The Manic Mind: Reviewing Rare 50s Footage | Psychiatry Insights

Step into the intriguing world of mental health education with Dr. Syl, a junior doctor training to become a psychiatrist. In this captivating video, Dr. Syl delves into rare footage from the 1960s, shedding light on the manic state of a patient with bipolar disorder. Join us as we explore the fascinating and crucial aspects of manic depression, highlighting the dangers lurking behind seemingly euphoric moods.
As Dr. Syl provides insightful commentary, you'll gain a deeper understanding of bipolar illness, characterised by severe mood episodes lasting weeks. Learn about the complexities of manic episodes, from euphoria to irritability, and the potential risks involved, including impulsive behaviours and even psychosis.
Throughout the review, Dr. Syl offers valuable insights into the importance of sleep in managing manic episodes, the significance of therapeutic distance in patient interactions, and the challenges of assessing insight in mental illness.
Don't miss this thought-provoking analysis of manic behavior and its implications for psychiatric practice. Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments below. Let's continue the journey of mental health awareness together.
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** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. If anything in this video was distressing please consider calling LifeLine 131114 **
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction

[@DrSyl]

What should I react to next? Here's a link to my upcoming newsletter (use it to follow for updates for my CBT course!): eepurl.com/iMHJp6

[@dionysusapollo]

Baby Reindeer, apparently based on a true story

[@regtfyt]

Could you please do explanation video regarding psychotic episodes caused by brain tumour etc. very little info regarding this, and had hard time finding facts when close family member had it caused by benign meningioma (full blown delusions of Aliens spying, his own adult son not being his, conspiracy theories, feeling of someone throwing stones at him while he’s sitting on couch etc etc) once tumour was treated - symptoms of psychosis also disappeared.

[@nerea4327]

I'm no doctor, but I've been living with this illness for seven years and I think it's also worth pointing out that someone's mania might not look like another person's mania. In my case, hypomania. I am a super quiet, introverted, asocial and calm person. So when I'm suddenly going to social events to meet strangers, planning lots of activities or talking to the mailman, I know something's up. But to others, I just look like a normal, happy, extroverted person.

[@ShmoeBoe]

Would you mostly think of your mania as benefitial then? Or do you still make regrettable decisions during? Have you been formally diagnosed? Sorry if I'm being too intrusive.

[@nerea4327]

@@ShmoeBoe I’ve been formally diagnosed. My hypomania can get out of hand sometimes (too much spending, sleeping around, telling my boss I’m bipolar…) and it’s especially bad when it’s a mixed episode. But it’s muuuuch better than it used to be before meds.

[@ShmoeBoe]

@@nerea4327 Thanks for answering my questions. I'm glad to hear medications are helping you!

[@dionysusapollo]

I'm the same, the most outlandish thing I do is dance in inappropriate places like shops etc.

[@laguria4536]

Yeah, that's me...

[@MS-dw3gs]

I couldn’t believe how fast she was able to speak and thought, “Incredible, some people experiencing mania must be able to speak like John Moschitta!” I listened for a full 2 minutes until I realized I had accidentally set my playback speed to 2x. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@patrickmaynard7553]

Her speech here has the feeling -- content, presentation and pacing included -- of a tragic Arthur Miller monologue. You could literally just drop this into a play as a scene and have the audience spellbound. I wonder what her non-manic moments were like. And I wonder how the rest of her life from that point went.

[@karen0karen]

I have bipolar 2 which is extremely serious. Thankfully I had a doctor who could spot it very early on. Then I lost her and the next doctor said I didnt have it and that I should go off my meds...you can guess how that ended up. I had extreme word salad and could barely keep my thoughts in-line. I did know what was happening so I made an appointment with my new family doctor. My thoughts were do disorganized that I decided to write what I needed to say on my arm when I could get a coherent thought. And, thankfully, even though she was not a psychiatrist, she knew exactly what to do and I was ok. I now have proper medication and have made many other important life changes. Having a long-term family doctor that I trust has been critical.

