Manic Traits: An EP/SB Description 040597

A revised version of "Manic Traits" was published in "Across Species Comparisons and Psychopathology" in April, 1998. Information about ASCAP (affiliated with HBES) is available from Russ Gardner, MD at ascap@utmb.edu
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These comments attempt to fit a troubling clinical pattern into an evolutionary context and with little attention to Standard Social Science Model explanations of mania. The observations are based on "clinical lore" plus some extrapolations from what is known about bipolar disorder.
Mania occurs far more often than bipolar disorder but at intensities that fall short of clinical standards for making a formal diagnosis. However, even subclinical mania has assets and costs for the individual and for people around him.(1)

The following traits overlap with DSM 4; however, some features are emphasized because of my concern with sociobiology and evolutionary psychology. Many aspects of our lives (and our fellow creatures) appear to reflect "diversity driven by competition"; it may be useful (and fun!) to look at mania through these ideas. The following remarks pay little heed to biological clocks as an antecedent for manic episodes; likewise, "chemical imbalances" are not a concern here although they could be one link in the adaptive systems that underlie mania. Much of the discussion is focused on children but has equal relevance for adults.

Manics are recognized by a variety of traits that may reflect an adaptive system that works to increase their standing in the family, peer group, or school. These traits include the same tactics used often by most children; however, there is an increased intensity about them. Manics have a more prominent display of traits that likely occur in more subtle form in less driven people.(2) The list includes:

(a) Rapid speech, high activity level. (3)

(b) Grandiosity as seen in elaborate plans to commandeer a disproportionate share of family and neighborhood resources. Recruiting friends, gathering money, domineering the parents, or defeating siblings are common goals. There may be a sense that the "rules don't apply to me" or "I will figure a way even if I get in trouble."

(c) Having the best (clothing, toys, friends, tools) or doing the best are key motivators if useful for defeating social rivals. Excellence is pursued not for itself but as a means to get ahead of competitors. Defeating someone in a fight or contest is especially rewarding.

(d) Denial or rage when criticized or embarrassed; refusal to admit to faults, refusal to accept advice, or help.

(e) Reduced sleep or fatigue in association with irritability and hyperactivity.

(f) Hypersexuality in some cases (after puberty; heightened interest in opposite sex can occur before puberty perhaps as a means to increased social status). Manic adults share their gametes more freely than average.

(g) Obeying instructional or parental demands if such demands help the pursuit of dominance. Ignoring them if they are irrelevant to social and power agendas; defying them if they lead to a loss in standing.

(h) More intense use of physical aggression ("He hit me!"), invasion of personal space ("He's in my room!"), theft ("He took my stuff!"), insults ("He looked at me, he called me a name!") coalitions ("All the other kids are doing it"), intimidation (staring a sibling down, "If you say 'no,' then I won't do my homework"), retaliation (won't do homework when angry with the teacher), excess use of "Not Fair." Supplemental tactics of spite, lying, guilt, property destruction all for enhanced personal power.

(i) Their psychological adaptations for monitoring their relative social standing, their power, their possessions appear to be at maximum gain yet with micrometer resolution.

All of the above features plausibly support determination, persistence, and competition directly. They also support directly and indirectly personal as well as inclusive fitness.

Some children are more domineering than others; they often may have at least one domineering parent or grandparent. They may also have a timid parent as well.(4) The meek sometimes don't inherit the earth; they sometimes get to rear its future despots.(5) The manics can be remarkable; however, they can also Drive to Distraction (6) an enabling mother or one who is manic herself and obsessively idolizes her child. More extreme forms of mania blend into the troubling pattern known as "bipolar disorder."(7)

The positive aspect of mania is that a high energy level and a driven nature (with intact Executive Functions, a nature that plans, that analyses events and imagines different outcomes) in combination with a high IQ, reasonable social opportunity, and the relevant psychological adaptations (talents, complex adaptive systems) will attain prominence in science, literature, the arts, engineering, or social leadership.(8)

