Anxiety vs Mania - How To Tell The Difference 

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So well said! “A manic person has a fire hose of words, while the anxious person suffers quietly.” Thanks for the helpful videos!

Anxiety just keeps you overwhelmed with negative thoughts all the time. when i see other people look relaxed and normal, I think, is it only me who’s suffering so much?!

So anxiety goes in, mania comes out

"With mania, you don't have much need for sleep. You may only get two hours of sleep because you were up reorganizing your shelves." 😳Not me playing this in the background at 2:30am reorganizing my bookshelf knowing full well I have both therapy and work later today

I had a friend who said she couldn't sleep because she often had "racing thoughts." But her (anxiety) racing thoughts were totally different from my (bipolar) racing thoughts. Hers were oppressive thoughts that wouldn't leave her alone. Mine were the opposite of oppressive. They ran away from me, skedaddling in all directions, the very opposite of oppressive and intrusive thoughts that won't go away. Mine went away far too fast. And if I did start worrying about something like "where's my keys?" the thoughts would constantly leap from one thing to another until I was thinking about things like tomato sauce, window cleaning and space exploration instead.

I wish you were my therapist 😔.. You're very intelligent. I'm losing hope with Doctors around me.

THESE are the videos we need right now.

I fear I've felt many a manic episode, but combined with depression is just horrible & dark.

You’re breakdowns of mental health issues are the best on the web

You’re a beautiful person! And I love that you’re African American doing this. It’s just nice to see someone who looks like me be in this career ! I’m learning a lot from you💕

Ohhh Dr Tracey, where were you 20+ yrs ago when I was misdiagnosed with either schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder, depending on the treatment professional at the time?😖 I took antipsychotic meds for yrs, kept telling them they didn't really work, and they just kept giving them to me. Finally had an EXCELLENT therapist almost immediately realize I have CPTSD. I can't help but feel frustrated and angry that I was misdiagnosed for so long, and took meds I didn't really need that caused a lot of physical health issues😣😖

I once had a shrink try to commit me because she said I was suicidal.. but wasn't suicidal. I was living in the projects and got bedbugs again, so had to wash, clean, repack everything before I moved to a better apartment building. She also took me off Klonopin in a month. I was on it for 3 yrs. I tried to report her to the State medical board and couldn't find her. She back working in the hospital... God have mercy.

Now I understand what happened to me during the last summer. I was full of energy... I didn't feel tired even when I walked for hours, and my head was full of ideas and thoughts... then suddenly I had panic attacks. It's kind weird: always I am in my hypomanic episodes, I end up having panic attacks. Thank you for these videos... I understand better what I feel... I mean, sometimes you give me the words to describe what happens in my head... so then, I can explain it to my psychiatrist

Thank you! From someone only 14 diagnosed with GAD and Bipolar it’s hard. Very. Feels like the world is coming to and end. I kinda feel like Armageddon is happening!

I can totally see why Doctors can frequently struggle with misdiagnosing Bipolar with ADHD+Anxiety, and vice versa, especially for kids and teens.

One of the best explanations about "mania" that I've ever heard. Super didactic! Thanks for sharing.

Lastnight I got 6 hours of sleep. I had a discussion with my parents about talking to our pastor about me returning to church after my "manic distress" (my new term) And tonight is the first church service and I hope nobody forgets and gets too busy to talk

Many years ago, I suffered from cyclothymia as well as psychosis and anxiety. When I would get anxiety, it would trigger a hypomanic episode, which would lead to a mixed state and psychosis.

Oh my goodness! Everytime ive been asked if i had racing thoughts i said no. When in reality the worries won't shut off!! Thank you for this video because now i understand what they meant by racing thoughts.

I am having a manic episode right now and it's becoming depressive because of my anxiety...this really helped me make sense of that, thank you so much! I also have HEDS, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue so its all fun and games! 🙃😰💜

Your videos give me confidence to continue my day. Understanding who and why I am just me. And that's ok.

