What’s the Difference Between Mania and Hypomania in Bipolar Disorder? by Robyn Tamanaha, LMFT
Individuals living with bipolar disorder experience periods of mania and hypomania, in addition to periods of depression. The difference between mania and hypomania can be confusing because they share most of the same symptoms; however, there are key differences.
Symptoms
Mania can include hallucinations or delusions. Although this is not a required criterion for mania, if an individual experiences hallucinations or delusions, they might be experiencing a manic episode. A hallucination is seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling physically touched by something or someone that is not there. A delusion is a belief that is not understandable, has no evidence, and is not in line with a usual life experience.
It’s also important to note that although other symptoms are included in both mania and hypomania, how they are expressed can look different. Has the individual’s sleep decreased to 3-4 hours or have they been without sleep for days at a time? Has shopping outside their price range included purchasing five gallons of their favorite juice at the grocery store or a jacuzzi with all of the bells and whistles and a new car?
Length of Time
A hypomanic episode is brief, lasting at least 4 days in a row. A manic episode is longer, lasting at least 7 days in a row.
Life Impact
The symptoms of mania, and their severity, impact an individual’s life to the point where their school/work performance, relationships, or how much they take care of themselves, decline. The individual may have a history of losing jobs, extreme financial losses, or interaction with the legal system, to name a few. Although not required, an individual might be hospitalized to prevent them from harming themselves or others.
A hypomanic episode does not lead to impairment. This means that although the symptoms are experienced, they’re not severe enough to have a major impact on the individual’s work/school performance, social relationships, or how they take care of themselves. The symptoms experienced can make it difficult in these areas of life; however, the individual won’t experience a major loss in these areas.
As you can see, the difference between mania and hypomania can be complex, which is why it’s important to meet with a mental health professional for clarification. For example, if an individual noticed a reaction on their skin, they would need to go to a doctor for a correct diagnosis after an examination, which would include being asked many questions from the doctor. This is the same for bipolar disorder. A mental health professional will ask follow-up questions depending on the symptoms that are experienced and expressed by the individual. Identifying if an individual is experiencing a manic or hypomanic episode, along with the length of time of the depressive episode, will then lead to a formal diagnosis of Bipolar I or Bipolar II.
Source: Information from this blog article is from the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association, 2013
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Disclaimer: This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. The topics being discussed are meant as a self-help tool for you own use. It is not psychotherapy or counseling. This information is to be used based on your own judgment. If you need to speak with a professional, you should find one local to you and contact them directly.