A question - Speed of onset.

I have a general question about Manic episodes. Moreover, I'm trying to figure out if my lifelong friend just started a manic episode.

Okay - well, I KNOW he started a manic episode. This guy pretty much defines what a manic episode is. Inability to sleep, stop talking, talk about one thing for more than 4 seconds. He was elated, etc etc etc. Massive personality change, etc.

I've known him for 15 years and he has been a calm, quite, collected individual. And indeed, when I last saw him Sunday afternoon, he was his normal self. He self admittedly started acting Manic on Tuesday. When I talked to him that night, he couldnt stop talking, had little if no continuity in his rantings. He's being impulsive, etc. In any case - looking back in my abnormal psych book - he seems to be expressing a strong but not debilitating manic episode.

With that background, here is my question. Do manic episodes come on strong out of the blue? He has not been depressed that I know off. And this is definitely the first Manic "Episode (his word) he has ever had. And, I would definitively say that his level of activity and talking has at least tripled. He is no longer the person I knew him to be on a personality basis.

I seem to remember from my classes that adult onset is rather common - but is it "Onset" or ... onrush?
Do major manic episodes happen to all of us from time to time.

I think so....I know that I have learned to recognize when I am starting a manic episode...but that is because I have them often...at least for someone who is bipolar....Just be there for him....it will pass and try to help him avoid doing anything that could harm him after the episode is over

Yes manic eposides come out of the blue...I would just say that strong may not be the right word as many of my eposides have different levels...

Mine come on quickly and I cycling quickly between depression and mania...and sometimes experience both...

So there a vague answer for you...This may not be the first...we are good at hiding the good and the bad times...

I wasn't diagnosed until this year...age 36...had issues for over 20 years...never really understood...

The talking fast and some of the other items mention could be a sign of some level of mania...only a pdoc or therapist could evaluate that...so be there for him...learn what you can about bipolar...when he is ready...help him get hooked into some professional help to sort it all out...