manic episode

noun

plural manic episodes

: a period of extreme mental and physical hyperactivity and erratic behavior sometimes accompanied by psychotic symptoms (such as paranoia or delusions) that is characteristic of some psychological disorders and especially of bipolar disorder : a sustained state of mania

A person experiencing a manic episode might deep-clean their apartment at midnight on two hours of sleep or spam former classmates with messages asking to meet after years of no contact.

—Katie Camero

… manic episodes of abnormally elated mood, increased energy, rapid speech, irritability, impulsivity, hostility and psychosis …

—Jamie Talan

Early signs … that you're getting ready to have a manic episode can last weeks to months. If you're not already receiving treatment, episodes of bipolar-related mania can last between three and six months.

—Cleveland Clinic

Examples of manic episode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There was an immediate shift from Watts after the manic episode, McCollough’s friends say. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026

Studies have shown that hallucinogens such as psilocybin can trigger manic episodes and bipolar disorder even in people without a history of such concerns. — Dawn Fallik, Scientific American, 11 Aug. 2026

Goodheart said in her testimony that sleep deprivation -- one of the major reasons Clancy opted for inpatient treatment -- could contribute to a manic episode. — Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026

The writer-director wrote in his open letter that his brother experienced a manic episode in 2017 that eventually led to his death by suicide. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for manic episode

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad

Medical Definition

manic episode

noun

: a period of extreme mental and physical hyperactivity and erratic behavior sometimes accompanied by psychotic symptoms (such as paranoia or delusions) that is characteristic of some psychological disorders and especially of bipolar disorder : a sustained state of mania

An individual with a history of a manic episode who is later found to be depressed will be given a diagnosis of bipolar disorder at subsequent episodes of depression. Consequently, the identification of a history of a manic episode will have a marked impact on treatment planning and future expectations regarding prognosis and outcome.

—David L. Pogge et al., Psychiatry Research