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.
A hypomanic episode is defined by the DSM-5 as lasting four or more days in a row, for most of the day, and involving several other symptoms in addition to changes in mood and activity. Among those symptoms are a spike in self-esteem or grandiosity, a lowered inclination to sleep, greater talkativeness, and increased engagement in potentially hazardous activities such as excessive spending or risky sexual behavior.
Unlike a manic episode, however, a hypomanic episode does not necessarily significantly disrupt a person’s work or social life and does not involve psychotic delusions or hallucinations.
Hypomania is a feature of some mood disorders, namely bipolar disorder and cyclothymic disorder, and those who experience symptoms of hypomania often also go through separate periods of depression.
Key Takeaways
- Hypomania affects mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing
- Understanding hypomania is the first step toward managing it
- Evidence-based approaches can significantly improve outcomes
- Building daily habits is more effective than one-time interventions
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.
Some people with bipolar develop the ability to understand and control hypomania , preventing it from becoming a manic episode. Those who control hypomania explain that they rely on a few key strategies : learning how to assess their state via intensity, awareness, functionality, and comfort, recognizing their state and separating their feelings from their reactions, and taking an inventory of behaviors that adversely affect others.
Even those who can control hypomania believe there is a level of intensity that is impossible to control; full-blown manic episodes can ratchet the level of intensity to disturbed thinking, delusions or hallucinations, days without sleep, and harmful risk-taking such as spending huge sums of money or having an affair or protected sex. A key distinction when identifying if hypomania has gotten out of control is whether those around the person feel comfortable and safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is hypomania?
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.
Is hypomania a serious condition?
Hypomania exists on a spectrum. While mild forms are a normal part of life, persistent or severe hypomania can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. It's important to seek professional support if hypomania is interfering with work, relationships, or wellbeing.
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