Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood due to media portrayals of the disorder within movies, TV shows, newscasts, and more. For this reason, an increasing amount of stigma has resulted from a lack of knowledge surrounding bipolar disorder. One facet of this mental health disorder that is commonly misunderstood is mania. Often portrayed as a sudden burst of energy, mania is much more complicated than it appears and differs from another state known as hypomania.
By educating people on mania and hypomania, our hope at Alta Loma Transformational Services is to reduce the stigma surrounding bipolar disorder and help those struggling get the proper help they need to heal.
Defining Mania
Mania is often portrayed in movies and television shows as a sudden burst of energy. However, mania is actually a mood disturbance that can have you feeling elated, energized, irritable, or extremely “up.” In some cases, mania can even cause paranoia, hallucinations, and delusional thoughts. Mania is associated with bipolar I disorder, where manic episodes can last for seven days or more. Mania can be dangerous, with some cases causing people to require hospitalization during a manic episode. It is more intense than hypomania, leaving individuals feeling restless, having racing thoughts, and becoming easily distracted. In some cases, the person’s inhibitions may also be lowered.
Defining Hypomania
On the flip side, hypomania can be defined as a more mild form of mania. It is associated with bipolar II disorder, where episodes of hypomania can occur. These episodes can last anywhere from two days to a few weeks, depending on the person. Even though hypomania is not as severe as mania, symptoms are still noticeable to other people. However, you won’t have the more intense symptoms associated with mania, such as paranoia, hallucinations, or delusional thoughts. This is an important difference to note, as it can affect your diagnosis and treatment.
Being able to put a name to the symptoms you are experiencing can be a challenging process that may take time before discovering. Through educational blogs such as these, Alta Loma Transformational Services believes we can reach those currently struggling and help them narrow down their symptoms so they can receive the help they deserve. If you are experiencing mania or hypomania and are seeking help, reach out to our facility today. We work with men of all ages to help them find healing from mental health and addiction issues. To learn more, contact us today at (866) 457-3843.