I have both at the same time. My hypomania or mania begins as an increasing feeling of anxiety with all the worries at the same time with just feeling completely speeded up with racing thoughts, irritability, and impulsive actions. When this first happened, I didn't understand why I was so wound up and nervous. Usualy anxiety for me is more generalized w/ worries - or it comes and goes easily enough. My doctor finally said that all this anxiety sounded like mania - and it is. If you have anxiety and PTSD, plus bipolar, I think they can intermingle for sure .

I really don't have anxiety with my bipolar. But, as an aside, I can tell I'm entering scary waters when I start thinking in my second language.

Every one of your videos that I’ve watched has clarified so many mysteries for me and greatly helps in making better decisions about my mental health care. Extremely grateful!

You have a gift for explaining the nuances of mental illnesses! I especially love the metaphors you used in this video.

I am so glad I found your page this morning I could cry ! I thought I was loosing my mind . I’ve been so anxious for the last week I’ve recently stop my antidepressant and I’ve had brain zaps , dizziness can’t sleep ! So anxious and I couldn’t describe it . You’ve helped me more with these videos then my doctors have . You’re amazing ! Thank you so much !

Bless you Dr Tracey so well spoken as usual

Thank you doctor. I need to start my anxiety meds again, thought I was fine without them.

Your videos are always SO clear. I use them for myself and my clients all the time. Thank You!

It's so interesting how often these two overlap. When I watched your video explaining bipolar 1 and 2, I was certain I did not have either. But after watching this, I'm going to talk to my therapist to talk about this further. Thank you!

These subtle differences are so key and important in addressing over/under and misdiagnosis!! I love your work!

YES! I love your thumbnails

this is extremely insightful. truly appreciate this doctor

Thanks again, I didn't know the difference between mania and anxiety.. I have both and it's very good to know how to identify them

Thank you so much for this! I am a person who suffers from an atypical rapid cycling bipolar disorder as well as anxiety. I have often found myself with both anxiety and mania at once, and your explanation of the nuances was very helpful as a checklist for my own feelings and behaviors. I have subscribed to your channel and have learned more about my own psychological health from your videos than all of the doctors I’ve seen over 20 years of declining mental health. Thank you! Please keep making this amazing and informative content. ✌🏻

Your videos are incredibly informative. Thank you so much for making them!

Knowing and feeling that your about to be manic is really heartbreaking sometimes … Thank you for explaining this so well ✨

Another excellent video. I often find the differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder to be tricky, especially when there is a mood disorder also present.

Again, Dr. Marks another brilliant description provided by you. Awesome.. thank you.

Im really happy i found your channel. It just helps explain my emotions that i cant explain, and helps me know how to deal with them to better my life thank you!

I've recently gotten more involved with my sister's battle against anxiety, mania, and overmedication. There is so much confusion on all sides of it, which makes the clarity from this video so much sweeter! Excellent video; thank you.

Your videos are so informative and helpful. Your voice is soothing. Thank you for taking the time out of your practice to help us. 💗

You explain things soooo well! Thank you for making these videos! I find it helpful for both myself and as a wellness practitioner so I can understand what my clients are going through if they are dealing with any mental health problems ✨

Thank you Dr Tracey for clarifying the difference between the two disorders. You also have a wonderful way in your presentations of making things easy for the layman to understand!

You are the best psychiatrist I've ever seen 😘♥️ thank you for the good content, I wish you the best!

Dr Tracey, your content is gold. I've been wondering if I may be bipolar instead of anxious and depressed and, while I never identified with mania, since I read about hypomania and the different manifestations of bipolar disorder, I doubted. This video helped me confirm at least 99% that it is generalized anxiety and not mania or hypomania. Next, I'd like to learn how anxiety and depression co-exist and possibly feed each other (I don't experience these in a sequence) and your thoughts on taking SSRIs long term to treat both. Inifintely grateful.

Thank you so much for making your videos. It's helpful to learn about these different aspects so objectively. The more I understand about the disorder, and mental health in general, the more empowered I feel to conquer the days ahead.

Your cadence is so calming. I really appreciate your videos.

thank you! I have an anxiety disorder and have been asked so many times if I'm bipolar based on how they perceived anxiety driven behavior. This is so helpful to understand the different origins of similar symptoms

Thank you for making these videos. I find them so helpful at understanding myself.

