Am I Bipolar? Mixed/Manic/Hypomanic Episodes
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms Include Manic, Hypomanic or Mixed Episodes
Apr 4, 2009
In Bipolar Disorders, there is the presence of at least one Manic, Hypomanic or Mixed Episode. The signs and symptoms of these three Bipolar Mood Episodes are defined in this article.
Am I Bipolar? What is a Bipolar Mixed Episode?
A Mixed Episode is a disturbance of mood that meets the criteria for both a Manic Episode (described below) and a Major Depressive Episode. The symptoms must be present essentially every day during a one week period. Presence of a Mixed Episode is usually enough for a Bipolar Disorder to be diagnosed.
A Sign of Bipolar Disorder: What is a Hypomanic Episode?
A Hypomanic Episode could lead to a Bipolar Diagnosis. The criteria for a Hypomanic Episode are:
- A period of at least four days in which the person's mood is unusually high or irritable, and it is clearly different from the person's usual behavior.
- The person exhibits the same number of symptoms required for a Manic Episode, as listed under "Symptoms of a Manic Episode" below.
- The disturbance is noticeable by others, but is not severe enough to require hospitalization or to cause harm. There are no delusions or other thought disturbances present.
- The symptoms are not caused by a drug, medical treatment or medical condition.
If there is the presence or history of a Major Depressive Episode in addition to the Hypomanic Episode, a Bipolar Disorder will probably be diagnosed.
A Manic Episode is a Sign of Bipolar Disorder
A Manic Episode is a sudden, noticeable change in mood that is abnormally high, euphoric, or irritable, or a combination of euphoric and irritable. It must last for at least one week, or shorter if the mood disturbance is so severe as to require hospitalization.
Symptoms of a Manic Episode
Three or more of the following symptoms must be present frequently enough to be very noticeable, but if the mood is just irritable and not euphoric, then four of the following symptoms must be present:
- An exaggerated belief of one’s own importance, including delusions that one is wealthy and powerful or famous.
- Very little sleep.
- Non-stop talking.
- Racing thoughts.
- Inability to focus; an ability to be easily distracted.
- Increased and persistent efforts to engage people in conversation or initiate sexual encounters.
- Sped-up and increased movement of the body.
- Extreme and impulsive pursuit of pleasure which could result in serious problems, for example excessive spending, sexual indiscretions, misguided business ventures.
Other Criteria for a Manic Episode
- There is no period of depressed or low mood during the entire Manic Episode.
- The change in mood and its consequences are severe enough to create problems in functioning, at work or in relationships; or it requires hospitalization to prevent the person from damaging self or others; or there are “psychotic” features, meaning that the person has delusions, which can be described as fixed, false beliefs.
- The symptoms are not due to a drug or medication or other medical treatment, or a medical condition, such as hyperthyroidism.
Bipolar Diagnosis
The four types of Bipolar Disorders are:
- Bipolar I Disorder;
- Bipolar II Disorder;
- Cyclothymic Disorder;
- Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
The presence of a Mixed Episode, Hypomanic Episode or Manic Episode,could lead to a Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis. Having a good psychiatrist and a psychotherapist can help people treat and cope with Bipolar Disorder.
This article is for information purposes only. Those experiencing troubling symptoms should seek the advice of a mental health professional in person.
Source:
- The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, (DSM-IV).
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