Are You ‘Manic Cleaning’ Or Just Tidying Up? 5 Signs To Look For

Written By:

Written By:

manic cleaning 1

Have you ever been tidying your house and thought, “Am I manic cleaning?” Many people have been misusing this term so much that it’s become a viral trend.




But before we get into what is manic cleaning, let’s learn about mania. According to Dr. Aron Tendler, a psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer, “mania” usually refers to bipolar disorder which causes unpredictable shifts in mood, energy, and functioning. Real mania lasts for seven days or more and affects behavior as well as mood and cognition.

And What Is Manic Cleaning Episode?

manic cleaning

Now let’s talk about your sudden motivation to clean the whole house in one day.
Manic cleaning episodes are these intense bursts of goal-directed activity that is most likely several hours of intense cleaning rather than an extended episode lasting days, weeks, or months like true mania. These bursts don’t cause distress or dysfunction either.



If you spend a full week just scrubbing your countertops then maybe it’s okay to use that word. But for the most part, if this high energy riot doesn’t last around a week and doesn’t mess up your life, chances are you’re just keeping things neat!

Manic cleaning episodes, or excessive cleaning behavior, could be a sign of stress, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Here’s five signs and symptoms to look out for.

Related: Why Is Spring Cleaning Important? 10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Decluttering Your Life




5 Signs of Manic Cleaning To Look Out For

1. Intense and Uncontrollable Cleaning Urges

When someone experiences manic cleaning they may have an unmanageable urge to clean that’s tough for them to resist. This goes beyond the normal act of tidying up and often includes repetitive or unnecessary tasks.

2. Neglect of Other Responsibilities

A sign that someone has started manic cleaning is when other essential responsibilities go ignored or untouched. If someone is constantly spending hours on end cleaning at the expense of their work, relationships, or self-care – it might be time to intervene.

3. Perfectionism in Cleaning

Someone who exhibits manic cleaning behaviors often strives for an utterly spotless environment. They will spend way too much time on each task, repeating actions until they feel it’s perfect.




4. Irritability or Anxiety if Unable to Clean

People with manic cleaning tendencies will become anxious or irritable if they aren’t able to give in to their rituals. This can be a sign that there is a dependency on cleanliness as a coping mechanism for underlying stressors.

5. Excessive Use of Cleaning Products

Those who partake in manic cleaning often use excessive amounts of supplies which pose great risks if used excessively such as chemicals like bleach or ammonia. This kind of behavior isn’t just wasteful but can also lead to serious health risks over time.

It is worth noting that these signs do not indicate a specific mental health condition. If someone is experiencing significant distress or impairment in daily functioning due to these cleaning behaviors, they should seek professional help.

Related: 5 Ways Home Cleaning Can Help Destress

Next time you feel a surge of energy that makes you want to clean and organize everything, remember that it might just be healthy, not manic. Keep the cleanliness light-hearted and fun without making light of serious mental health conditions.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information provided. Readers should always seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional for any concerns regarding their mental well-being.




manic cleaning


— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

, ,

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

5 Ways To Find Peace When You Are Taking The High Road

Taking The High Road? Ways To Let Go And Find Peace

Taking the high road can feel like a challenge, especially when things get messy. But letting go of attachments can help you a lot in doing that. It’s also one of the best ways to maintain your peace and stay true to who you are.

KEY POINTS

Taking the high road means behaving in line with our moral and ethical values even when others don’t.

Fear of being misunderstood, judged, or rejected by our peers can make it challenging to take the high road.

We can find a sense of peace if we recognize that our suffering on the high road stems from attachment.

Releasin

Up Next

Reclaim Focus: Overcome the Pitfalls of Shallow Learning

How To Replace Shallow Learning With Deep Learning ? Ways

Are you struggling to retain what you learn? Do distractions derail your progress? Discover how to replace shallow learning with deep learning and reclaim your focus!

Limit social media, engage deeply, and practice mindfulness to enhance focus.

Key points

Shallow learning reduces attention span and hampers deep learning that requires focus and critical thinking.

Deep learning is focused on problem-solving and connecting various sources of new and existing knowledge.

Counter shallow learning with mindful media use, engaging with long-form content, and promoting deep thinking.

Up Next

Boomerasking: The Silent Conversation Killer You Didn’t Know You Had

What Is Boomerasking? Signs You're Guilty Of This Bad Habit

We need to talk. And no, not about you, though that’s kind of the point. If you’ve ever asked someone a question only to immediately shift the conversation back to yourself, you might be guilty of boomerasking.

What Is Boomerasking?

It is a conversational tactic identified by Harvard Business School’s professor Alison Wood Brooks, wherein a question that seems to show interest serves as a guise for the speaker to center the conversation about themself.

Up Next

Why Relationship FOMO Shouldn’t Define Your Love Life

Impacts Of Relationship FOMO To Your Love Life

Are you settling for love just because everyone else seems to have it? Is relationship FOMO driving your choices? Here’s why it shouldn’t define your love life!

Lagging behind whose timeline? Here’s how anxiety can spoil relationship pacing.

Key points

Take time to understand the true motivations behind relationship pace.

It’s important to avoid perceived expectations and define success on one’s own terms.

“Expected timelines” or “greener pastures” can create a sense of urgency and distress.

Up Next

5 Clear Signs You Possess The World’s Most Go Getter Personality

Amazing Go Getter Personality Traits: Do You Relate?

Not everyone wakes up ready to chase their dreams like their life depends on it, but you? You’re different. Having a go getter personality means that you’ve got that spark, that unstoppable drive that makes people take notice. 

If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering why you’re the one always making moves while others are still talking about “someday”…

Here are five clear signs you’re rocking the world’s most go-getter personality. Let’s dive in and see if you’ve got what it takes to claim the title.

Up Next

Learn To Honor Your Feelings: Your Hard Week Matters—Even If Others Have It Worse

Learn To Honor Your Feelings Great Ways To Do It

It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, even if others seem to have bigger struggles. Learn how to honor your feelings – they are valid, and you deserve acknowledgment!

How to honor your feelings without comparing them to others’ challenges.

Key points

Your emotions are valid no matter their scale or how they compare to others’ challenges.

Acknowledging your emotions builds your strength to support others with authenticity and genuine care.

Comparison of struggles creates a false hierarchy that undermines the importance of your own experience.

Research shows that acknowledging th

Up Next

How To Stop Being Judgmental 5 Ways to Undo a Critical Mindset

How To Stop Being Judgmental? Ways to Undo a Critical Mindset

Here’s the deal: learning how to stop being judgmental isn’t just about being nice; it’s about freeing yourself from a critical mindset that holds you back. If you’ve been looking for ways to stop judging others (and yourself), these five tips will help you chill out and see the world through a kinder lens. Let’s find out what you can do to stop being critical!

KEY POINTS

Judging others doesn’t just harm our relationships—it also takes a toll on our mental health.

Minimizing our judgments and critical thoughts of others is something everyone can work on.

Science-based tips include controlling biases, practicing empathy,