Hypomania as a Symptom of Bipolar Disorder

Hypomania as a Symptom of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Mania and Hypomania Print Hypomania as a Symptom of Bipolar Disorder Could It Just Be a Very Good Mood? By Marcia Purse Marcia Purse is a mental health writer and bipolar disorder advocate who brings strong research skills and personal experiences to her writing. Learn about our editorial policy Marcia Purse Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on January 04, 2020 Bipolar Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children Your Rights Laurence Dutton / Getty Images Hypomania is an abnormally revved-up state of mind that affects your mood, thoughts, and behavior, and is a potential symptom of bipolar disorder, particularly Type II.?? A hypomanic episode commonly manifests with unusual gaiety, excitement, flamboyance, or irritability, along with potential secondary characteristics like restlessness, extreme talkativeness, increased distractibility, reduced need for sleep, and intense focus on a single activity.?? The specific signs and symptoms experienced during hypomania vary from one person to another. While hypomania could be a symptom of bipolar disorder, this state can occur for other reasons, including depression or use of certain drugs. Hypomania and bipolar disorder are diagnosed separately, so receiving a diagnosis of hypomania does not necessarily mean also being diagnosed as having bipolar disorder. Expressions of Hypomania Hypomania can manifest with a wide variety of behavioral expressions that vary broadly from one person to another.?? Examples of hypomanic behaviors and characteristics include the following: Hypersexuality, which may involve making unusual demands on your partner, inappropriate sexual advances, engaging in an affair, or spending a lot of money on phone sex, pornography, or prostitutesUnusual irritability, excitement, hostility, or aggressionBehaving inappropriately, such as making crude remarks at a dinner partySpending recklessly, like buying a car you cannot affordDressing and/or behaving flamboyantlyTalking so fast that its difficult for others to follow whats being saidJumping from one subject to an unrelated topic while speakingTaking chances you normally wouldnt because you feel lucky Diagnosis Diagnosing hypomania depends on the presence of a combination of key symptoms and features.?? There must be a persistent and abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, accompanied by unusually increased activity and energy for most of the day over at least four days. The mood, activity, and behaviors that accompany hypomania are clearly different from your normal, everyday state, and are readily noticeable to those around you. A lack of mood fluctuation and persistence of your mood state  helps distinguish a hypomanic episode from a normal mood variation. Bipolar Hypomania To be diagnosed with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder, a person generally must experience depressive plus manic and/or hypomanic episodes. Experiencing symptoms associated with hypomania and depression, but not mania, suggests a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder. Other factors may determine if another diagnosis, such as cyclothymia, is more appropriate. Bipolar hypomania is considered present when one experiences three of the following symptoms accompanied by a persistently elevated mood, or four of these symptoms in association with a sustained irritable mood:Reduced need for sleep without feeling tiredUnusual talkativeness or feeling pressure to keep talkingFlight of ideas  or feeling that your thoughts are racingBeing easily distractedFeeling intensely driven to accomplish specific goalsFidgetiness, pacing, or restlessness, also known as psychomotor agitationGrandiose thinking, meaning unrealistic thinking about your powers, talents, or abilitiesExcessive involvement in  activities associated with a high potential for negative consequences, such as spending sprees, gambling, sexual indiscretions, or risky financial investments Differential Diagnoses By definition, certain characteristics and features rule out a diagnosis of hypomania and often point toward a manic episode instead. Symptoms of psychosis, such as ?hallucinations or delusions, exclude the possibility of a hypomanic episode. Additionally, symptoms so severe that they significantly interfere with your daily functioning or necessitate hospitalization exclude hypomania as a possible diagnosis.?? Its also important to rule out medications or recreational substance use as a possible source of your symptoms. Treatment Even in the absence of psychosis and wildly exaggerated moods, hypomania can have serious long-term consequences. Hypersexuality can lead to ruined relationships and sexually transmitted infections. Reckless spending can result in severe financial hardship. Inappropriate behavior can cause you to lose a job or alienate your loved ones. Find Help With these Online Therapy Programs Use of medications called mood stabilizers is the most common and effective way to treat hypomania; your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following:?? Lithium, a mood stabilizer with antidepressant effectsValproic acid, an anticonvulsantBenzodiazepines, anti-anxiety drugsAntipsychotics, which can reduce hypomania symptoms until the lithium or valproic acid take full effect Additionally, there are holistic approaches that can help including the following:?? Regularly eating mealsExercising dailyGetting seven to eight hours of sleep each nightAvoiding stimulants that could act as triggers, such as caffeine, sugar, and loud, crowded social scenes A Word From Verywell If youve been experiencing symptoms related to hypomania, make an appointment with your psychiatrist. They will determine if a diagnosis of hypomania is accurate, and if its also a symptom of bipolar disorder. The Link Between OCD and Bipolar Disorder