Which of the following is true regarding hypomania?
Exam Question Feb 2008
It is associated with mood congruent delusions10%It is associated with bizarre delusions4%It does not severely affect psychosocial functioning79%Hypomania is a more severe form of mania4%It usually presents with hallucinations4%
Exam Question Feb 2008
Mania
Mania
Mania is a state of abnormally elevated mood.
The features of mania include:-
- Mood. The mood is often described as elevated or expansive (an expansive mood implies the patient shows a lack of restraint in expressing their feelings and overvalues their significance). Irritability is also common.
- Thought and speech. Speech is often rapid, and difficult to interrupt (aka pressured speech). The topic of speech tends to jump quickly with little logical connection (aka flight of ideas).
- Psychotic symptoms. Delusions and hallucinations may be present and tend to be consistent with the patients mood (mood congruent). Common delusions related to special powers or purpose.
- Behaviour. Self care and normal responsibilities are often neglected. The need for sleep reduces. Sex drive tends to increase.
Hypomania
Hypomania is generally thought of as a less severe form of mania.
In the ICD-10 hypomania is differentiated from mania by duration and symptoms. Hypomania is an elevated mood for a minimum of 4 days. Mania requires a minimum of 7 days.
Features which would suggest mania rather than hypomania include:-
- Flight of ideas
- Psychotic symptoms
- Loss of social inhibitions
The DSM-IV differentiates between mania and hypomania by stipulating that hypomania occurs without any marked social or occupational interference.
