Truth: Although people tend to think that manic periods “balance” depressive periods and are good “trade-offs,” this perception is inaccurate for most people with bipolar disorder. Manic episodes are characterized by intense feelings of restlessness, anxiety and poor judgment that can lead to excessive spending, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex and other problems. While some people have mild manic periods (hypomania)—in which they experience feelings of elation, lots of physical energy and a positive outlook—without proper treatment, hypomania can become severe mania in some people, or can switch to depression.

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