How Do You Stop a Manic Episode Immediately?

Learn strategies to calm manic episodes, manage bipolar symptoms, and take charge of your mental health.

When a manic episode strikes, it can feel like a whirlwind of uncontrollable energy, mood swings, racing thoughts, and impulsive decisions. Manic episodes, a hallmark of bipolar disorder symptoms, particularly in Bipolar I, are intense but manageable with the right tools. For those with Bipolar II, the shifts may not reach full-blown mania but still involve hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes that can deeply impact mental health. 

Understanding how to stop these mood episodes in their tracks is key to protecting your overall well being. Below, we’ll explore practical steps to calm a manic episode or hypomanic episode, manage mood swings, and highlight the importance of long-term strategies for navigating bipolar depression and other aspects of this mental illness.

9 tips for how to stop a manic episode immediately

When you feel the onset of a bipolar episode, acting quickly can help prevent it from escalating into acute mania. While it may seem overwhelming, there are practical steps you can take to bring your mind and body back into balance. Here are TK tips for how to stop a manic episode immediately. These immediate actions can help you regain control, stopping the manic episode from intensifying.

1. Recognize the onset of a manic episode

Manic and hypomanic episodes often begin subtly, with changes that might be mistaken for a burst of creativity or productivity. However, as these feelings intensify, they can spiral into something much harder to control. Self-awareness allows you to recognize when your mood or behavior is shifting into a manic state. This is essential for both Bipolar I and Bipolar II, as being in tune with your mood episodes can help prevent both manic and depressive episodes from escalating. 

Recognizing the early signs of a mood episode is key to managing it before it escalates. Self-awareness, or the ability to tune into your mental and emotional state, is critical for catching these changes early and taking action. Early signs and symptoms of a manic episode:

• Heightened energy and activity levels
• Euphoria or exaggerated optimism
• Racing thoughts and rapid speech
• Irritability or agitation
• Decreased need for sleep
• Increased risky behaviors or pleasure-seeking behaviors

2. Practice grounding exercises 

Focus on the present moment by engaging your senses. Try holding something cold, listening to calming music, or taking deep breaths to slow racing thoughts—a common symptom of manic depression.

3. Prioritize sleep

Create a restful environment by dimming lights, turning off electronics, and lying down, even if you don’t feel tired. Sleep deprivation can worsen manic or depressive symptoms, so rest is crucial.

4. Eat and hydrate

Basic self-care, like drinking water or eating a balanced meal, can stabilize your energy and mood during a bipolar episode.

5. Reduce stimulation

Limit exposure to loud noises, bright lights, and screens, which can heighten bipolar symptoms. Find a quiet, low-light space where you can relax.

6. Reach out for support

Contact a trusted friend, family member, or therapist. Discussing your feelings with someone supportive can help ground you and remind you to take calming steps—which is important for both mood and anxiety disorders.

7. Seek professional intervention 

Managing a manic episode often requires more than immediate self-care; professional support is crucial for stabilizing mood and preventing future episodes. Contact your healthcare provider or therapist as soon as you notice warning signs of a manic episode. They can adjust medication or offer therapeutic interventions. If symptoms become overwhelming, consider seeking immediate care from an emergency room or mental health crisis center.

8. Take medication as prescribed

Bipolar medicines are also often crucial for stabilizing mood and preventing future episodes. Adhering to a prescribed medication plan is key in managing mental disorders like bipolar disorder. Take mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or other medications as prescribed. Consistency is key to managing bipolar symptoms effectively. Skipping doses or altering medication without consulting your doctor can worsen bipolar symptoms, including depressive symptoms. Also, if prescribed, use emergency medications as directed. These can help quickly manage acute mania and provide relief during a manic episode.

9. Develop an emergency plan

Work with your provider to create a plan for managing manic episodes. This plan may include contacts for support and suicide prevention resources if necessary.

Long-term manic episode prevention and management

Managing a mood disorder like bipolar disorder requires addressing both immediate symptoms, such as manic episodes, and implementing long-term strategies to prevent future episodes. Key elements of sustainable management include therapy, lifestyle changes, and a strong support network. Regular therapy with a mental health professional, particularly one specializing in bipolar disorder, offers essential support, with treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation helping to manage symptoms and build coping skills. Maintaining a consistent daily routine, including regular sleep, meals, and activities, can also stabilize mood swings and help manage both manic and depressive episodes.

Identifying and managing personal triggers, such as stress or substance use, is crucial in preventing a full bipolar episode. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep, contributes to better mood regulation. Limiting or eliminating stimulants and substances like alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drugs is equally important for controlling bipolar symptoms and improving medication effectiveness. Building a strong support system—both personal and professional—provides necessary encouragement and resources, with support groups offering additional understanding and suicide prevention tools.

Regular follow-ups with healthcare providers, including psychiatrists, ensure your treatment plan stays on track, and any new symptoms or concerns are addressed promptly. By integrating these long-term strategies, you can reduce the frequency and intensity of manic or depressive episodes, effectively manage bipolar disorder, and lead a more balanced, fulfilling life.

How Charlie Health can help

If you or a loved one would benefit from therapy and medication management, Charlie Health is here to help. Charlie Health’s virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides mental health treatment for people dealing with serious mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, and more. Our expert clinicians incorporate evidence-based therapies into individual counseling, family therapy, and group sessions. We also offer medication management as needed with a team of psychiatrists and psychiatric providers. With this kind of holistic online therapy, managing your mental health is possible. Fill out the form below or give us a call to start healing today.