manic episode
Last reviewed 01/2018
Mania is a mood disorder in which the predominant feelings are of elation and euphoria.
Insight is often lost and for this reason manic patients represent a significant proportion of compulsory admissions to hospital.
Hypomania, as defined by DSM-IV, is characterised by milder elevation of mood and overactivity (lasting at least 4 days) without psychotic features or significant functional impairment.
Manic episodes may be part of a lifetime pattern of mood disorder. Lifetime diagnoses which include manic episodes include:
- bipolar affective disorder
- cyclothymia (hypomania rather than mania)
Reference:
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.