Hypomania & Mania
Overview
Hypomania and mania are both periods of elevated mood. They can manifest as an increase in energy, decreased need for sleep, and generally agitated behavior that can have a significant impact on your daily life. Hypomania is a milder version of mania, and these two mood episodes differ in duration, intensity, and functional impairment. Mania lasts at least one week and is characterized by fluctuating elevated and irritable mood. Hypomania lasts at least 4 days. Both of these elevated mood episodes can last several months. Manic episode will present with the severe version of the symptoms while hypomanic episode can be mild to moderate in comparison. If left untreated, hypomania can turn into mania and eventually into full-blown psychosis for someone with bipolar type 1. As a result, they could be at greater risk of acting recklessly with the potential to cause harm to themselves or others. Hypomania, on the other hand, can be more subtle and therefore harder to recognize. Listed below are some of the symptoms that can result from such an elevated mood episode.
Symptoms to look out for :
-Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity.
-Decreased need for sleep.
-Increased talkativeness.
-Racing thoughts.
-Easily distracted.
-Increased goal-directed activity or psychomotor restlessness.
-Engaging in activities that have the potential for painful consequences.
-Unrestrained shopping sprees.
-Dressing or behaving extravagantly.
-Hypersexuality or increased libido.
-Disorganized thinking.
-Feeling extremely lucky and taking unusual risks.
-Speaking much faster than usual.
-Unusual irritability, hostility, or aggression.
-Having a new or strange idea.
-Unrealistic evaluation of your powers, talents, or abilities.
-Feeling connected to celebrities.
-Excessive behavior.
Difference between hypomania and mania
Hypomania
Hypomania, a mild form of abnormal mood, is characterized by elevated or irritable mood, increased energy and activity levels, and a decreased need for sleep. People who experience hypomania may be more productive than usual, have racing thoughts, be more talkative, and engage in risky or impulsive behavior. However, hypomania typically does not cause significant disruption in daily life and may even be experienced as a pleasant state.
Mania
Mania is a more severe form of abnormal mood characterized by intense and highly elevated or irritable mood, increased energy and activity levels, and a reduced or absent need for sleep. People experiencing mania may have grandiose thoughts, be extremely talkative, engage in risky or impulsive behavior, and have difficulty concentrating or making decisions. Mania also causes significant disruptions in daily life, including problems at work or school and strained relationships with friends and family. Mania is also associated with an increased risk of psychosis or psychotic symptoms, such as extreme paranoia or hallucinations.
Key differences
Severity
Mania includes all the symptoms of hypomania, but in a more severe form.
Impairment
While people in hypomania can usually maintain their daily activities and even be more productive with them, mania will cause severe impairment in the ability to maintain their normal activities both at work and in their relationships.
Psychotic symptoms
Often, mania is accompanied by psychotic symptoms or a full-blown psychotic episode. These can range from mild to extreme paranoia and auditory or visual hallucinations.
What can you do ?
It's important to note that both mania and hypomania can and should be treated. First, talk about it to a mental health professional you trust. If it's someone in your life, try to talk to them about the importance of taking the right steps to ensure that the situation is kept under control by consulting a mental health professional. After that, you can consult the tools for hypomania and mania or the inspiration page to help you use this extra energy in a safe and productive way.
Sources:
Hypomania vs. Mania: What's the Difference?
https://www.verywellmind.com/hypomania-vs-mania-5208167#:~:text=Mania%20and%20hypomania%20differ%20with,they%20are%20mild%20to%20moderate.
DSM-IV to DSM-5 Hypomania Criteria Comparison
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519704/table/ch3.t9/#:~:text=A%20distinct%20period%20of%20abnormally,the%20day%2C%20nearly%20every%20day.
Diagnosing Mania in the Age of DSM-5
https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16091084#:~:text=DSM%2D5%20describes%20the%20primary,Kraepelin%2C%20referred%20to%20this%20phenomenon
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