[@hettyherz]

I wonder, how does it even work in psych wards: you really need a good sleep to treat your mania, but at the same time nurses wake you up several times a night with flashlights to check if you are still breathing. Sounds more like in a couple of days you'll be exhausted rather than getting better.

[@SomeoneBeginingWithI]

I wonder if something like wearing a pulse oximiter (which is small and clips onto your finger and measures your pulse and how much oxygen is in the blood) might be better than checking with torches. In hospitals for physical illness it's quite common for patients to keep a pulse oximiter on. They're not particularly uncomfortable or difficult to wear, there are no needles involved, it's just a light sensor looking small changes in colour. If all the patients wore pulse oximiters while sleeping, staff would be able to see from the nurses station that everyone is still alive, or see if there is a problem.

[@hettyherz]

​@@SomeoneBeginingWithI Probably, but I haven't heard of pulse oximeters which can be monitored remotely. I think, even regular hospitals do not have a possibility to see from their nurse stations if everyone is ok, that's why they have to visit their patients and check them. We have a pulse oximeter at home, and it can't be connected to anything; besides, it definitely would fall off during sleep :) Anyway, any type of remote monitoring equipment would require a huge budget for every room in a hospital, and hospitals usually do not have that amount of free money. And I am pretty sure that their sponsors won't see any use of it to be willing to give their money for this type of equipment. Nurse-checks are cheap. I just don't think that flashlights are needed. Isn't there enough light from corridors to be able to get close to a patient's bed? Besides, to be sure a patient is alive and breathing it would be enough to feel their breath with a palm, and there's no need for flashlights. I don't know though. The use of flashlights just sounds like the check-on system is stuck somewhere in the mid-century and hasn't been reviewed and updated since then.

[@Maverick_Mad_Moiselle]

You don't notice them unless you're already awake or in a phase of light sleep.

[@princessleia9735]

Great video! I would love a video on sleep hygiene and specifiically how important it is for managing and recognizing symptoms of bipolar disorder.

[@rosemadder5547]

A sleep schedule seems impossible for me and my bipolar. I'll be sleeping great, and then a manic episode hits and I'm up all night for a couple weeks or more. I have depressive episodes less often, but that's where I'll get a lot of sleep. Too much. It's quite the roller coaster. I'll be doing so good for so long, feeling healthy, and then BAM. The idea of good sleep hygiene is nice, and clearly important, but I don't see how that would actually be able to be put into practice by us...

[@Elvee427]

I really enjoy these old footages!

[@irenec9880]

Being overtired is horrible

[@francesbale1409]

I feel like theres quite an undue focus on whether the person is talking fast in mania. Sometimes people don't talk fast, are interruptible but are still manic in their minds and in their behaviour. Its one of many symtpoms and dont all need to be present. I've been manic in the past and my mind has been so chaotic i cannot even catch a thought to say out loud so what comes out is just apparently random words but it makes sense to me because you cant see whats joined them up in my head. People also could be talking more than usual for them, their baseline may be lower than average rate, therefore what youre seeing isnt that extreme but it is to that person. So interesting to see these older videos.

[@synapticburst]

God I so recognise the irritability and argumentativeness. I believe this lady is probably naturally introverted and this is probably very out of character for her. I think it must be so difficult for sufferers to cope with the consequences of how different they behave when manic. And the guilt and self-hatred must be crushing.

[@betsywilliamsonyoga]

Sleep is so important for us bipolar folks. As is having a daily routine. I knew how important a daily routine was for me in terms of my mood before I was diagnosed with bipolar. Recently, I went to visit friends for a week so both my sleep schedule and daily routine changed. I was in a slump for 2 weeks after coming home. Since I realized I was able to do some things to keep from falling into a depressed state. Also, I am an inpatient therapist and the manic patients love to tell me they aren’t manic and don’t have bipolar. And they tell me this while talking a mile a minute. I am so glad I know what kinds of things will send me into a mood state. I feel lucky that I can also recognize when I may be moving into depression or mania so I can take action to keep me from going into a depressive or manic state.

