- For the classical mythological figures named Mania, see Mania (mythology).
Mania describes a medical condition characterised by severely elevated mood. Mania is most usually associated with bipolar disorder, where episodes of mania alternate with episodes of depression. (Note: not all mania is bipolar disorder, other diseases can cause mania - however bipolar disorder is the 'classic' manic disease).
Hypomania refers to a less severe variant of mania, where there is less loss of control.
Although 'severely elevated mood' sounds pleasant, the actual experience of mania is usually unpleasant and frightening for the person involved, and may lead to behavior that they may regret later. It can also often be complicated by the sufferer's lack of insight into their condition leading to manic patients being some of the most belligerent patients to arrive in emergency rooms.
Other manic symptoms include hypersexuality, religiosity, hyperactivity, talkativeness, flight-of-ideas, and grandiose plans.
Mania can also be experienced at the same time as depression, in so-called dysphoric mania. This has caused speculation amongst doctors that mania and depression are two independent axes in a bipolar spectrum, rather than opposites.
Some collective mania (craze) can also take place, as individuals have a tendency to lose their own personality inside a crowd (fads, herding, crowd hysteria, stock bubble, tulipomania)
See also
Additional Reading All college-level texts on Abnormal Psychology will contain a section on mania.
Mania was also Menudo's first Portuguese album released in 1984 with Ricky, Charlie, Ray, Roy, and new member Robbi. | 
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