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Everyone occasionally experiences a pressing desire to talk—whether to share good news or an exciting or unusual experience. If you havebipolar disorder, however, a compulsive urge to talk might represent a symptom called pressured speech. This symptom occurs commonly in adults, adolescents, and children with bipolar disorder experiencingmaniaorhypomania.

A rapid-fire speech pattern is one of the most frequent initial signs of bipolar disorder. It usually occurs with other common signs and symptoms, such as increased energy and activity;reduced need for sleep or insomnia; elevated mood; irritability, agitation, or jumpiness; and racing thoughts.

Important ConsiderationsPressured speech alone does not necessarily indicate bipolar disorder. This symptom can occur with significant anxiety other mental and nervous system conditions—such as schizophrenia, dementia, and stroke—and the use of certain drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Important Considerations

Pressured speech alone does not necessarily indicate bipolar disorder. This symptom can occur with significant anxiety other mental and nervous system conditions—such as schizophrenia, dementia, and stroke—and the use of certain drugs, such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Characteristic Features

Pressured speech differs from ordinary talkativeness and represents a noticeable change in a person’s usual manner of speaking. It manifests as a compelling, virtually irresistible desire to talk.

A person experiencing this symptom feels driven to talk, typically for prolonged periods and faster than usual. Other common features include speaking loudly and emphatically, and talking over or interrupting others.

With a hypomanic episode, the conversation may seem odd but generally logical. Pressured speech during a manic episode, however, usually leaves the listener confused because the conversation is characteristically disjointed, illogical, fantastical, or even scary.

How to Address Pressured Speech

If you or a loved one develops pressured speech and have not been previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder, medical evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause of this symptom. Among people known to have bipolar disorder, the development of pressured speech might be a sign indicating the start of a hypomanic manic episode.

If you have bipolar disorder, development of driven speech signals the need to seek help from your doctor or someone designated to work with you to help manage your condition, such as a friend or family member. Ideally, you and your designated helper will have worked out a strategy in advance to handle these episodes.

For example, if you are able to identify a trigger that led to the episode, removing yourself from that environment or situation may help calm your symptoms. Getting out into nature, taking a walk, or listening to calming sounds might also help reduce your symptoms.

If your symptoms are severe, intensify, or turn violent, it is best to make urgent contact with your doctor or emergency services.

Treating the Underlying Condition

Because pressured speech is a symptom and not a condition, it is important to address the root cause. Particularly among people not previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder, evaluation might involve testing to rule out other conditions, such as a brain injury or drug misuse.

Extreme stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and medication changes are among the common triggers of a hypomanic or manic episode.In such cases, pressured speech and other accompanying symptoms might resolve on their own, with or without counseling. For severe, persistent or intensifying symptoms, however, medication may be needed along withcounseling.

People with mixed episode bipolar disorder—where manic highs occur simultaneously or in rapid sequence with depressive lows—may require more intensive treatment. Mood stabilizers and/or antipsychotic medications are often prescribed. Temporary hospitalization may be necessary if a person is at risk for suicidal or violent actions during an episode.

If you or a loved one are struggling with bipolar disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with bipolar disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

3 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar Disorder.Connolly KR, Thase ME.The Clinical Management of Bipolar Disorder: A Review of Evidence-Based Guidelines.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2011;13(4):PCC.10r01097. doi:10.4088/PCC.10r01097Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.Ask the doctor: What is hypomania?Additional ReadingBope ET, Kellerman RD. Conn’s Current Therapy.Videbeck SL. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing.

3 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar Disorder.Connolly KR, Thase ME.The Clinical Management of Bipolar Disorder: A Review of Evidence-Based Guidelines.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2011;13(4):PCC.10r01097. doi:10.4088/PCC.10r01097Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.Ask the doctor: What is hypomania?Additional ReadingBope ET, Kellerman RD. Conn’s Current Therapy.Videbeck SL. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar Disorder.Connolly KR, Thase ME.The Clinical Management of Bipolar Disorder: A Review of Evidence-Based Guidelines.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2011;13(4):PCC.10r01097. doi:10.4088/PCC.10r01097Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.Ask the doctor: What is hypomania?

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar Disorder.

Connolly KR, Thase ME.The Clinical Management of Bipolar Disorder: A Review of Evidence-Based Guidelines.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2011;13(4):PCC.10r01097. doi:10.4088/PCC.10r01097

Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School.Ask the doctor: What is hypomania?

Bope ET, Kellerman RD. Conn’s Current Therapy.Videbeck SL. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing.

Bope ET, Kellerman RD. Conn’s Current Therapy.

Videbeck SL. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing.

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