Prevention of Mania


The highs of a manic episode may seem appealing but in reality they can take a terrible toll on the person affected as well as on his family and friends. In order to prevent manic episodes, it is important to understand the trigger factors that set them off. Here are some tips to prevent mania:

  • Maintain a regular sleep schedule. An irregular or a disturbed sleep pattern can bring on a manic attack.
  • Avoid drugs and alcohol as not only can they increase recklessness and aggression but may also react with your medication.
  • Avoid stress, conflict, work tension and financial worries.
  • Caffeine, over-the-counter allergy and cold medications and drugs to treat thyroid problems can trigger mania.
  • Keep a diary or a mood chart to track your behavioral patterns and triggers. The more you know, the greater the chances of preventing a manic episode in the future.
  • Do not miss any medications or self-medicate as this can bring about a relapse. If side effects of certain drugs are affecting you, speak to you doctor about ways to reduce them.
  • Try yoga and meditation to improve overall health.

References
  1. W. Greil, W. Ludwig-Mayerhofer, N. Erazo, C. Schöchlin, S. Schmidt, R.R. Engel, A. Czernik, H. Giedke, B. Müller-Oerlinghausen, M. Osterheider, G.A.E. Rudolf, H. Sauer, J. Tegeler, T. Wetterling, Lithium versus carbamazepine in the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorders – a randomized study, Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 43, Issue 2, 1 April 1997, Pages 151-161, ISSN 0165-0327, 10.1016/S0165-0327(96)01427-9.
  2. Colleen Loo, Natalie Katalinic, Philip B. Mitchell, Benjamin Greenberg, Physical treatments for bipolar disorder: A review of electroconvulsive therapy, stereotactic surgery and other brain stimulation techniques, Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 132, Issues 1–2, July 2011, Pages 1-13, ISSN 0165-0327, 10.1016/j.jad.2010.08.017.
  3. Carmen Andreescu, Benoit H. Mulsant, James E. Emanuel, Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of bipolar disorder — A review of the evidence, Journal of Affective Disorders, Volume 110, Issues 1–2, September 2008, Pages 16-26, ISSN 0165-0327, 10.1016/j.jad.2008.03.015.