From the Guidelines
Hypomania and mania are mood states characterized by elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased energy and activity, with hypomania being a less severe form of mania.
Symptoms of Hypomania and Mania
Symptoms of hypomania include:
- Feeling unusually happy, energetic, or irritable
- Decreased need for sleep
- Racing thoughts
- Increased talkativeness
- Distractibility
- Increased goal-directed activity
- Engaging in pleasurable activities with high potential for negative consequences Mania includes these same symptoms but is more severe, often causing significant impairment in functioning, and may include psychotic features like delusions or hallucinations 1.
Diagnosis and Treatment
During a manic episode, a person might go days without sleeping, spend money excessively, engage in risky sexual behavior, or make grandiose plans 1. These mood states are typically associated with bipolar disorder, with hypomania occurring in bipolar II disorder and mania in bipolar I disorder. The underlying cause involves dysregulation of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Treatment typically includes mood stabilizers like lithium or valproate, antipsychotics, and sometimes benzodiazepines for acute agitation, along with psychotherapy for long-term management 1.
Key Considerations
It is essential to carefully evaluate patients with suspected bipolar disorder for other associated problems, including suicidality, comorbid disorders, psychosocial stressors, and medical problems 1. The diagnostic validity of bipolar disorder in young children has yet to be established, and caution must be taken before applying this diagnosis in preschool children 1.
From the Research
Hypomania and Mania Symptoms
- Hypomania and mania are symptoms associated with bipolar disorder, a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Mania is a state of abnormally elevated or irritable mood, while hypomania is a less severe form of mania 4
- Symptoms of mania and hypomania may include increased energy, reduced need for sleep, and impulsive behavior 3, 4
Treatment of Mania and Hypomania
- Lithium and valproate are commonly used to treat bipolar disorder, including mania and hypomania 2, 3, 5, 6
- Lithium may be effective in treating acute mania and preventing both manic and depressive episodes 2
- Valproate may be more effective as an antimanic agent, while olanzapine and quetiapine may also be used to treat mania and hypomania 3, 4, 5, 6
- Combination therapies, such as olanzapine and valproate or lithium, may be considered in severe cases 3, 4
Comparison of Treatments
- Studies have compared the effectiveness of different treatments for bipolar disorder, including lithium, valproate, olanzapine, and quetiapine 5, 6
- Lithium may be more effective than valproate, olanzapine, or quetiapine as a maintenance monotherapy for bipolar disorder 6
- Valproate may be more effective than placebo in preventing new episodes of mania or depression, but not significantly different from lithium or other anticonvulsants 5