Characterized by a less severe form of mania (an abnormally elevated mood), hypomania can be experienced alone or with depression, a condition called bipolar disorder II. During a hypomanic episode, the patient can feel exceptionally good and may not think anything is wrong, according to the Mind website. To be diagnosed with hypomania, the patient must fulfill specific criteria, such as a certain number of symptoms and duration of these symptoms.
Symptoms
For a patient to have hypomania, she must have an elevated mood plus three or more symptoms. The Mayo Clinic notes that if a patient has an irritable mood instead, she must have four or more symptoms to be diagnosed with hypomania. The symptoms of hypomania are similar to mania, but they are not as extreme. The patient can have inflated self-esteem, participate in risky behavior and have a decreased need for sleep. Unusual talkativeness, increased goal-directed activity and distractibility are also symptoms of hypomania. The patient can also have racing thoughts and a high energy level. In addition, these symptoms must be severe enough to cause a noticeable change in function. However, if they impair the patient's work, require the patient to be hospitalized or are accompanied by psychotic symptoms, it is considered mania instead.
Duration
The second criterion for a hypomania diagnosis is the duration of the symptoms. The patient must have all of the required number of symptoms for at least four days, although Mind notes that the symptoms can last for several months.
Exclusions
Besides the number and duration of symptoms, certain criteria must not be present for hypomania to be diagnosed. The Mayo Clinic notes that the patient must not have concurrent depressive symptoms, such as a low mood, thoughts of suicide and feeling worthless. If a patient has hypomanic and depressive symptoms at the same time, it is considered a mixed episode. If the patient has an overactive thyroid, he cannot have hypomania, as hyperthyroidism affects mood. The symptoms of hypomania must not be caused by alcohol or drug use. The HCL-32 questionnaire, a checklist for hypomania, lists sedatives, stimulants and anti-anxiety drugs as medications that can change the patient's mood.