NOTES:

(1) Gregory Bateson (1963, "Role of somatic change in evolution," Evolution, 17, pp 529-539. Reprinted in Belew R & Mitchell M. Adaptive Individuals in Evolving Populations: Models & Algorithms. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley, 1996, pp 111-124.) refers to "homeostatic costs" for any new feature that is genetically driven. A single mutation, even if nonlethal, will impose additional loads on ancillary physiological systems to help the organism handle the new feature. A longer neck on a giraffe may require hypertrophy of baseline cardiac function. Selective pressure then exists for any mutation that leads to larger or stronger hearts. Mania certainly imposes many costs and adjustments in other psychological adaptations that a person may have. It also presents social opportunities for surrounding individuals.

(2) High energy and activity level are thought to increase mating attractiveness. See Buss D, Evolution of Desire, Basic Books, 1994.

(3) Manics seem highly intent on accomplishment regardless of social costs. There is often a trail of confusion in their families, friends, and business associates. It could be that family stability, parental investment, and eventual reproductive success depend greatly on there being a parent who will compensate for the manic partner. The manic may recruit an "enabler" as a social buffer (and "servant" for the trivial, annoying, petty details of living. I know wives who put shoes on their manic husbands! And manic males who look upon any family chore as "woman's work."!); the enabler conceivably might enhance their personal social gains and inclusive fitness by recruiting a manic spouse. (Miss Timid gains in standing if she rides in Hunk's GTO or Viper.)

(4) One mechanism for increasing "inclusive fitness" is for a female to find a highly "fit" male so that she will have more attractive children. Thus, her own genetic traits will more likely be transmitted to her grandchildren throughsion of personal space ("He's in my room!"), theft ("He took my stuff!"), insults ("He looked at me, he called me a name!") coalitions ("All the other kids are doing it"), intimidation (staring a sibling down, "If you say 'no,' then I won't do my homework"), retaliation (won't do homework when angry with the teacher), excess use of "Not Fair." Supplemental tactics of spite, lying, guilt, property destruction all for enhanced personal power.

(i) Their psychological adaptations for monitoring their relative social standing, their power, their possessions appear to be at maximum gain yet with micrometer resolution.

All of the above features plausibly support determination, persistence, and competition directly. They also support directly and indirectly personal as well as inclusive fitness.

Some children are more domineering than others; they often may have at least one domineerganized and pay great attention to issues of power and standing but have no concept of time or purpose for behavior and goals that don't have immediate social or economic relevance.

(6) Prevailing thought is that oppositional ("Don't tell me what to do, you're not my boss") behavior is largely a function of parental inconsistency. That is, arguing works to avoid or escape chores or to gain more privileges. Oppositional behavior, in a manic child, not only avoids the chore but is also reinforced by the gain in social standing that results from defeating mom or dad. Oppositional children often have depressed mothers. Speculation differs as to whether the mother is depressed because she has no leverage over her child (thus, is a "bad mom" in her own eyes) or whether the mother is depressed and withdrawn and the child has to be disruptive to elicit attention from her. It could also be that a manic mom who loses the dominance fight against her husband and child will become depressed. Depression itself may function as a psychological adaptation that gains mercy ("Don't bug your mother!) or retains influence even in defeat.

(7) See earlier postings from 3/19/97-4/1/97 on ADHD and Mania. See also Glasser JM: Differential diagnosis of ADHD and bipolar disorder. ADHD Report, 3(3), 8-10(1995). Wozniak J, Biederman J: Prepubertal mania exists (and coexists with ADHD). ADHD Report, 2(3), 5-6 (1994).

(8) Even the word "arena" implies a show or contest. Also, see "Touched with Fire" by Kay Redfield Jamison (1993, New York: Free Press) for a convincing description of bipolar disorder interacting with literary and other artistic talents. After you read Jamison, give another look to Frank Sulloway, (1996) "Born to Rebel," New York: Pantheon for a long roster of probable manics and bipolar characters from the sciences.

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