Mania & Hypomania - Difference, Symptoms, Risks & Causes

Regarding mental health and well-being, the concerns regarding bipolar disorder have been increasing recently. While multiple symptoms can be associated with this disorder, mania and hypomania are commonly seen in such patients. These are mental conditions when individuals experience an energised mood.

Are you confused about the traits of mania VS hypomania? Find out all about it in this article.

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What Is Mania?

Mania is a mood disturbance which can make you atypically energised, both physically and energetically. While it can occur to anyone in general, patients with bipolar disorder are more likely to experience such issues. This is because such people face regular maniac episodes, where they act unusually energised and feel more restless.

The level of energy can signify either positive or negative vibes. People suffering from this condition can feel both happy and sad, unable to control their feelings and expression before others. They might need hospitalisation. These symptoms of maniac episodes can last for about a week and leave severe consequences and after-effects for the citizens.

What Is Hypomania?

Hypomania is a milder form of mania. Patients suffering from hypomania will experience a similar boost of energy and mood shift. However, it will not be as severe as seen in maniac episodes. Moreover, it also stays for a smaller period, about a few days.

There are chances that people can notice the shift in your mood and energy when you have a hypomanic episode. However, you might not have to seek hospitalisation for the same. This is because people suffering from bipolar II disorder are more prone to facing hypomania, which can be an alternative to depression phases in their minds.

What Are the Differences Between Mania and Hypomania?

While both mania and hypomania might sound similar, there are some essential distinctions between the two. The following table will help you understand the difference between mania and hypomania.

Parameters	Mania	Hypomania
Meaning and features	Mania causes a highly energised mood and shift in the mental state. The symptoms can isolate you from your work and daily routine.	It is a milder version of mania. The severity is lower and might not prevent you from continuing your usual routine.
Symptoms	You might experience delusions and hallucinations as severe symptoms. Moreover, you are likely to feel detached from reality.	You might experience distraction and restlessness. However, there will be no hallucinations or detachment from reality.
Causes	The root causes are unclear for mania. But, in some cases, it is generated by extreme stress, unhealthy sleep patterns and alcohol abuse.	Apart from bipolar disease, conditions like cyclothymia, postpartum psychosis, schizoaffective disorder, etc., can also cause this condition.
Risks	Common risk factors include poor judgement, disinhibition, risk-taking and sometimes aggression. It can also cause depression.	The risk factors are similar to mania, disrupting mental health and well-being.
Severity	It is a severe condition and lasts for about a week. You might need hospitalisation to control its symptoms.	It is a milder condition compared to mania. Usually, it lasts for a few days. You do not need to visit hospitals to control the symptoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Mania and Hypomania?

As discussed earlier, the main distinction between mania and hypomania is their severity and intensity. It also depends on the stability and longevity of the condition. Some of the common symptoms for both these conditions are listed below:

Unusual energy levels
Restlessness and irritability
Positive or rude behaviour
Unhealthy sleep routine
More talkative nature
Reduced inhibitions
Growth in self-esteem or confidence
Increase in sexual desire

While these do not reflect the intensity of hypomania, maniac episodes can cause harsher and more complicated symptoms. These are often related to severe mental health issues like depression. Some of these symptoms are listed below:

Visual or auditory hallucinations
Paranoia
Delusion and hallucinations
Loss of interest
Detachment from reality
Significant weight gain or loss
Suicidal tendencies and thoughts

Therefore, it is evident that the symptoms of mania are much more severe and intense than hypomania. It causes individuals to fall seriously ill, mainly regarding mental health and well-being. The severity causes the patients to seek hospitalising and proper medical treatment.

What Are the Causes of Mania and Hypomania?

The causes of mania and hypomania are as follows:

High-stress levels
Family history and genetics
Lack of proper sleep
Neurobiology
Addiction to drugs and alcohol
Significant events or trauma in life
Childbirth
Difficult life conditions
Side effects of medication
Stimulating environment, like loud noise, bright light and large crowds
Major incidents like divorce, job loss, miscarriage, abuse, etc.
Addictive substance abuse

What Are the Risk Factors of Mania and Hypomania?

Here are some health issues which can trigger mania and hypomania, becoming their risk factors:

Bipolar II Disorder: This condition is a common cause of mania and hypomania. As discussed, mania and hypomania can bring unusual energy and shift moods. It is a frequent issue with bipolar disorder, whereby individuals experience frequent changes in mood and overall personality.

Cyclothymic Disorder: This is also a popular cause of mania and hypomania. This disease is a mild version of bipolar disorder. Here, the shifts and changes in mood and personality are not as quick or frequent as in bipolar disorder. However, it can also cause the patients to experience unusual energy.

