people find that mood stabilizers and anticonvulsants help them feel better. If you or your loved one is suffering from a dysphoric mood, the doctor may recommend trying various drug formulations before finding one suitable for your condition.

In addition to drug use, individual or group psychotherapy may aid in the recovery process from the dysphoric mood. Hospitalization may be needed to manage symptoms, especially if the person suffering is a threat to themselves or others.”

Dysphoric Mania Patients respond to treatment, but it also takes a longer period of trial and error before symptoms are alleviated. It is known as dysphoric mania when bipolar disorder has mixed characteristics. It is still possible for psychoanalysts to use this definition of dysphoric mood when treating their patients. Mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder are usually linked to certain health problems. Approximately 2.8% of American adults suffer from this disease. It is common for people living with bipolar disorder to experience mixed symptoms of dysphoric mood. Bipolar disorder with mixed features causes mania, hypomania, and depression at the same time. For example, mixed features can cause you to appear euphoric and teary simultaneously. It is also possible that your thoughts can run wild if you are tired. Treatment can be made more difficult when this occurs. Whenever Dysphoric Mania is being treated, there are commonly two forms of treatment. The following medications and non-medication treatments can be used to treat dysphoric mood.

The Medicated Forms of Treatment Include:

• Giving the patient mood stabilizers
• Enrolling the individual in physiotherapy

Other Medications Important in This Situation Include:

• Aripiprazole (Abilify)
• Asenapine (Saphris)
• Haloperidol
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Ziprasidone (Geodon)

Patients with dysphoric mania usually show great changes and acceptability of the drugs, but it takes trial and error until a perfect solution is found.

It is important to seek medical attention immediately you see some development of dysphoric mood. This is to reduce the risk posed to yourself and those around you if the symptoms worsen. MNT noted to Dr Grunebaum that treatment is easier when symptoms do not yet threaten the dysphoric mood of the individual.

The symptoms caused by the mania episodes may make an individual perform something they will regret later in life. Dysphoric mania may also cause the brain to become accustomed to it, making it difficult to handle the symptoms of chronic dysphoric mood. Dr. Noonan’s advice to people with the disorder is to: “Don’t give up, regardless of how bleak things seem.” If you suffer from symptoms of mania/depression, contact us so that we may help you gain insight and solutions to your disorder dysphoric mood.

Your specialist may ask you questions like what your past entails, including how your past life, where and any medications provided during the period. These assessments are mainly intended to provide insight into the best method for dysphoric mood therapy or medication.

You May Expect Your Doctor To:

• Request you to fill a questionnaire about your moods.
• See Your medical history so as ascertain any underlying health conditions and the type of medicine provided.
• Testing for hyperthyroidism, which causes mania symptoms.
• Ask about the worst-case scenario in your thoughts
• Ask if you have any thoughts of suicide

The Following Outlines Simplify the Non-Medicated Treatment Plan Further

• Express Yourself to Someone. Talk to your family members or friends you trust in, go out to group discussions with people who have the same problem as you, discuss it openly. To manage it better seeking a therapist.
• Educate Yourself About the Disorder. Read lots of books to educate yourself about the situation, listen to podcasts join mentor unions online. You will have gained enough knowledge to put its effects under control dysphoric mood through this.
• Predict It Using Past Experiences. Always keep yourself a record of each episode. Look back on how things were so that you can accurately predict the future.  
• Seek Medical Attention. make sure that you have immediately gone to your doctor or therapist so that he/she can guide you through the essential steps that are difficult to do alone.

Help Finding Dysphoric Mania Treatment

We all like to be comfortable knowing that we are receiving professional care and are in a dysphoric mood. In case you know of anyone, either your family member or friend, struggling with bipolar disorder, which includes dysphoric mania, call our toll free helpline now at 615-490-9376. Our staff is available 24 hours to help answer all your concerns and arrange for your treatment basing on dysphoric mood.