What Is Mania and Hypomania?

Mania and Hypomania. Introduction.

Mania and hypomania are mental states characterized by elevated energy level, mood, and emotional instability typical for bipolar disorder.

Manic episodes are more severe than those of hypomania and often associated with delusions, such as ideas of grandeur, called megalomania, and hallucinations

The hypomanic symptoms are less pronounced and characterized by euphoria, elevated energy level and increased productivity, however the latter can be perceived by the patient only subjectively.

Patients in hypomanic state still have a reality proof, allowing them some level of control, and even to carry on with their daily routine.

Symptoms of manic episode

A person in manic episode has reduced reality proof combined with rapidly changing emotions. In the manic phase the patients feel creative, energetic, hyperactive, invincible, or destined for greatness. Patients in a manic state don’t feel impaired and they deny that there is anything wrong with them.

While mania feels great at first, it has a tendency to spiral out of control and it has always negative impact on patients professional career and private life. Due to poor judgment and impulsive behaviour patients in the manic episode cross their normal moral boundaries acting recklessly and making foolish business investments, overbuying, gambling, offending friends and family members or engaging in inappropriate sexual activities. After the manic episode they are usually confronted with chaos in their social and professional circles leading frequently to job los or divorce.

Full developed mania disables people’s normal functioning and leads to their hospitalization.

Symptoms of hypomania

People with hypomania have little need for sleep, they feel energetic and subjectively productive. Hypomania differs from mania in that it lacks psychotic symptoms and is less disruptive to individual’s ability to function in the society.

Hypomania is a feature of bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, and may also be present in schizoaffective disorder. It occurs sequentially as mood disorders fluctuating between normal mood and mania. Often people with Bipolar I disorder have both hypomanic and manic episodes.

Untreated hypomania often escalates to full-blown mania. Bipolar I Disorder may begin with hypomania, which persists at the same level, or progresses to a full manic state.

Diagnosing bipolar disorder

The ICD 10 (International Classification of Diseases) criteria for bipolar disorder do not require the presence of depressive episodes to diagnose the patient with bipolar disorder. After ruling out the secondary cause, a single manic or hypomanic episode may be sufficient to diagnose bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.

Causes of mania and hypomania

Mania and hypomania are multifactorial syndromes occurring mostly with bipolar disorder. However, they can be also associated with other conditions as schizoaffective disorder, certain types of psychosis, or delirium.

Manic symptoms can also be caused by physical disorders such as multiple sclerosis, hyperthyroidism, or by overdosing certain medication, for example corticosteroids or by the abuse of stimulating drugs.

Mania, hypomania and bipolar disorder. Conclusion

• manic or hypomanic states are syndromes and not disorders. They are typical for bipolar disorder but can also appear in other psychiatric or physical disorders.

• Men and women have an equal chance to develop manic or hypomanic state. The first episode in men tends to be a manic episode, while women are more likely to first experience a depressive episode.

• Genetics and one’s family history appear to both have some influence over the likelihood of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

• Differing rates of bipolar disorder have not been reported for different races. Lower socioeconomic status may be slightly linked to a higher rate of bipolar disorder.

• The estimated average age for the onset of bipolar disorder is during the early 20s, although there have been reports of the disorder beginning as early as elementary school. In fact, bipolar disorder appears before age 20 in about one in five manic individuals.

• Younger patients first may suffer cyclothymia, which is basically a less extreme form of bipolar disorder characterized by hypomanic and mild depressive episodes. Although people with cyclothymia display less intense symptoms, nearly half of them will progress to having a full manic episode.

http://psychcentral.com/lib/who-gets-bipolar-disorder/000913