Seasonal Depression: This condition causes a depressive mental state with the change of seasons, especially during the fall season. During this period, the patients of this depression disorder can experience both mania and hypomania.

Postpartum Depression: This type of depression arises after having a baby. It causes frequent emotional highs and lows, which can cause mania and hypomania. In addition, women can face mild symptoms of unusual positive and negative energy.

Bipolar I Disorder: This is a more intense version of bipolar II diseases. It is likely to cause severe changes in mood and personality. There are severe depression episodes, and a low phase causes a feeling of detachment from reality. In this situation, patients can experience delusions and hallucinations.

Schizoaffective Disorder: This is a severe mental health condition with similar symptoms to schizophrenia and a mood disorder. The changes in personality and mood shifts are more frequent and intense. Patients are likely to face the symptoms of mania in this case.

Cushing's Disease: Cushing is a noncancerous (benign) tumour of the pituitary gland. Overuse of steroid drugs can cause an overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands. This disease can cause mood shifts and changes in personality. Depressing thoughts and ideas are also common.

How to Diagnose Mania and Hypomania?

Diagnosing both mania and hypomania can be done through a similar process. A lab test can check if other physical diseases might be triggering these conditions. If that option is ruled out, the doctor will ask detailed questions about your comprehensive medical history and the possibilities of such medical conditions in your family line.

If your doctor identifies bipolar disorder, they will likely refer you to a professional psychiatrist. They will ask detailed questions and observe your behaviour regarding depression or unusual energy. They might also ask you to note down your episodes or ask a close family member to do so. These notes will help them make a decision.

Doctors usually distinguish between mania and hypomania by recording the duration of the episodes. For example, if it lasts for a week, it is mania. On the other hand, if it lasts for about a couple of days, it is considered hypomania.

What Is the Treatment for Mania and Hypomania?

There are no specific treatment measures for mania and hypomania. People generally seek treatment for bipolar disorder or similar mental health issues. The following treatment measures are commonly used in hospitals:

1. Psychotherapy

One of the best treatment methods is psychotherapy for mania and hypomania, similar to cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). These therapies can be either family-focused or group-focused. During such sessions, doctors will analyse the reasons or triggers behind your mania and try to talk you out.

2. Medication

The following medicine types can be used for treating both mania and hypomania:

Mood stabiliser medicines like lithium and antiseizure
Second-generation or atypical antipsychotics
Antidepressant medicines
Sleep medications for a better sleep routine

When to See a Doctor?

Mood changes and emotional ups and downs are usually familiar with the rising level of stress. However, if you feel these changes and shifts are more frequent and stronger than usual, you must consult a doctor. While bipolar disorder might be challenging to diagnose, such symptoms can contribute to its diagnosis. If you cannot contact a doctor during an episode, you can ask a friend or family member to do so on your behalf.

Tips to Manage and Prevent Mania and Hypomania

The best way to cope with mania and hypomania, and control its symptoms, is by making significant changes in your lifestyle. Here are some tips to help you manage your symptoms:

Maintain a Healthy Diet: The first part is to ensure a healthy and balanced diet. While suffering from manic episodes, or facing sharp mood shifts, avoid eating unhealthy food. Include fruits and vegetables with enough protein in your daily diet.
Consider Physical Activities: Physical activities and workouts often help divert your mind from stress, relaxing it to some extent. Therefore, you should ensure regular physical activities, like jogging and walking.
Maintain a Healthy Sleep Routine: A healthy sleep routine improves mental health. For example, when you are suffering from mania or hypomania, you will likely experience insomnia. You can seek sleep medication during this time.
Conduct Research: As bipolar disorder can be highly unpredictable with the episodes, you can try to cope with it by conducting regular research. Your research will allow you to predict the probability of the attacks and take measures to cope with their intensity.
Maintain Mood Diary and Journals: You can keep track of your changing moods and mental state by recording them. For this, you need to maintain a diary and describe your mood at a specific time of the day. This can be a reference during your treatment and help you identify the patterns.
Reach Out for Help: You should always contact your close friends and family during this period. They can help you with medication and even contact the doctor when you have major manic episodes.

Hopefully, now you know all about mania vs hypomania. As this article pointed out, the main difference between the two is the intensity of the symptoms and attacks. It would help if you always looked for such signs, especially when dealing with bipolar disorder. Then, the doctor should be able to control your episodes with proper treatment.

FAQs About Mania and Hypomania

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What triggers a hypomanic episode?

Such an episode's common triggers include unhealthy sleep patterns, high-stress levels and excessive alcohol or drug consumption. Such episodes last for about a couple of days.

Is bipolar disorder hereditary?

While there are no specific causes of bipolar disorder, there have been cases where children have inherited it from their fathers. If mothers have this disorder, children are less likely to inherit it.