Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCharacteristicsExamplesMood StatesEffect on RelationshipsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Characteristics
Examples
Mood States
Effect on Relationships
Treatment
Hypomania refers to a state of elevated emotions and heightened behavior.During a hypomanic episode, a person may feel especially irritable, energetic, euphoric, or distracted. They may also engage in more risky or impulsive behaviors than usual.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about hypomanic symptoms, including what happens during an episode, examples of hypomania, how it affects relationships, treatment options, and more.
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Hypomania vs. ManiaHypomania is less overwhelming and less intense than mania. Although both states affect your mood and behavior, hypomania doesn’t tend to be as disruptive in terms of your daily functioning. Hypomanic episodes are characterized as lasting at least four days, while manic episodes usually last a week or more.
Hypomania vs. Mania
Hypomania is less overwhelming and less intense than mania. Although both states affect your mood and behavior, hypomania doesn’t tend to be as disruptive in terms of your daily functioning. Hypomanic episodes are characterized as lasting at least four days, while manic episodes usually last a week or more.
Characteristics of Hypomania Symptoms
The symptoms of hypomania may include intense anger, euphoria, irritability, and/or energy. Hypomanic symptoms can last anywhere for a few hours or days or weeks. If they persist for four days or more, you may be experiencing ahypomanic episode.
During Episodes
Symptoms of a hypomanic episode may include any or all of the following:
After Episodes
After a hypomanic episode, a person might experience a feeling of “coming down” from a high. Sometimes, this may lead to a depressive episode. Signs of a depressive episode include:
Examples of Hypomania
Hypomania can affect the way a person feels, behaves, and relates to others, as well as how they process information and make decisions. Here are some common examples of hypomanic characteristics:
Behavior
When a person has a hypomanic episode, they may feel more motivated than usual to achieve short-term goals, whether those goals are finishing homework on time, exercising, or partying and socializing. You might find yourself staying up later than usual or getting up earlier. They may also be more driven to engage in risky and/or pleasure-seeking behaviors, such as:
They may also display signs of restlessness known aspsychomotor agitation. For example, people experiencing hypomania may pace the floor, fidget in their seat, wring their hands, pull at their clothes, or repetitively touch objects around them. It might be difficult to focus on details during the day and to fall asleep at night. They may also talk a lot or have speech that seems “pressured.”
Feelings
In a hypomanic episode, many people feel more invincible, motivated, energetic, and excited than usual. With an inflated sense of self-esteem, they might feel like you can take on the world.
Others experienceirritability, impatience, and anger during hypomania. They might be easily annoyed and snap at others, or feel like life isn’t moving fast enough. Some people feel like their thoughts are racing and out of control.
Rage in HypomaniaHypomania is often associated with heightened feelings of excitement and excessive energy, but it can also involve irritability, anger, and rage. During a hypomanic episode, a person may have less patience than usual and even lash out at others. If your anger starts to interfere with your relationships or daily life, targeted anger management counseling may help you learn to develop better self-control.
Rage in Hypomania
Hypomania is often associated with heightened feelings of excitement and excessive energy, but it can also involve irritability, anger, and rage. During a hypomanic episode, a person may have less patience than usual and even lash out at others. If your anger starts to interfere with your relationships or daily life, targeted anger management counseling may help you learn to develop better self-control.
Deciphering Mood States in Hypomania Episodes
It can sometimes be hard to discern whether the happiness or boost in self-esteem you feel during a hypomanic episode is “real.” After all, some hypomanic symptoms can be positive and even helpful in pushing you to achieve your short-term goals.
In fact, some studies suggest that people with higher self-reported levels of happiness and well-being are also more prone to hypomanic symptoms. However, they are also more likely to experiencemood swingsand volatility in their relationships.
Hypomania Effects on Relationships
In the short term, hypomania can feel a lot like falling in love. During a new romantic relationship, many people feel a similarly heightened sense of well-being, excitement, and anticipation as in hypomania.
However, in the long run, both hypomanic and manic episodes can negatively affect the health of a relationship. Irritability and anger can lead to arguments, while risky behaviors (such as excessive spending or even infidelity) can threaten a couple’s stability. If you or your partner have hypomanic symptoms due to bipolar disorder or another condition, consider seeking out couples therapy to help you resolve any conflicts that arise.
Treatment to Manage Hypomania Symptoms
If you have hypomanic episodes, your therapist or psychiatrist may recommend psychotherapy and/or medication to relieve your symptoms. Medications that are typically prescribed to treat hypomanic or manic episodes include:
If your hypomanic symptoms turn into a manic episode, you may need inpatient treatment to stabilize your mood and overall mental health. Your healthcare provider might recommend that you stop taking antidepressants, as they sometimes make hypomanic or manic symptoms worse.
Summary
In a hypomanic episode, you may experience feelings of anger, euphoria, heightened self-esteem, and hyperactivity. You may also be more easily distracted and impulsive than usual. Some people also have trouble falling asleep and staying on task.
