Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder whose main characteristics are extreme mood swings. These mood swings range from extreme depression and lack of motivation to a very energetic mood.
And this is where the definitions of “mania” and “hypomania” come in.
What is Mania?
Mania can be defined as an episode of extremely high energy and euphoric behaviour. This is associated with patients suffering from bipolar disorder.
Some of the behaviours that are characteristic of mania episodes are:
- Energetic
- Euphoric mood
- A very accelerated thinking process
- Willing to take more risks
- Willing to speak more
- Smell and touch may be felt with more intensity
- The patient may need less sleep to feel energetic
- Higher libido
What is Hypomania?
Hypomania is often said to be a mild form of mania. It can be considered one of the three stages of mania.
Sometimes it can be seen as a good thing. An episode of hypomania can present itself as:
- Mood elevation (mild)
- Higher energy
- Higher libido
- Sociability
- Investment in pleasant activities
- Higher will to speak
Hypomania is often confused with regular mood swings.
Similarities of Hypomania and Mania
As mentioned before, hypomania is considered a mild form of mania. The symptoms are similar, but on mania they are enhanced and can be more negative.
While hypomania can be relatively harmless and even good from a certain point of view, mania can really disrupt the patient’s life.
The problem is that hypomania can evolve to mania in patients who suffer from bipolar disorder, and that’s where the problem begins.
The table below shows the different stages of mania and its characteristics. The stage 1 is where the hypomania would fit.
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | |
| Mood | Mostly euphory and happiness | Dysphoria, depression and anger | Clearly dysphoric, desperate and panicking |
| Thoughts | High confidence, religious and sexual thoughts, accelerated thinking process and grandiose ideas, fast and sharp thoughts | Incoherent, unclear ideas and delusions | Delusions, hallucinations, disorientation and incoherent ideas |
| Behaviour | Mild energy enhancement, higher will to speak, excessive phone calls | Hyperactive, the speech starts to get rude and grotesque, maybe even physical aggression | Frenetic and bizarre behaviour, unorganized speech and uncontrolled behaviour, psychosis |
Although hypomania is often considered a stage of mania, or a mild variation of it, there are a few differences between both.
Difference between hypomania and mania
- The duration of the episode in Hypomania and Mania
Hypomania is usually brief and lasts less than a week. On the other hand, the duration of mania is at least one week.
- The intensity of Hypomania and Mania
The symptoms on hypomania are quite mild, and can often be seen as positive. There is a mood elevation, higher energy and sociability. On mania these symptoms are too enhanced and intense, which is very harmful.
Depending on the stage of mania that the patient is, he can become a threat to himself and society, and hospitalization is inevitable.
- The presence of hallucinations in Hypomania and Mania
An intense episode of mania may be accompanied by delusions, hallucinations and/or psychotic behaviour, while hypomania is never accompanied by this type of behaviour.
- The phases of Hypomania and Mania
While mania can be divided into 3 stages, hypomania is not divided. In fact, it can be considered one of the stages of mania.
In the table below, it’s possible to analyse the differences between both conditions:
| Hypomania | Mania | |
| Duration | Less than one week | At least one week |
| Number of phases | One | Three |
| Increase in productivity? | Yes | Only at the first phase |
| Prevalent mood | Happiness and euphoria | Dysphoria, depression and anger |
| Presence of hallucinations and psychosis? | No | Yes |
| Needs hospitalization? | No | Yes |
| Can the patient be considered dangerous? | No | Yes |
Summary
So, based on all this information it’s possible to say that the main difference between hypomania and mania is the intensity of the symptoms. Although both are related to the mood swings of bipolar disorder, there are differences between both conditions.
The main characteristics of hypomania are: an increase in energy, a quick thought process, increased sociability and euphoria. This can result in a higher productivity.
While hypomania may seem very beneficial at first, because of all the energy and good mood that the patient presents, it can evolve to mania where a real problem starts.
There are different stages of mania, where the patients can range from depressive to aggressive behaviour. In later stages, the patient can present psychosis and hallucinations, and at this point the person need to be moved to a hospital.