This video has helped me immensely. Thank you.

I recently found your videos while trying to figure out my brain and I really appreciate your work. I can barely make heads or tales out of myself but these help alot

Thank you for this! I have complex PTSD, ADHD, and panic disorder. I worried I had bipolar a couple times because there is a family history of it, but there's always a catalyst to feeling depressed or excited or anxious, and the feelings usually only last a day. The exception is anxiety, which sometimes lasts for days on end. My service dog helps me to ground myself. He notices when I'm spiralling, and gets into my lap so I can put my face into him and close my eyes. I block out everything and focus on his smell, how his fur feels on my face, how his breathing sounds, etc. This is one of many things he helps me with. A service dog has changed my life. I rely on him so heavily that I get scared about the idea that he'll one day not be with me. It's been worse since my retired service dog passed away in June. She retired gradually when I acquired him, as he was trained to do things like get my meds/interrupt panic attacks/wake me up from nightmares/etc. and it was a smooth transition. Even though he took over her duties, she was still there. She was still a big part of my life. She still slept in my bed every night, etc. For the last several years of her life, she was on BID medication, and was very old when she died. We both still miss her, and I know that's okay. The memories I have of being with her are good. She lived a very happy life. I realize though that her simply being there still helped me feel safe and I have another problem now. I'm terrified of something happening to my current service dog. I don't know how to exist without a service dog. There's a base level of anxiety I didn't used to have now about his mortality. He's six years old now. Sometimes, it gets worse and I just start panicking when I think about how he won't be able to help me, and I can't imagine existing without being nonfunctional without him. Ironically, he tries to interrupt these anxiety attacks, and does helps calm me down eventually, but the base anxiety seems to always be there now. Even if I try to think in a purely logical way without the emotions that I love him and every dog is an irreplaceable individual-even then, even if I try and think, "If he gets CHF like she had, we can train another puppy," I then make myself panic more because I was able to take some time off work to train him and that's might not be a possibility again. It isn't right now. Do you have any advice about what to do about this?

I show your videos to my parents to explain everything I couldn’t tell them as a teenager. I have gotten to a manageable level now as an adult and everything you say is so true.

You explained that with ease! You are a very smart and articulate woman! Thank You for your expertise! 💜

This video has oddly brought me so much peace today. I finally know why I’m feeling the way that I do. Thank you Dr. Tracey Marks 🙏🏽

thank you so much for this. I went to a psychiatrist for the first time this summer with complains for what I thought was anxiety, but now I think it might have been bipolar. My doctor was a bit intimidating though and until now I wasn't able to fully communicate to him why I thought it was bipolar. This video, the one about atypical bipolar and the one about how to talk to your doctor if you think the diagnosis is wrong have really helped me put my feelings into words and I wanted to thank you for that.

This is so so so helpful, thank you so much!

As a bipolar borderline with crippling panic attacks, thank you for your content on these topics and more! I also have to say I love your video thumbnails. You're so creative and that's what drew my attention!

Thank you Dr. Tracy Marks! This is a wealth of information! I have both Bipolar 2 and GAD and it's very helpful to know which disorder is producing a given symptom. So, I watched this twice and saved it to my later list. 👍

Wow- you just helped me to understand my GAD, and why I can’t just “get over it.” I get so mad at myself for allowing my anxieties to take over my life. I am in therapy and take anti-anxiety meds. I use positive talk and meditation. But I’ve never really tried to know more about my GAD. Thank you for helping me realize that I need to know more about why my brain goes on overdrive.

My friend JUST asked me about this exact topic just now, in relation to my grocery shopping experience yesterday 🤯 Didn't know how to answer so off to watch the video I go!! Thanks for your help so quickly!!!

Thank you for clarifying these, you really helped me out. Blessings to you!

I was recently diagnosed and these videos have helped me understand what I have been experiencing. You are a blessing to have around. Thank you for helping me get through! You are definitely helping me keep focused on recognizing my cycles so that I can learn to function as best I can and be open about what I'm experiencing. Thank you for keeping it simple! Best professional I've encountered yet!!!!!!

