Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFirst EpisodeSigns of HypomaniaTriggersSelf-TreatmentWhen Hospitalization Is NeededBetween Episodes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
First Episode
Signs of Hypomania
Triggers
Self-Treatment
When Hospitalization Is Needed
Between Episodes
Hypomaniais associated withbipolar 2 disorder. Signs of hypomania include noticeably elevated energy, mood, behavior, and activity levels that are markedly different from your usual state of mind.
Hypomania is referred to as a mood episode because it entails symptom exacerbation (severity) like that of a manic episode. The difference between the two is that hypomanic episodes are usually shorter and cause less disruption to everyday functioning than the manic episodes experienced in bipolar 1.
There are healthy ways of coping and self-treatments available for people experiencing hypomania.
This article will cover the signs and symptoms of hypomania, its triggers, self-treatment, and when to seek medical care.
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First Hypomanic Episode: What Happens?
During a hypomanic episode, you’ll experience anoticeable and persistent mood changethat may involve increased feelings of energy, euphoria, and irritability. You may feel exceptionally well and like you can finally finish tasks or keep up with daily responsibilities.
Mania vs. HypomaniaMania is a mood state causing severe impairment, with more intense and longer-lasting symptoms than hypomania. Mania symptoms last at least one week and can result in hospitalization.
Mania vs. Hypomania
Mania is a mood state causing severe impairment, with more intense and longer-lasting symptoms than hypomania. Mania symptoms last at least one week and can result in hospitalization.
Mania Definition, Causes, and Treatment
Bipolar Hypomania Symptoms
Bipolar hypomanic episodes involve the following symptoms occurring most of the day, nearly every day, for four days.Specific symptoms of bipolar hypomania may differ from one person to another. How someone experiences hypomania can also change over time.
Examples of bipolar-related hypomania symptoms include:
Bipolar Type 2 Symptoms
Non-Bipolar Hypomania
Hypomania or ADHD?Bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common comorbid (co-occurring) conditions. Living withbipolar disorder and ADHDcan cause greater functional impairment. Overlapping symptoms include distractibility, excessive talking, and constant changes in plans or activities. How symptoms present and when they occur can differ.Experts say rather than focusing on current symptoms for diagnosis, it’s best to look at “worst ever” symptoms of hypomania to differentiate between whether a symptom stems from bipolar 2 disorder or ADHD.
Hypomania or ADHD?
Bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common comorbid (co-occurring) conditions. Living withbipolar disorder and ADHDcan cause greater functional impairment. Overlapping symptoms include distractibility, excessive talking, and constant changes in plans or activities. How symptoms present and when they occur can differ.Experts say rather than focusing on current symptoms for diagnosis, it’s best to look at “worst ever” symptoms of hypomania to differentiate between whether a symptom stems from bipolar 2 disorder or ADHD.
Bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are common comorbid (co-occurring) conditions. Living withbipolar disorder and ADHDcan cause greater functional impairment. Overlapping symptoms include distractibility, excessive talking, and constant changes in plans or activities. How symptoms present and when they occur can differ.
Experts say rather than focusing on current symptoms for diagnosis, it’s best to look at “worst ever” symptoms of hypomania to differentiate between whether a symptom stems from bipolar 2 disorder or ADHD.
Signs of Hypomanic Episodes in Others
Hypomania may be somewhat less obvious than mania, but symptoms are still observable in others. Signs of hypomania in others include a marked change in mood and functioning, compared to when the person is not experiencing symptoms.
While it’s not possible to know exactly how someone is thinking and feeling (i.e., you can’t see someone’s racing thoughts or hear their internal self-talk), some signs are more noticeable. Examples include:
No individual sign can tell youif someone is experiencing hypomania. Only a qualified mental health professional or healthcare provider can determine whether someone’s symptoms fit the criteria for hypomania. If you have concerns about someone you care about, talk to them about what you’re noticing and ask if they would be willing to seek help.
What It’s Like Living With a Spouse Who Is Bipolar
Triggers: What Brings on Hypomanic Episodes?
Triggers include:
Alcohol and Depression: Understanding the Connection
Self-Treatment During Hypomanic Episodes
Tips for self-treatment during a hypomanic episode include:
Living With Bipolar Disorder
Hospitalization for Hypomanic Episodes
Hypomanic episodes do not require hospitalization.That said, if someone is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide during a hypomanic episode, seeking emergency care is necessary.
Mental Health SupportIf you are experiencing suicidal or dark thoughts or worried about the mental health and safety of a loved one, you cancall or text 988(the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Dial911if in immediate danger.
