How to Support Your Loved One During a Manic Episode

Published on March 3, 2025 by Zencare Team.

A manic episode is a period of extreme changes in mood, energy, and behavior that can last for a short period of time or extend over several weeks. It is a key feature of bipolar disorder symptoms and can significantly impact a person’s ability to function. Episodes of mania can be overwhelming for both the individual experiencing them and their family members and close friends.

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that requires a combination of medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes for effective treatment. Mental health professionals recommend ongoing support to help manage mood swings, prevent relapses, and ensure overall well-being.

This article provides the best way to support a loved one during a manic state, recognize early signs, and navigate treatment options while also taking care of yourself.

Understanding Manic Episodes

What Is a Manic Episode?

A manic episode is a distinct period of high energy level, irritable mood, and impulsive behavior lasting at least a week. It is a key symptom of bipolar disorder and related conditions like schizoaffective disorder and manic-depressive illness.

There are different types of mood episodes:

• Manic episodes (severe symptoms that may require hospitalization).
• Hypomanic episodes (milder forms of mania that do not cause significant impairment).
• Depressive episodes (marked by depressive symptoms such as sadness, low energy, and loss of interest).

Some individuals also experience mixed mood episodes, where manic symptoms and symptoms of depression occur simultaneously.

Symptoms of a Manic Episode

Recognizing the symptoms of a manic episode can help provide timely intervention. Common manic symptoms include:

• A lot of energy and feeling overly elated or irritable.
• Sleep deprivation with little need for rest.
• Talking rapidly and jumping between ideas.
• Impulsive decision-making (e.g., reckless spending, unsafe sex).
• Psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions (in severe cases).
• Engaging in risky behavior, including drug use or excessive drinking.
• Grandiose thinking, such as believing they have special powers.
• Episodes of depression following periods of mania.

Early Warning Signs of a Manic Episode

Recognizing early warning signs of a manic episode can help prevent a crisis. Common early signs include:

• Changes in sleep patterns (less sleep but still feeling energized)
• Increased irritability or agitation
• Excessive goal-setting or taking on too many projects
• Uncharacteristic risk-taking behavior
• Difficulty focusing and racing thoughts

Tracking mood symptoms through a wellness recovery action plan can help detect patterns and prevent escalation.

What Can Trigger a Manic Episode?

Manic episodes can be triggered by various factors, which vary from person to person. Common triggers include:

• Sleep disturbances: Lack of sleep or irregular sleep patterns.
• Stressful life events: Major changes like job loss, breakups, or the death of a loved one.
• Substance use: Alcohol and recreational drugs can worsen symptoms.
• Stimulating environments: Loud noises, bright lights, or large crowds may contribute.
• Medications: Certain drugs, especially antidepressants, can trigger mania if not properly managed.
• Positive life events: Exciting milestones like marriage or childbirth can also be triggers.

Knowing your loved one’s triggers can help prepare you and them for an episode, or potentially lessen the effect of an episode. Keep in mind that new triggers for mania can develop over time, so it’s important to keep track of what preceded a manic episode.

How to Offer Support During a Manic Episode

If you are aware that a loved one or someone that you regularly spend time with has bipolar disorder, it might be helpful to know how to offer support in the event that you are with them when it happens.

Staying Calm and Understanding

• Manic depression can cause erratic behavior — don’t take it personally.
• Stay calm and avoid escalating stressful events.
• Validate their feelings while gently guiding them toward appropriate treatment.
• Establish healthy boundaries to keep both of you safe.

Encourage Professional Help

The best way to help is by encouraging your loved one to seek professional help from a mental health provider or mental health specialist if they don’t already see someone for bipolar disorder. Treatment options may include:

• Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium)
• Antipsychotic medicines to manage severe bipolar symptoms
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• A combination of medication and therapy for long-term stability

Offer to help schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional and ensure they follow their treatment plan. If they already see a mental health professional, you can encourage them to stay regular with appointments.

Help With a Treatment Plan

• Remind them to take their bipolar medications consistently.
• Watch for side effects of mood stabilizers and other medications.
• Encourage regular check-ins with a healthcare provider.

Consistency is essential for long-term stability. Even when they feel "better," sticking to their treatment plan helps prevent relapses.

Sitting Down Together to Establish a Crisis Plan

Spending some time to create a crisis plan for your loved one can help you both feel confident and safe if a manic episode occurs. Especially if you and this person live together, sitting down and creating a plan you both agree on can help with navigating specific scenarios within a manic episode, and can help you be prepared with the information you need to contact a healthcare provider or make certain decisions. A crisis plan is important because manic episodes can be unpredictable. A crisis plan helps both you and your loved one prepare for serious mental health conditions before they escalate.

What to Include a Manic Episode Crisis Plan

Identifying early signs of manic symptoms: Symptoms may differ from person to person, and even in severity. Focus on the symptoms specific to your loved one, they might even know what they are. In general though, early signs can include sleeping less but appearing more energized, increased irritability, taking on too many projects and having difficulty focusing.

Steps to take if symptoms escalate (who to call, when to seek help): Your loved one may have a parent or family member that they want in the loop before escalating to a mental health provider or crisis center. They might also have another loved one that they feel comfortable with you contacting to help if symptoms escalate.