[@barbaramatthews4735]

I have unipolar depression (MDD) but I get crappy sleep. I also have PTSD and Generalized Anxiety. I seem to have a lot of anxiety before a depressive episode. The depression with anxiety can make me irritable. I want to shut down and not be bothered. I sometimes feel like people expect too much from me. When I'm healthy i understand it's just normal stuff and social situations usually require participation. My psychiatric treatment team was evaluating me for bipolar because of some overlapping symptoms. They have told me most of the irritability and insomnia are more consistent with the PTSD. I'm recovering from a recent episode that needed hospitalization. My thyroid TSH was so low it was so low that it was a contributing factor. They got my medication straightened out and I'm doing a lot better. My mood is elevated, but not too much. I'm thinking more clearly and am able to concentrate and am enjoying my regular activities again. It's really funny how symptoms overlap and can look other illnesses. A medical problem can exasperbate symptoms too. It's a lot to sort out. A video on multiple diagnosises with how symptoms can overlap or mirror each other, would be interesting. I sometimes wonder how drs figure out patients with complex physical and psychological symptoms. I'm medically retired now. My background is health care. I have a lot of experience in various allied/ auxiliary services. Most of my experience was emerging medicine and prevetive medicine. I was a Hospital Corpsman in the US Navy. (Corpsman is the nautical version of a medic). At least in the US the Navy confuses Army and Air Force personnel with a whole other nomenclature for just about everything. (Marines use a lot of Navy terminology because of the close working relationship)

[@tanyaclark9885]

I’m very interested in what sleep hygiene is about. Btw I’m a support worker for people with poor mental health, you have taught me so much to aid in my job. Thank you.

[@DrSyl]

Great idea for next video!

[@WouldntULikeToKnow.]

Thank you for sharing this, Dr. Syl! My husband has bipolar disorder so it's always good to watch your content on it.

[@synapticburst]

Lack of ability to sleep,is a sign of mania incoming. My loved one gets like this before they become hypomanic. I wish I could help him with sleep hygiene. Please do a video on sleep hygiene if you have time. Thank you for your amazing and helpful channel.

[@alishahufford5786]

I appreciate you for the videos and the Break downs you provide and the way you help us to understand alot better when it comes to mental health ❤ thank you so much ❤

[@sherrijennings9309]

hey Syl, could you do a video on bipolar type 2?

[@raymondmurdock8603]

Lol the irony of watching this because I'm too hypomanic to sleep

[@amirachokri4084]

Thank you Dr Syl good analysis, am a psychology student, and i think that your content is very helpful, informative and insightful 🌷

[@fadmarichie292]

Thanks for the video

[@gpramodram7777]

This was so good!

[@rosemadder5547]

I always know when a manic episode is on the way bc of my sleep. First my dreams get really active, and then a couple days later I'm up until 3 and 4 am. Even if I was up at 6 the morning before. Typically, when I'm even, I sleep from around 22:00 to 7:00. I don't see how sleep hygiene could even be possible with bipolar 😢

[@mmamallama1827]

Great video. TY

[@shannonmulvaney4107]

The intrusive thoughts a constant thing with me.

[@chance5745]

Excellent video and as usual, your transparency is admirable. Best, C.

[@technocardy]

As someone with PTSD and ADHD and does shift work (EMS), I'd love a video on sleep hygiene! I've never had good sleep hygiene as long as I can remember. Constantly tired and not sleeping. Anyways, sleep and the impact it has on the body has become a topic I'm quite fascinated with.

[@RIPvizzini]

13:13 I'm suddenly remembering all the ways I have deliberately messed with my sleep "for fun", I have def tried to lure out my mania and I didn't realize it until just now.

