From the Guidelines
Hypomania is characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and decreased need for sleep, but with less severity than full mania, as evident from the characteristic mood changes, including marked euphoria, grandiosity, and irritability, with associated racing thoughts, increased psychomotor activity, and mood lability 1. Symptoms of hypomania include:
- Feeling unusually happy, excited, or irritable
- Having racing thoughts and rapid speech
- Being easily distracted
- Experiencing increased energy and activity levels
- Needing less sleep without feeling tired
- Showing poor judgment and impulsivity
- Engaging in risky behaviors like spending sprees or sexual indiscretions
- Having an inflated sense of self-confidence These episodes typically last at least four days and represent a noticeable change from normal behavior, but don't severely impair functioning or require hospitalization like full mania. Hypomania is often associated with bipolar II disorder and can sometimes progress to mania if untreated, with significant depressive symptoms that may precede, occur conjointly, or follow those of mania within the same episode 1. It's essential to seek medical attention if experiencing these symptoms, as proper diagnosis and treatment can help manage the condition and prevent progression to more severe episodes, with treatment options including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or psychotherapy.
From the Research
Symptoms of Hypomania
The symptoms of hypomania are not explicitly listed in the provided studies. However, the studies discuss the treatment and management of bipolar disorder, which includes hypomanic episodes.
- The studies mention that manic and hypomanic episodes are characterized by a distinct change in mood and behavior during discrete time periods 2.
- The DSM-5 incorporates a broad concept of mixed states and captured ≥3 nonoverlapping symptoms of the opposite polarity using a "with mixed features" specifier to be applied to manic/hypomanic and major depressive episodes 3.
- Bipolar disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania or hypomania, but the specific symptoms of hypomania are not detailed in the provided studies.
Treatment of Hypomania
The treatment of hypomania is often similar to the treatment of mania, and may involve the use of mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and other medications.
- Atypical antipsychotics such as olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, ziprasidone, and aripiprazole have demonstrated efficacy in bipolar mania in large randomized, controlled studies 4.
- Lithium is an effective maintenance treatment for bipolar disorder and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acute mania 5.
- Combination therapies with atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers can be considered in severe cases 3.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis and optimal treatment of bipolar disorder are often delayed, and early diagnosis and treatment are associated with a more favorable prognosis 2.
- Long-term treatment consists of mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproate, and lamotrigine, as well as antipsychotic agents 2.
- More than 50% of patients with bipolar disorder are not adherent to treatment, and life expectancy is reduced by approximately 12 to 14 years in people with bipolar disorder 2.