Mild Mania Symptoms May Warn of Depression and Anxiety

Short bursts of high energy linked to later mental health risks

—Mild symptoms of mania—like bursts of high energy or irritability—may signal a greater risk of developing depression and anxiety, according to a new large-scale study.

Researchers in the Netherlands found that adults who occasionally feel euphoric or extra irritable, without having a diagnosed mood disorder, were about twice as likely to develop depression or anxiety within three years as those without such symptoms.

The study, conducted by several Dutch mental health centers and published this week in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests doctors should watch for these early warning signs in patients—even if their symptoms don’t meet the criteria for bipolar disorder.

Using data from 4,618 adults representative of the Dutch population, scientists followed participants who had no diagnosed mood disorders at the start.

They screened for “subthreshold manic symptoms”—meaning people experienced periods of unusually elevated mood, energy, or irritability lasting at least four days, but not enough to qualify as bipolar disorder.

Over three years, those reporting these mild manic symptoms were 2–3 times more likely to develop depression and up to 6 times more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Risk for new anxiety disorders also rose significantly, while substance use disorder rates didn’t see the same link.

These findings show that even mild, short-lived manic symptoms should be taken seriously, the report says. Recognizing them early could help prevent depression or anxiety before they take hold.

The higher risks remained true even after controlling for factors like age, lifestyle habits, and other mental health issues. While it’s normal for anyone to have an occasional mood swing, the researchers emphasize that noticing persistent or recurring bursts of unusual energy—or irritability that lasts several days—could help identify people who may benefit from extra support or prevention programs.

Experts believe the findings could shift how primary care physicians and therapists screen for mental health risks. The authors recommend including questions about brief bouts of high energy or irritability in standard check-ups.

The study was published July 14, 2025, in the Journal of Affective Disorders

Comment from a reader with bipolar disorder: It’s easy to see these early warning symptoms in retrospect, but very difficult to identify them by yourself when experiencing them. This new research might help those who can identify the feelings of high energy or irritability and warn them of possibly consequences. Hopefully therapists can use this information to educated their clients showing the early signs.

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