[@Toimeentulija]

Really interesting footage! And would certainly like to hear more about sleep hygiene from a psychiatric standpoint. There's some bipolar disorder in my bloodline, so it's good for me to understand more of how to stay healthy and prevent mental illness on my own part

[@rosesnow2013]

Super interesting commentary! It is valuable to see this, I’m curious what if someone is always like this? The fast talking, heightened emotional state which is highly changeable?

[@jennifergaida1891]

Interested in a video on sleep hygiene. My adult son with ADHD struggles with sleep regularly.

[@kimwalker8872]

This is sort how my hypomania presents. Only difference is I don't sit down and I'm much more active but I think that's an age thing.

[@lcpl4liferod23]

I was diagnosed by painting in 14 hour spirts for days! So him asking about sleep is very familiar.

[@ExcitedBarnOwl-sr1sj]

Hi Dr Syl, there is a video about a person with OCD, it is very interesting the way he explains his experience and I have never heard it explained so accurately. I will leave the link to the obsessive compulsive clown. 😊 thank you!

[@dionysusapollo]

Its like being tossed around in a stormy sea :(

[@joshmarr5784]

Heyy doc im not sure if you aware or not but you might if made editing errors around here 25:13 Loved the video!!!

[@Mike1614b]

the film quality is surprisingly good.

[@lorekallyre7205]

That was fascinating on first viewing. Must look up JOCULAR

[@shannonmulvaney4107]

He's right. Mania sucks.im coming out of a 3 week depressing. I'm starting elated mood. Sleeping is so jumbled

[@terenzo50]

You will find some earlier attention given to mania in The Group (1966), film based on the novel chronicling the time period of 1933 - 1940 in the US.

[@evahocevar7054]

25:24 a bit of thought confusion from Dr. Syl himself ;)

[@middleofnowhere1313]

My husband has the "mild" version of bipolar. 3 psych meds and we still have a lot of challenges.

[@BipolarCourage]

My most viewed video shows footage over a month condensed into 7 minutes, showing elevation into mania. When I was in denial of my bipolar 1 diagnosis & off meds. I filmed because I was curious about how I looked different from the outside (calmer) than how I felt on the inside (extreme energy). Didn't film just before a psychistrist sedated me to sleep.

[@firstchoicetuber3757]

Some days ago I have a panic attack and I have prescrived clonazepam and for anxiety escatalopram but after taking these I feel worst I sufferrred racing thoughts insomnia very painful feeling

[@notmyname6872]

I'm interested in a sleep hygiene video!

[@bethlaustsen6510]

I still sleep when I'm manic. Although not as well i can still get 8 hours a night. But mania is different for everyone.

[@ZadenZane]

Doesn't "euthymic" mean you're in a normal, non-disordered mood? A manic person could be called "hyperthymic" perhaps but not euthymic, surely?

[@DrSyl]

Whoops! I meant to have said euphoric! Sorry about that

[@ZadenZane]

@@DrSyl I learned that word from an American Dr Whybrow who wrote a book in the 90s, "A Mood Apart" that was out around the same time as "Listening to Prozac" which talked a lot about dysthymia. This Dr Whybrow spoke at some length about what he said was the range of "thymic temperaments" from dysthymia to hyperthymia (and cyclothymia) and how these shade off into hypomania and increasingly pronounced manic-depressive states. He explained how the various thymic states and mood disorders are on a continuum with psychotic bipolar I disorder at the extreme but that all kinds of eating disorders and addictions are intermediate rungs on the ladder and manifestations of the same thing. Nobody vomits and purges, nobody turns to hard drugs because they are happy. And gambling habits, addictions and eating disorders often cluster in families with mood disorders. It was a real eye-opener to me in the late 1990s. Also Dr Shahom Das does a channel on forensic psychiatry and he signs off with "stay euthymic!"

[@deborahbasel184]

I would like a video on sleep hygiene.

[@Catherine-el9bv]

Would love to hear any thoughts you have on post-ictal psychosis!

