This Is What a Manic Episode Feels Like

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes unusual mood swings, ranging from extreme highs (known as manic episodes) to extreme lows (called depressive episodes). There are three types of bipolar disorder, bipolar I is marked by full manic episodes while bipolar II is defined by a pattern of depressive and hypomanic—revved up energy, mood or behavior—episodes, and cyclothymia in which the cycles of depression and mania can last for years. Although there’s no cure for bipolar disorder, people with the condition can live normal lives when they receive the proper treatment, as these three women can attest to. Here, they share what it’s like to experience a manic episode.

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