Hypomania may feel good in the moment, but it can also lead to risky behavior and interfere with your daily life and relationships. Reach out to a healthcare provider if you think you may have hypomanic symptoms due to amental health conditionlike bipolar disorder. Your provider can help determine the cause and start you on appropriate treatments.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Hypomania.American Psychological Association.Hypomanic episode.MedlinePlus Genetics.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?National Library of Medicine.Table 3.8: DSM-IV to DSM-5 hypomania criteria comparison.American Psychological Association.Psychomotor agitation.Graham RK, Parker GB, Breakspear M, Mitchell PB.Clinical characteristics and temperament influences on ‘happy’ euphoric and ‘snappy’ irritable bipolar hypo/manic mood states.J Affect Disord. 2015;174:144-9. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.042Kirkland T, Gruber J, Cunningham WA.Comparing happiness and hypomania risk: A study of extraversion and neuroticism aspects.PLoS One. 2015;10(7):e0132438. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132438Brand S, Foell S, Bajoghli H, et al.“Tell me, how bright your hypomania is, and I tell you, if you are happily in love!"–among young adults in love, bright side hypomania is related to reduced depression and anxiety, and better sleep quality.Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2015;19(1):24-31. doi:10.3109/13651501.2014.968588Azorin JM, Lefrere A, Belzeaux R.The impact of bipolar disorder on couple functioning: Implications for care and treatment. A systematic review.Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(8):771. doi:10.3390/medicina57080771Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Hypomania.American Psychological Association.Hypomanic episode.MedlinePlus Genetics.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?National Library of Medicine.Table 3.8: DSM-IV to DSM-5 hypomania criteria comparison.American Psychological Association.Psychomotor agitation.Graham RK, Parker GB, Breakspear M, Mitchell PB.Clinical characteristics and temperament influences on ‘happy’ euphoric and ‘snappy’ irritable bipolar hypo/manic mood states.J Affect Disord. 2015;174:144-9. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.042Kirkland T, Gruber J, Cunningham WA.Comparing happiness and hypomania risk: A study of extraversion and neuroticism aspects.PLoS One. 2015;10(7):e0132438. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132438Brand S, Foell S, Bajoghli H, et al.“Tell me, how bright your hypomania is, and I tell you, if you are happily in love!"–among young adults in love, bright side hypomania is related to reduced depression and anxiety, and better sleep quality.Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2015;19(1):24-31. doi:10.3109/13651501.2014.968588Azorin JM, Lefrere A, Belzeaux R.The impact of bipolar disorder on couple functioning: Implications for care and treatment. A systematic review.Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(8):771. doi:10.3390/medicina57080771Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Hypomania.American Psychological Association.Hypomanic episode.MedlinePlus Genetics.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?National Library of Medicine.Table 3.8: DSM-IV to DSM-5 hypomania criteria comparison.American Psychological Association.Psychomotor agitation.Graham RK, Parker GB, Breakspear M, Mitchell PB.Clinical characteristics and temperament influences on ‘happy’ euphoric and ‘snappy’ irritable bipolar hypo/manic mood states.J Affect Disord. 2015;174:144-9. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.042Kirkland T, Gruber J, Cunningham WA.Comparing happiness and hypomania risk: A study of extraversion and neuroticism aspects.PLoS One. 2015;10(7):e0132438. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132438Brand S, Foell S, Bajoghli H, et al.“Tell me, how bright your hypomania is, and I tell you, if you are happily in love!"–among young adults in love, bright side hypomania is related to reduced depression and anxiety, and better sleep quality.Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2015;19(1):24-31. doi:10.3109/13651501.2014.968588Azorin JM, Lefrere A, Belzeaux R.The impact of bipolar disorder on couple functioning: Implications for care and treatment. A systematic review.Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(8):771. doi:10.3390/medicina57080771Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974
American Psychological Association.Hypomania.
American Psychological Association.Hypomanic episode.
MedlinePlus Genetics.Bipolar disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?
National Library of Medicine.Table 3.8: DSM-IV to DSM-5 hypomania criteria comparison.
American Psychological Association.Psychomotor agitation.
Graham RK, Parker GB, Breakspear M, Mitchell PB.Clinical characteristics and temperament influences on ‘happy’ euphoric and ‘snappy’ irritable bipolar hypo/manic mood states.J Affect Disord. 2015;174:144-9. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.042
Kirkland T, Gruber J, Cunningham WA.Comparing happiness and hypomania risk: A study of extraversion and neuroticism aspects.PLoS One. 2015;10(7):e0132438. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132438
Brand S, Foell S, Bajoghli H, et al.“Tell me, how bright your hypomania is, and I tell you, if you are happily in love!"–among young adults in love, bright side hypomania is related to reduced depression and anxiety, and better sleep quality.Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2015;19(1):24-31. doi:10.3109/13651501.2014.968588
Azorin JM, Lefrere A, Belzeaux R.The impact of bipolar disorder on couple functioning: Implications for care and treatment. A systematic review.Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(8):771. doi:10.3390/medicina57080771
Shah N, Grover S, Rao GP.Clinical practice guidelines for management of bipolar disorder.Indian J Psychiatry. 2017;59(Suppl 1):S51-S66. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.196974
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