Mania is a persistently elevated, irritable, or elated mood. Mania occurs in some mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder. It also can result from diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, or develop as a side effect of some medicines, such as steroids or antidepressants.

Other characteristics of mania include:

• Inflated self-esteem or unrealistic feelings of importance.
• Decreased need for sleep.
• Talking more than usual.
• Racing thoughts or being easily distracted by unimportant things.
• An increased focus on reaching job or personal goals.
• Involvement in irresponsible activities that might have dangerous consequences, such as engaging in increased sexual activity, making foolish business deals, or spending large sums of money.

Mania is usually treated with professional counseling and medicines, such as mood stabilizers. If mania is caused by a reaction to a medicine, it usually goes away when the person stops taking the medicine.