Amazing video Dr. Marks. Sadly though, despite you being perfectly descriptive, I still can't figure out if I'm experiencing "only" anxiety, or also some mania, even if lesser degree of hypomania. Too hard to explain but I literally have a hard time telling subtle differences on what I'm thinking, feeling and how my thoughts are driven. Also, I had commented on another of your videos, maybe one about seretonin syndrome asking if you can compare that to mania, or mania to anxiety and when I saw this title wondered if you got this idea from me. Comment was from different account. Anyways, I'm embarrased to say even with this video I'm not totally sure which one I have, or if both... thanks, Mike - Canada

I have GAD and BPII and I can confirm you are bang on the money in this vid. Brilliant. Thank you.

Excellent information. I have bipolar and social anxiety panic disorder. I definitely appreciate this information. Best description of these diagnosis's I've ever heard or read anywhere.

Your voice is so soothing. ❤ I love this channel.

Thank you so much for this video! It was very helpful information.

This is the best description on mania and racing thoughts. I love the blooming flower metaphor. Thank you. I'll definitely be using it, when trying to talk about my mania in the future.

I experience both depending on the times.... you do a good job describing the difference.

Thank you for this explanation. I am a person who lives with both bipolar disorder and anxiety. This information is very helpful.

You are so amazing, thanks for all this content. I'm dealing with a very complicated diagnosis process, I have a very mixed up set of anxiety, depression, irritability, distractibility from some nasty combination of ADHD and extras. Feel like I'm finally getting to the point where I have a diagnosis that makes sense and these videos have been a huge help in getting there thank you. I only wish you were available for sessions, but I imagine your client waitlist is 1000 deep.

Ketamine can help control anxiety and depression in people who can’t tolerate SSRIs. It’s life changing.

I’ve had this video in my watch history for a while now and just got enough courage to press play today. I was diagnosed with GAD and MDD years ago, but the more I’ve talked to my therapist, it’s looking like bipolar disorder might be present as well. Thanks so much for this video! Hopefully, I am able to use this as a guide to self-moniter and be able to make the distinction between what I’m feeling.

Dr Mark's, Thanks for ALWAYS breaking things down so basically. I know something has been "troubling me", so I'm listening to you constantly for each definition you offer. I'll know mine when I hear it and I will say ah ha that's what's troubling me.

This is the vid I've been waiting for! I can't tell if my PMDD is causing mania every month or if im just a little pepped up due to hormones. Im not sure. Thank you, Dr! ❤

Mam, make a video about anxious depression.

"Because you were up reorganizing you shelves" I broke into laughter. I'm on my 4th night of this. I appreciate your video's. Everything here is absolutely true and sadly very real. I struggle even with the best meds it took a long time to find best for me. Thanks again it's nice to be acknowledged.

This is such useful information! I just learned that how i sometimes feel in spring may be hypomania and how i sometimes feel in fall is anxiety.

I actually have both and usually coincide with each other….. Stage 1- My anxiety will make my already severe insomnia ratchet to the point of causing auditory, visual, olfactory, and tactile hallucinations. The longest stretch of absolutely no sleep is 9 days. Stage 2- My mania begins to show itself within my movements…..I get shaky and have tremors and I start rambling incessantly. The best way I can explain it is that it makes me feel as if I have to hurry up and get things bc I feel as if there not enough hours in the day to get it all done so I try to complete as many things I can but that never happens bc I just switch the task at hand to doing something else totally opposite of the task beforehand. Stage 3- Depression kicks in . Then the cycle begins again!! Still have not found any treatment right for me!

You explain things do well. Thank you so much for the video, i haven't finished it yet lol but still 💜

Thank you for your chanel, dr Tracey! I am 30 years old and I was diagnosed by bipolar disorder a few months ago. But, I've always been a anxious person and received treatment for this and depression for years, since a was a teenager. My problems just go worse and I almost give up. But now, my treatment is right and I started feel better. And thanks to your chanel I can understand my moods better and communicate better with my psychology and psychiatrist. Thank you so much from Brazil! I will always be grateful for you to help me with my symptoms.