Contact information for a mental health professional, health care provider, or crisis lifeline: You may also want to broach the subject of having your loved one’s mental health professional’s contact information in the case of an emergency, and your loved one might want to share your contact information with their mental health professional as well as an emergency contact.

Boundaries regarding financial decisions or risky behaviors: For example, many people who experience manic episodes find themselves going on shopping or spending sprees. You might have an agreement with your loved one that if they’re having a manic episode, they hand their wallet over to you for a certain period of time and require supervision when online shopping or going to stores in-person.

How to Have the Conversation

You might be the person to bring up the conversation, or your loved one might. Whoever has the idea in the first place, it’s important to come to the discussion calmly and with an open mind. It might even help to bring some ideas to the table to be prepared. Keep in mind the following:

• Choose a calm, stable moment to discuss the plan.
• Emphasize that the goal is their well-being, not control.
• Work together to create a plan that respects their autonomy.

Find a few hours to have this discussion. Take breaks if needed, as some parts of this discussion may be difficult.

Connecting With Support Groups and Resources

Support networks can make a difference. Encourage participation in:

• Support groups for individuals with bipolar disorder.
• The American Psychiatric Association for research-based guidance
• A wellness recovery action plan (WRAP) to track symptoms and moods

Learning about these resources yourself can also be a way you can support your loved one who has bipolar disorder. The burden of education shouldn’t fall solely on them to help you understand the complexities of bipolar disorder.

Recognizing When to Seek Emergency Help

Sometimes, a manic episode can escalate into a mental health crisis. Seek emergency help if your loved one:

• Exhibits severe psychotic symptoms: This includes any type of hallucination, experiencing delusions like believing that someone is trying to hurt them, disorganized speech and becoming angry or upset without any apparent reason, to name a few.
• Poses a risk to themselves or others: If your loved one is trying to hurt themselves or others.
• Faces extreme financial or legal consequences: If the risky behavior that they are engaging in results in them overspending, stealing, or committing crimes.

If necessary, contact a mental health provider, healthcare professional, or call a crisis lifeline.

Call or text 988 if you or someone you love is experiencing a crisis. You can also chat with the 988 Lifeline at chat.988lifeline.org/ and you can also access the Deaf or Hard of Hearing crisis resources at 988lifeline.org/deaf-hard-of-hearing-hearing-loss/.

Your area might have an Alternative Crisis Response program, which is a program that helps treat individuals who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. These teams are alternatives to calling the police, as ACRs are trained specifically to deal with individuals who are experiencing symptoms of a mental health crisis. Do some research for your state or county to see if there are programs like this you can contact, instead of calling law enforcement.

Long-Term Support for a Loved One With Bipolar Disorder

Whether you are the significant other, a best friend or a family member to a loved one — your support will likely be long-term. What we know and understand about bipolar disorder might change over time, but there are some strategies that can help you stay consistent in your support throughout manic episodes, depressive episodes and euthymic, or stable states.

Being there for the long-haul means keeping communication open and non-judgemental. Take the time to learn about related disorders and bipolar disorders. Offer support, without enabling unhealthy behaviors.

If your loved one has asked you to, or you’ve offered and they’ve agreed — help them track their moods and monitor their symptoms. You’ll help them be on the front line of any episodes. You can also help address any concerns about side effects with a healthcare provider, since you’ll be with them often enough to notice.

If you live together, you might find it easier to help them reduce environmental factors that contribute to episodes of mania. This includes limiting recreation drugs and substance use, avoiding overstimulation like loud noises or chaotic environments. You can also help engage in relaxation techniques with them like mindfulness meditation.

Likewise, you can help keep both you and your loved one on consistent sleep schedules, participate in physical activities to manage stress like workout classes or hobby activities. Help plan meals around a nourishing diet that supports physical health and mood stability.

Most importantly — if you plan to be in your loved one’s life for a long time, take care of yourself. Caregiver burnout is real, and you can’t pour from an empty cup. Providing this kind of support for another person can be exhausting and it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. Set healthy boundaries to avoid burnout and join support groups for caregivers. Consider seeing a therapist as well — therapy can be an excellent form of “preventative care” so you can learn coping skills and the signs of burnout early, instead of trying to do damage control.

Conclusion

Supporting a loved one through a manic episode can be challenging, but with patience, education, and a proactive approach, you can help them navigate their symptoms while also protecting your own well-being. By recognizing early warning signs, understanding triggers, and encouraging professional treatment, you can play a crucial role in their long-term stability. Creating a crisis plan, setting healthy boundaries, and fostering open communication will not only provide structure during difficult times but also strengthen your relationship. Your support, when combined with medical care and therapy, can make a meaningful difference in their journey with bipolar disorder.

At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge your own needs and limits as a caregiver or support person. Taking care of yourself—whether through therapy, support groups, or self-care practices—ensures that you can continue offering the best support without compromising your own mental health. While you cannot control or “fix” their condition, your compassion and steady presence can be invaluable. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, but with the right tools and a strong support system, your loved one can lead a fulfilling and balanced life.