Hypomania is a state of heightened or irritable mood and unusually increased energy or activity that is similar to but less intense than mania . A hypomanic episode is a distinct period of time in which these marked changes from a person’s baseline mood and energy are apparent.
Positive and Negative Aspects of Hypomania
For someone experiencing a stretch of hypomania, a burst of energy, rush of ideas, or interest in achieving goals may add up to a generally positive experience. There may be a blurry line between a functional period of hypomanic productivity and a more severe state that indicates professional care is warranted.
Hypomania can, however, involve negative aspects (including irritability) and may increase the possibility of harm resulting from risk-taking behavior. It can also coincide with depressive symptoms.
While not everyone who experiences hypomanic symptoms has a mood disorder , their presence is important to any broader consideration of a person’s mental health history. A hypomanic episode is key to the psychiatric definition of bipolar disorder type II, which also involves major depression, and is associated with a high risk for suicide .
Hypomania can be positive when the symptoms coalesce to produce an extremely goal-oriented and focused individual. Functional people in a hypomanic state are able to keep their goals rational and concise, and they can plan around them accordingly. Freud believed, for instance, that people are fully functional when they retain the ability to do three things: work, play, and love. Hypomania becomes a problem, however, if risky behaviors emerge or if the episode progresses into mania or depression.
Explore More About Hypomania
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