Mental Health Support
If you are experiencing suicidal or dark thoughts or worried about the mental health and safety of a loved one, you cancall or text 988(the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Dial911if in immediate danger.
Seeking Help? Mental Health Hotlines Offer a First Step
Between Hypomanic Episodes: Planning Ahead
Planning ahead between hypomanic episodes can include keeping a mood journal to track your mood and activities.Mood tracking helps you see the signs or recognize triggers that may lead to hypomania, and make adjustments as necessary to help reduce risk. It’s also important to stick with treatment between episodes and maintain a structured routine, including when you’re feeling well or are experiencing a depressive episode.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Summary
Triggers include stressful life events. Coping includes working with a mental health or healthcare provider, sticking with treatment, mood tracking, and working to adjust lifestyle factors that may be triggering episodes.
9 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.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?Administration SA and MHS.Table 3. 8, dsm-iv to dsm-5 hypomania criteria comparison.Bertschy G, Martz E, Weibel S, Weiner L.Psychopathological dissection of bipolar disorder and ADHD: Focussing on racing thoughts and verbal fluency.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2023;19:1153-1168. doi:10.2147/NDT.S401330Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bipolar relationships: What to expect.Proudfoot J, Whitton A, Parker G, Doran J, Manicavasagar V, Delmas K.Triggers of mania and depression in young adults with bipolar disorder.J Affect Disord. 2012;143(1-3):196-202. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.05.052Smedler E, Sparding T, Hattab A, Sellgren CM, Landén M.Reporting trigger factors for (Hypo)manic episodes in bipolar disorder: association with personality and prognosis.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2020;141(6):534-540. doi:10.1111/acps.13174NHS.Bipolar disorder - causes.International Bipolar Foundation.3 stories of rapid cycling.
9 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.National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?Administration SA and MHS.Table 3. 8, dsm-iv to dsm-5 hypomania criteria comparison.Bertschy G, Martz E, Weibel S, Weiner L.Psychopathological dissection of bipolar disorder and ADHD: Focussing on racing thoughts and verbal fluency.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2023;19:1153-1168. doi:10.2147/NDT.S401330Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bipolar relationships: What to expect.Proudfoot J, Whitton A, Parker G, Doran J, Manicavasagar V, Delmas K.Triggers of mania and depression in young adults with bipolar disorder.J Affect Disord. 2012;143(1-3):196-202. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.05.052Smedler E, Sparding T, Hattab A, Sellgren CM, Landén M.Reporting trigger factors for (Hypo)manic episodes in bipolar disorder: association with personality and prognosis.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2020;141(6):534-540. doi:10.1111/acps.13174NHS.Bipolar disorder - causes.International Bipolar Foundation.3 stories of rapid cycling.
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.
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?Administration SA and MHS.Table 3. 8, dsm-iv to dsm-5 hypomania criteria comparison.Bertschy G, Martz E, Weibel S, Weiner L.Psychopathological dissection of bipolar disorder and ADHD: Focussing on racing thoughts and verbal fluency.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2023;19:1153-1168. doi:10.2147/NDT.S401330Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bipolar relationships: What to expect.Proudfoot J, Whitton A, Parker G, Doran J, Manicavasagar V, Delmas K.Triggers of mania and depression in young adults with bipolar disorder.J Affect Disord. 2012;143(1-3):196-202. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.05.052Smedler E, Sparding T, Hattab A, Sellgren CM, Landén M.Reporting trigger factors for (Hypo)manic episodes in bipolar disorder: association with personality and prognosis.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2020;141(6):534-540. doi:10.1111/acps.13174NHS.Bipolar disorder - causes.International Bipolar Foundation.3 stories of rapid cycling.
National Institute of Mental Health.Bipolar disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.What are bipolar disorders?
Administration SA and MHS.Table 3. 8, dsm-iv to dsm-5 hypomania criteria comparison.
Bertschy G, Martz E, Weibel S, Weiner L.Psychopathological dissection of bipolar disorder and ADHD: Focussing on racing thoughts and verbal fluency.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2023;19:1153-1168. doi:10.2147/NDT.S401330
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bipolar relationships: What to expect.
Proudfoot J, Whitton A, Parker G, Doran J, Manicavasagar V, Delmas K.Triggers of mania and depression in young adults with bipolar disorder.J Affect Disord. 2012;143(1-3):196-202. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.05.052
Smedler E, Sparding T, Hattab A, Sellgren CM, Landén M.Reporting trigger factors for (Hypo)manic episodes in bipolar disorder: association with personality and prognosis.Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2020;141(6):534-540. doi:10.1111/acps.13174
NHS.Bipolar disorder - causes.
International Bipolar Foundation.3 stories of rapid cycling.
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