Can someone experience a manic state if they are not bipolar?

Question

I have Recurrent Major Depressive Disorder, and sometimes - but not often at all - I feel like I have a somewhat manic state. It is very very rare, but it happens once in a while. It usually happens after I've felt very down for quite some time, and then suddenly, out of the blue, I feel like I'm SO happy, but in an agitated sort of, almost annoying way. My mind goes ten million miles an hour, I talk fast, and I don't sleep and I get LOTS done.

Then, after feeling this way for maybe a day (or not even a whole day), I'll crash BIG TIME. I will feel the worst depression ever in my life after that.

Is this a brief episode of bipolar or something, even though I'm not normally bipolar? Or is this normal with regular depression?

Answer 1

Bipolar Disorder, as defined in the DSM-IV-TR, is diagnosed when there has been at least one episode of mania or hypo-mania. Mania can last a short time, if it is less than a week, it is called hypo-mania. It is possible to have substance abuse states that are like mania, particularly with stimulant drugs, many people seek a mild hypo-manic like state every morning with coffee. This is not mania. It is possible to have a medical condition that will produce a manic like state. This happened to my elderly father, who never had bipolar disorder, after surgery but it was diagnosed as delirium.

What you describe very well could be mania in which case you have Bipolar Disorder. Go tell your psychiatrist at your next visit. Antidepressants without a mood stabilizer can make you very ill and provoke manic episodes. You need to be on the right medication. Discuss Lamictal and Lithium with your psychiatrist as they both have a strong antidepressant affect, but is also are mood stabilizer. You psychiatrist may have other medications to discuss with you as well.

There is a theory of kindling in Bipolar Disorder and the idea is that every episode of mania that you have does permanent brain damage and makes you worse in the long run, mostly from depression symptoms that never fully go away. I hope this helps. Here are some links. Take care of yourself.

Here are a couple of free screenings for Bipolar Disorder:
Goldberg Bipolar Screening Quiz http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/bipolarquiz.htm
Free screenings at Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance:
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_screening_screeningcenter

From their http://www.dbsalliance.org Website:
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression) is a treatable illness marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy and behavior. It is not a character flaw or a sign of personal weakness.  Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between the "poles" of mania (highs) and depression (lows). This change in mood or "mood swing" can last for hours, days weeks or months.
Bipolar disorder affects more than two million adult Americans. It usually begins in late adolescence (often appearing as depression during teen years) although it can start in early childhood or later in life. An equal number of men and women develop this illness (men tend to begin with a manic episode, women with a depressive episode) and it is found among all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes. The illness tends to run in families and appears to have a genetic link. Like depression and other serious illnesses, bipolar disorder can also negatively affect spouses and partners, family members, friends and coworkers.
Symptoms
Bipolar disorder differs significantly from clinical depression, although the symptoms for the depressive phase of the illness are similar. Most people who have bipolar disorder talk about experiencing "highs" and "lows"---the highs are periods of mania, the lows periods of depression. These swings can be severe, ranging from extreme energy to deep despair. The severity of the mood swings and the way they disrupt normal life activities distinguish bipolar mood episodes from ordinary mood changes.
Symptoms of mania - the "highs" of bipolar disorder
•Increased physical and mental activity and energy
•Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self-confidence
•Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
•Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
•Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
•Racing speech, racing thoughts, flight of ideas
•Impulsiveness, poor judgment, distractibility
•Reckless behavior
•In the most severe cases, delusions and hallucinations
Symptoms of depression - the "lows" of bipolar disorder
• Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
• Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
• Pessimism, indifference
• Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
• Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
• Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
• Unexplained aches and pains
• Recurring thoughts of death or suicide

Answer 2

When someone is in a manic state they perform 99% of all that they do in an irrational way. For example they may decide that they are going to paint the entire house (two story, four bedrooms, etc.) in an entire weekend. They look are the end result and feel that they have done a wonderful job. In reality it has been done very sloppy and it will need to be corrected by a painter. Some one may also go out and buy three cars all of which are expensive when they do not have the money for any car at all. They can become extremely religious. They can also spend money that they do not have on gambling. It is very rare that someone who is manic makes a qualified decision at all. In regards to if there is anything that might trigger these states. It is usually an imbalance of chemicals in the brain which need to be treated with medications (mood stabilizers). Many times these medications need to be titrated in regards to dosage. It is also possible that if someone who is bipolar and suffering from a depression that the medications alone are not sufficient enough to treat it. At that time a procedure called electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be performed. This has been shown to produce a positive end result thus making it possible for someone who was extremely depressed live a normal life. I do hope that this has clarified any questions you may have had regarding bipolar disorder with its different states of depression and mania.

Answer 3

Sounds like the effects of speed. Presumably you would know if you'd taken any drugs, so unless it's a really heavy caffeine jag (do you do caffeine?), I would suggest you speak to your doctor about it. Perhaps bipolar would be a more accurate diagnosis for you.

I went through the whole shrink thing back before they knew much about the chemicals in the brain and what is cause and what is effect. Even now I suspect the "experts" don't know as much as they pretend to.

This might be a side-effect of whatever drug you are taking for depression. "Recurrent major depressive disorder" seems to mean you get depressed periodically. If you get "high" in between, isn't that bipolar? Or is it only considered bipolar if there is a certain result on a chemical test?

Good luck sorting it all out. In the meantime, try to hang on by keeping in touch with your Internet friends. We can always provide a different perspective, which is useful.

Answer 4

To be diagnosed with Bipolar disorder the manic state has to last atleast a week. I wonder if you are just feeling so good, because the depression is so bad that when you feel better it seems incredibly high. Another guess, sometime antidepressants can cause some mania.

Answer 5

Antidepressants can do it. Uhm, you could be bipolar. People who are bipolar are not either manic or depressed all the time and can have more periods of depression than mania and definitely have periods of stability. It's not a one minute to the next type of illness!

Answer 6

I am no doctor but i am bipolar. I think everyone can have manic episodes although they my not know it themselves. I also believe that when being depressed your body can overcopisate and produce the chemicals that cause the manic feelings. I think it works the other way to.

Answer 7

You could have a form called bipolar II disorder. My diagnosis is the same as yours, but I've often wondered about hypomania. One day I was noodling around on the net and I found some info about bipolar II. I haven't discussed it with my therapist or psych yet; I'm in sort of a wait and see mode.

I've never experienced anything as strongly as you have, though. I think you should discuss it with your doc.

Answer 8

The winner-players teach that the normal and regular depression has periods of manic joy. This is because your oppressors are busy at the time and you feel great.

Answer 9

Yes, I have on a regular basis. I like it and it was mild enough to where I didn't do anything too stupid.

Answer 10

I think you should go and get tested that's how i was and it became worse so go seek help.