Which of the following delusions is least likely to be seen in mania?
Belief that they can read peoples minds5%Belief that people are inserting thoughts into their minds81%Belief that people find them irresistible5%Belief that they can fly6%Belief that they are invincible4%
Affective disorders (e.g. Depression, bipolar) tend to display mood congruent delusions. Delusions in schizophrenia tend to be mood incongruent.
Psychotic experiences in mania are typically mood congruent. This means they are consistent with the mood they experience. Mood incongruent psychotic experiences are either mood neutral or the opposite of the prevailing mood.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