Your information was incredibly helpful. Thanks.

I’ve been having cycling episodes for the past few weeks. My depression feels like a gaping hole in my heart and I want to drop to the floor sobbing for no actual reason. Then it switches and I’m smiling and then it switches again and I’m stuck In cptsd rumination. Is this possibly mania? I talked to my doctor and he said he thinks I’m just very anxious lately. But I’ve been talking to myself out loud a lot and it feels out of my control. I want to do impulsive things. I’m happy I’m more mindful than three years ago, so I’m aware. But I’m struggling lately. I have bipolar.

my introversion moderates my hyperactivity + mania

❤ thank you. Such a scary landscape to traverse. sending much love to all

Always such a pleasure to listen & learn. I get both chronic anxiety & mania but I noticed my mania has decreased since I stopped drinking. It can be quite unbearable when you have chronic depression & anxiety and feel exhausted but somehow a burst of energy comes through and you become erratic & impulsive & think a million things & cant stop talking or in my case, I start doing things but way too fast (going from: cant get outta bed to: finally got out of bed, wanna go shopping, went into a million stores, spent money here & there) and then once it all stops you become even more exhausted, feel bad about the decisions you made while manic and now feel worse than you did before. Its ones own personal hell. 😔. I wish I could find my off button for good.

I feel like I am always in a mixed state of hypomania when it happens. I’m trapped inside my head and that’s where the mania is. I feel like I mask well enough that no one notices but it is hell on me.. I also have major depression and anxiety and I think I might be in the autism spectrum..just started therapy though to find out and looking for a psychiatrist to help. Being depressed 100% of the time and having mixed state hypomania sessions too is awful. I’m surprised I’ve survived this long with them

Dr. Marks please do a video on thyroid disease and anxiety

Thanks for this helpful clarification. Now I have a better handle on how to respond to folks who judge me, but you've also provided insight into people I've lived with, both as a child and as an adult. As an artist surrounded by artists throughout the past 30 years, there may be a greater representation of people with bipolar disorder in my life than regular people experience. But they were also in and out of my life when I was younger. Again, thank you for your helpful videos. There is something about your demeanor that is very reassuring, dynamic but not overly dramatic.

Learning more about my disorders has saved my wellbeing for the past year. I haven’t fallen back into the pits again because now I know what to do.

I'd love to hear a comparison and contrast of ADHD and mania. Sometimes my ADHD gets churning so hard, I've questioned whether it's hypomania... but I'm almost always able to dial it down with some breathing and meditation.

How would you place the term "tired but wired," manic or anxious? Are people usually anxious during mixed episodes?

this has further helped me understand myself. i have bipolar 2 and i often feel imposter syndrome because people expect me to be bouncing off the walls or something. I'm extremely depressive so when i am manic, I'm just terribly irritated, easily over stimulated, super arguementative, and extremely moody. i can only hyperfocus on things that actually interest me as chores/taking care of myself isn't an option due to the severe depression. it's nice to gain further perspective on mixed depression & mania. thank you

Enjoying your videos. Thank you for making these.

Part of my anxiety is due to not having the right doctor/ psychiatrist. I've switched so many, due to them not really listening or understanding. Always pushing antidepressants.

Excellent breakdown now if we can only get past this pandemic so I can find a psychiatrist to formally diagnose my life long conditions and see my behavior there in front of him/ her

Oh my goodness! These videos are so helpful! I literally just messaged my therapist about telling the difference between manic and my normal state because I was mainly depressed for the past 3 years. I also suffer from mixed episodes. Before all the recent trauma, I was naturally hyper and happy all the time. After watching this video, I realized I'm suffering from anxiety instead. I lost my mom on Christmas 3 years ago, and I've been very anxious and fearful about spending the holidays with my family. This has caused irritability, increased movements, and disruption of sleep; however, once the burst of energy passes, I get exhausted. I'm glad I watch this before visiting my doctor again as we recently increased my mood stabilizers a few weeks ago because I was actually manic.