[@agnieszkasulam662]

Could you give a link to the video on nonsleep deep rest, please 14:12

[@DrSyl]

Releases next week

[@agnieszkasulam662]

@@DrSyl Great! Thank you, Dr Syl!

[@Anxsi3]

Andrew Wilson is calling. Did you get back to him?

[@hayleyprice8345]

I always thought electric convolsive theory was used for depressive episodes not mania

[@raymondmurdock8603]

This is really important because people assume it's all fun and sometimes it is but then there's times when it's not no one understands the agitated component how uncomfortable that can be the only way I can describe it is it's like my soul itches is angry restless anxiety like I wanna tear my skin off just to escape my confining body and that makes me crave self destruction m so grateful I'm only type 2 so at least I stay relatively self aware enough to rein in my behavior but it's exhausting I guess it's kind of like drugs sometimes you have the time of your life and sometimes it's a trip from hell

[@mievaa00]

before i got adhd diagnosis doctors thought i had bipolar, its weird because adhd is genetic and many of my relatives have bipolar diagnosis but not adhd, im not psychiatrist but theres slice chance my relatives might have been misdiagnosed, idk

[@clairek-s8918]

I have schizoaffective disorder. I saw my doctor’s notes once after being in hospital and he described me as euthymic. When I asked what that word meant, he said it meant a normal, medium mood. Is that not correct?

[@SomeoneBeginingWithI]

Dr Syl mispoke in the video (he replied to a comment by ZaydenZane). The definition your doctor gave was correct. Dr Syl meant to say "euphoric" but got the words mixed up.

[@PrismYuuzuki]

Her behavior in mania didn’t seem unusual to me. Maybe I’m more often manic than I thought.

[@london_liv5539]

Sleep hygiene please Dr Syl 😊

[@alphadog3384]

No lithium at this point in history? What would be done for her today with the contacts of social history?

[@raymondmurdock8603]

I always knew it If I could just calm down enough to sleep I could reboot my brain and pull myself out of it so I guess that isn't just anecdotal evidence that's the real thing

[@tanyaclark9885]

Think you missed some editing at the end of this video. 😊

[@DrSyl]

Timestamp?

[@joanneculshaw6378]

It’s not good to have convulsive therapy it ruined my mum

[@ButterflySouls-dk1mg]

Whenever I try to listen the cats are very quiet

[@alphadog3384]

Possibly earlier then the 1950's.

[@sarahpauline4904]

looks like 40s to me.

[@tracyhernandez4312]

I wish there was a cure 🥺

[@dionysusapollo]

He said you want to have natural sleep, not alcohol sleep. Is drugged sleep natural sleep I wonder. Like quetiapine induced sleep. Is this the good kind of sleep?

[@cskcm]

Of course that's fine. It makes the doctors money!

[@SomeoneBeginingWithI]

it may not be ideal but it's better than no sleep at all medicine compares the outcome of treatment to what would likely happen without treatment. Sleep with sedatives is better than no sleep at all in a patient with bipolar. If not giving them sedatives means they won't sleep, then giving the sedatives is better. If a person is able to sleep an adequate amount without sedatives, then you shouldn't give them sedatives. Natural sleep is better than alcohol sleep. So you can advise people that it's better for them to not drink alcohol before bed, so that their sleep can be better. If a person can only sleep with alcohol in their system, then they probably have some kind of alcohol addiction or distress that they are suppressing with alcohol. They need to know that it's not normal or healthy to need alcohol to sleep, so that they can seek help for whatever they are struggling with.

[@cskcm]

@@SomeoneBeginingWithI it's not normal or healthy to take sedatives either. Again, follow the money.

[@SomeoneBeginingWithI]

@@cskcm Did you read the part where I said "If a person is able to sleep an adequate amount without sedatives, then you shouldn't give them sedatives." Maybe the incentives are different in America but I've never had the problem in the UK of doctors trying to prescribe medicines I didn't need.

