Which of the following is most suggestive of a diagnosis of mania rather than schizophrenia?
Exam Question Aug 2010
People with mania are often psychotic (suffer with delusions or hallucinations or both) and therefore both conditions can present with similar symptoms and signs.
Flight of ideas is characterised by rapid shifts in subject matter and although seen in both conditions it is said to be typical of mania.
Visual hallucinations of small animals5%Flight of ideas80%Hearing voices from inside the body8%Persecutory delusion4%Thought broadcasting4%
Exam Question Aug 2010
People with mania are often psychotic (suffer with delusions or hallucinations or both) and therefore both conditions can present with similar symptoms and signs.
Flight of ideas is characterised by rapid shifts in subject matter and although seen in both conditions it is said to be typical of mania.
Mania (features)
Features of mania include:-
- Elated/ irritable mood
- Restlessness and overactivity
- Disinhibited behaviour
- Reckless behaviour (e.g. Excessive spending)
- Over ambitious plans for the future
- Flight of ideas and pressured speech
- Mood congruent delusion
- Increased libido
- Decreased need for sleep
