They believe their episodes of hyperactivity are “mania”.
As described below, Diagnostic Statistics Manual (DSM) -IV
defines specific criteria for
mania and hypomania.
A few hours or day of elevated mood / high energy
does not fit the diagnosis. Also, these episodes are
not driven by situation (eg. staying up all night to
complete a project) or anxiety.
Manic Episodes significantly interfere with daily functioning,
while Hypomanic Episodes may not impair functioning.
A mood stabilizer can help treat these episodes.
Manic Episode
A.A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary).
B.During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
(1)inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
(2)decreased need for sleep(eg. feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
(3)more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
(4)flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
(5)distractibility(ie. attention too easily drawn to unimportant or
irrelevant external stimuli)
(6)increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
(7)excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (eg. the person engages in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions or foolish business investments)
Hypomanic Episode
A.A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood,
lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the
usual nondepressed mood.
B.During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
(1)inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
(2)decreased need for sleep(eg. feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
(3)more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
(4)flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
(5)distractibility(ie. attention too easily drawn to unimportant or
irrelevant external stimuli)
(6)increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
(7)excessive involvement in pleasurable activitiesthat have a high potential for painful consequences (eg. the person engages in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions or foolish business investments)
C.The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the person when not symptomatic
D.The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others.
E.The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features.
Note: Hypomanic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic
