DIG FAST: Easy Signs to Understand a Manic Episode
- Donald St Pierre, MSN, RN-BC
- Nov 8, 2025
- 5 min read
Bipolar disorder is a brain illness that causes strong mood swings.People can have:
very “low” times (depression)
very “high” times (mania or hypomania) (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2024; New York State Office of Mental Health, 2023).
A manic episode is not just feeling happy or excited. It is a period of abnormally high or irritable mood with lots of extra energy and activity that lasts for days and causes problems at school, work, or home (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; NIMH, 2024).
Doctors use a checklist in the DSM-5 and other guides, but nurses and students often use a simple memory trick called “DIG FAST” to remember the main symptoms of a manic episode (Osmosis, 2024; Time of Care, 2024; Nursing.com, 2024; mnemonics.co, 2024).
Let’s explain each letter in DIG FAST in kid-friendly language.
D – Distractibility
Someone in a manic episode may:
Have trouble staying focused
Jump from one thing to another
Get pulled away by every little sound or sight
DSM-5 lists distractibility as one of the key manic symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Carepatron, 2024).
“It’s like their brain is a TV with the channels changing all by themselves.”
I – Indiscretion (Risky Behavior)
Indiscretion means doing things that are too risky or impulsive, such as:
Spending a lot of money suddenly
Driving too fast
Using drugs or alcohol
Having unsafe sex
During mania, people may feel so “up” that they don’t see the danger (Osmosis, 2024; Time of Care, 2024).
“They may do wild things that could get them hurt or in serious trouble.”
G – Grandiosity
Grandiosity means feeling much more important or powerful than you really are.
Examples:
Saying “I’m the smartest person in the world”
Believing you have special powers
Thinking you don’t need sleep, food, or medicine
Grandiosity or very inflated self-esteem is a DSM-5 manic symptom (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Making Progress, 2025).
“They may act like a king or queen who can do anything and never make mistakes.”
F – Flight of Ideas
Flight of ideas means racing thoughts. Ideas come so fast that the person:
Talks in quick jumps from topic to topic
Is hard to follow in conversation
DSM-5 describes this as “flight of ideas or racing thoughts” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Carepatron, 2024; PsychEducation.org, 2023).
“It’s like their thoughts are running a race and their mouth is trying to keep up.”
A – Activity Increase
During mania, people often have a big increase in activity or goal-directed behavior, such as:
Starting many projects at once
Constantly cleaning, working, or socializing
Being on the move all day
Guides from NIMH and Mayo Clinic both describe mania as having more energy and activity than usual that can last for days (NIMH, 2024; Mayo Clinic, 2023; Veterans Health Administration, 2023).
“They seem like they have a motor inside and can’t slow down.”
S – Sleep Deficit (Decreased Need for Sleep)
A classic sign of mania is a decreased need for sleep. The person:
Sleeps much less than usual (maybe only a few hours)
Still feels “full of energy” and doesn’t feel tired
DSM-5 lists this as “decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only three hours)” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Carepatron, 2024).
“They might stay up almost all night and still bounce around the next day.”
T – Talkativeness
Finally, mania often includes talking much more than usual or feeling pressure to keep talking.
Speech can be very fast and hard to interrupt
The person may jump topics or talk for a long time without stopping
This “more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking” is also in DSM-5 criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Making Progress, 2025).
“It’s like their words are a waterfall—they just keep coming.”
How Is Mania Different from Just Being Happy?
Everyone has good days and bad days. Mania is different:
It lasts at least a week (or any length if the person needs hospital care)
It includes several of the DIG FAST symptoms
It causes real problems at school, work, home, or with money and safety (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Health Harvard, 2023; SAMHSA, 2020).
Simple rule:
If mood and energy are so high that life starts to fall apart, it may be mania—not just a good mood.
What to Do If You See These Signs
If you think you or someone you care about might be having a manic episode:
Talk to a trusted adult or health professional.A primary-care doctor, psychiatrist, or mental health clinic can do a full check-up (NIMH, 2024; Therapist Aid, 2023).
Do not ignore big changes.Mania is treatable with medicine, therapy, and support, but it can be dangerous if left untreated (Mayo Clinic, 2023; SAMHSA, 2020).
If there is immediate danger– for example, the person is very out of control, talking about hurting themselves or others, or unable to care for basic needs –call your local emergency number or a crisis hotline right away.In the U.S., you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Tee Shirt: Education You Can Wear (DIG FAST Mania Awareness)
Bipolar disorder affects millions of adults and teens around the world (NIMH, 2024; Treatment Advocacy Center, 2022).
Many people have never heard the words distractibility, grandiosity, or flight of ideas. When these DIG FAST words are turned into a bright, cartoon design, it helps:
Families learn the major signs of a manic episode
Kids and teens remember the letters and what they mean
Friends and loved ones spot early warning signs and help the person get care
Every time someone wears the DIG FAST shirt, it can start a simple conversation:
“What does DIG FAST mean?”
And that short talk could be the first step toward recognizing bipolar disorder and getting treatment.
This is education you can wear—mental-health awareness in plain language.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Manic episode criteria.
Carepatron. (2024). DSM-5 criteria for mania.
Health Harvard. (2023). Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder: What to do next.
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Bipolar disorder: Symptoms and causes.
mnemonics.co. (2024). Mania: cardinal symptoms (DIG FAST).
National Institute of Mental Health. (2024). Bipolar disorder.
New York State Office of Mental Health. (2023). Bipolar disorder information booklet.
Nursing.com. (2024). Manic attack signs and symptoms nursing mnemonic (DIG FAST).
Osmosis. (2024). DIG FAST: manic episode mnemonic. Osmosis
PsychEducation.org. (2023). A guide to mania: recognizing a manic episode.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Understanding bipolar disorder.
Therapist Aid. (2023). Bipolar disorder info sheet.
Time of Care. (2024). DIG FAST for symptoms of a manic episode.
Treatment Advocacy Center. (2022). Bipolar disorder fact sheet.
Veterans Health Administration. (2023). Understanding bipolar disorder.
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