A person with pressured speech may speak quickly, suddenly, or erratically during a manic period. Bipolar mania can speed up a person’s thinking processes, and the person may feel as if they cannot get the words out fast enough to express their thoughts.

A person with bipolar disorder may experience pressured speech during manic periods. These are periods of extreme highs.

During these times, a person may feel the need to speak rapidly, suddenly, or erratically.

In this article, we assess the links between pressured speech and bipolar disorder.

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People with bipolar disorder typically experience cycles of mania and depressive moods. How quickly an individual cycles through the moods will vary from person to person. Pressured speech is a symptom of bipolar disorder that occurs during mania.

In all these cases, a person may experience:

  • rapid speech without pause for others
  • loud speech
  • talking about subjects in a disorganized manner
  • talking about inappropriate subjects
  • not being able to speak fast enough to keep up with thoughts

Additional symptoms during a period of mania may include:

  • inflated self-worth or delusions of grandeur
  • reckless or risky behavior
  • decreased need or ability to sleep
  • elevated mood
  • exaggerated optimism
  • feeling anxious or jittery
  • inability to focus
  • restlessness

Learn more about the main symptoms of mania here.

Pressured speech is not a disease or disorder by itself. Rather, it is a symptom of an underlying disorder. Besides bipolar disorder, there are many potential causes of pressured speech, including schizophrenia and some forms of anxiety.

Pressured speech has no significant complications by itself. However, the underlying cause of the pressured speech may affect a person’s overall health and well-being.

A person with bipolar disorder is likely to experience periods of low self-esteem during depressive episodes. Additionally, people with bipolar disorder are more likely to attempt suicide.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Pressured speech is often the result of rapid thoughts during a manic episode. A person with bipolar disorder is not likely to experience issues with pressured speech during a depressive cycle.

The brain can usually prioritize thoughts based on their importance to a situation. A person with bipolar disorder may have difficulty separating these thoughts, meaning irrelevant thoughts may appear pressing as soon as they enter the mind.

A 2017 review found that pressured speech is more likely in adult-onset bipolar disorder than in children and adolescents.

A person may also experience pressured speech as a result of other conditions.

People with bipolar disorder may also have co-occurring conditions, including:

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): ADHD makes it difficult to focus and organize thoughts and actions. People with ADHD may experience frantic or fast-paced thinking, which can cause pressured speech.
  • Anxiety: This condition may cause a person to experience pressured speech if their anxiety results in being unable to explain something quickly. They may experience rapid, uncontrollable thoughts in response to their situation.
  • Schizophrenia: This can cause a breakdown of the connectors between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, which can lead to delusion, and disorganized thoughts.
  • Substance use disorders: People with bipolar disorder have a high risk of substance use disorders. This can include use of alcohol, nicotine, and recreational drugs.

Doctors cannot cure or treat pressured speech as an isolated condition. Instead, they will focus on treating the underlying cause of the condition.

Bipolar disorder has a high rate of misdiagnosis. As a result, a person may experience difficulty getting the treatment they require.

Following correct diagnosis, a person can learn to manage bipolar disorder with a combination of medication and psychotherapy.

There are three main types of medication to help treat bipolar disorder that can help reduce or eliminate pressured speech. These medications are:

  • antipsychotics, such as olanzapine or aripiprazole
  • mood stabilizers, such as valproic acid or lithium
  • antidepressants

Learn more about the medications for bipolar disorder here.

Alongside drug treatments, a person may benefit from psychotherapy. Types of psychotherapy that can help a person manage bipolar disorder include:

Learn more about the types of psychotherapy here.

Pressured speech is a common symptom of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. It typically occurs when a person is experiencing manic episodes.

During this time, a person may feel compelled to speak quickly, erratically, and without stopping.

Pressured speech is not a condition in itself, and treatment will typically center on resolving its underlying causes.