Since these episodes may last several months or longer, one's morale or self-esteem may become seriously impaired. Prolonged periods of depression can lead to a death wish or thoughts of suicide. As a rational person, I don't know that it applies. They cannot understand why anyone who would call their experience abnormal, part of an illness. They feel excited, have surges of energy, and describe feeling more creative, active, able to accomplish things they never thought possible.
Sleep seems unnecessary.
Life plans and decisions are often out of proportion with the individual's realistic abilities and resources. Decisions made during these periods are typically impulsive and reckless. Spending sprees and other indiscretions, such as alcohol abuse, are common. Without treatment, the frequency of illness, as well as the severity of symptoms, tends to increase over the years. Less often, a person may have only rare episodes of illness.