[@cskcm]

@SomeoneBeginingWithI here in the USA if you go to a psych ward they'll give you a sedative for sleep no matter what. You sleep more during the day? Drugs. Don't get 8 hours every night? Drugs. Wake up during the night? Drugs. And it's not just trazadone they're giving out. They use antipsychotics as sleeping pills as well.

[@Maverick_Mad_Moiselle]

You forgot to edit out the part at the end of the video lol

[@ladybaabaa3294]

She keeps looking off to the side...at the camera man. Easily distracted. Possibly flattered or bemused...or self-conscious. She also seems to be somewhat fixated on the dr's "beautiful wife".

[@karatyson8234]

But the camera is in front, not the side. I'm not sure what she is looking at.

[@ladybaabaa3294]

@@karatyson8234 Actually, that's true...hmm!

[@djenne514]

Hyperactive brain doesn't want to sleep

[@dionysusapollo]

Being old repels people as it is, being mentally ill must just compound it. Together its a recipe for social ostracisation.

[@heatheral-hammadi3046]

For heaven sake! I am only 45 and “old people” do NOT repel me. I hope this isn’t true for you?

[@dionysusapollo]

@@heatheral-hammadi3046 No but that's what they say, that they are lonely and ignored. These days usually mental illness is represented by beautiful young women on social media who romanticize it as often as not. The reality hit me seeing an older person. Usually you don't see this.

[@cheeze1713]

Video on p t s d flashbacks

[@avantikadontbeinsane]

i have like the biggest crush on you

[@leslietisdial5753]

He is very good looking

[@t5aylor]

That's your hypomania talking lol

[@avantikadontbeinsane]

@@t5aylor god forbid a girl be ovulating

[@leslietisdial5753]

@@t5aylor lol

[@avantikadontbeinsane]

@@t5aylor god forbid a girl be ovulating

[@c.brownell8618]

You lost me when you referred to ect as safe. It is very damaging. Read Peter Breggin 's book Toxic Psychiatry.

[@heatheral-hammadi3046]

They went away from it for awhile but these past 5-10 years they are using it for a select few and there have been good results.

[@dionysusapollo]

There is a fascinating you tube video from a London psych hospital where a woman was severely dissociated and the only way they could bring her back was ect. She was in a personal hell and I hope if I was like this someone would give me ect. My grandma had it in the 50s or 60s.

[@sarahpauline4904]

Peter Breggin is known for his quackery. His purported views do not correspond with science based literature.

[@cskcm]

​@heatheral-hammadi3046 I went through ect in 2022, my schizoaffective disorder has only gotten worse. The cognitive symptoms are horrible now. It's a medical scam like all of these treatments.

[@drumstruck751]

I feel trapped by my words now. like I can't express myself. mark zuckerburgs team toook a stand against me. I've tried to meet them half way and they seem to have blocled my words from commenting on any video because people follow me. Our lives are in a cage and now the bids can't sing. I've considered killing myself. I want to fight and speak about it but this can't be rightouse and i have no clue as to how i can live in a society without expression. I believe someone will kill me for saying these things aloud in public eye but i'm comfortable as death walks before I. Death is behind and ahead in court. My words are my freedoms but the path i walk only feels free in the cage "Whim of the whether then whim of the habitat; even through hell a voice is expressive and moves." my words are touched. The declaration of independence not once said the government protects the words of any as only those rights are from god.

[@heatheral-hammadi3046]

Hello. Is there a friend that you can show this paragraph to? Or family member? It is very profound.

[@RunninQHsRock]

Hopefully, Britney Spears gets help before its to late.

[@PukarEhecatl]

Fourth

[@snookandrew]

I'm hearing a bit of an irish accent in the lady

[@urban_birddog]

She's Canadian

[@myfmc73]

Can you possibly interview real people, I'm sure you can arrange permission, Australian's. You could keep things low key or provide privacy. I guess that might be unethical to you becoming a psychiatrist....