How To Stop A Hypomanic Episode.

A hypomanic episode is not a disorder in itself, but rather a description of a part of a bipolar II disorder. Hypomanic episodes have the same symptoms as manic episodes with two important differences: (1) the overall atmosphere is not severe enough to cause problems with the person working or socializing with others (for example, should not take leave during the episode), or to require hospitalization; and (2) there was never psychotic features in a hypomanic episode.

A hypomanic episode is characterized by a distinct period of persistently expansive, or irritable, durable lifting for at least 4 days and have most of the day nearly every day. This hypomanic mood is distinctly different from the usual mood of the person.

During the period of mood disturbance, 3 or more of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:

The inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep (eg, feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
Distraction (ie, attention too easily to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
Goal-oriented (social, work or school, or sexually) Increased activity or psychomotor agitation
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with a high potential for painful consequences (eg, the person engages in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
A hypomanic episode is associated with a change in the operation which is not characteristic of the person. For example, the person may be much more productive and outgoing and sociable than they are normally. This change in performance and mood is not subtle - the change is directly observable by others (usually friends or family) during an episode of hypomania.

A hypomanic episode is not severe enough to cause serious impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic symptoms. Observable symptoms of a hypomanic episode must not be due to drug use or abuse (eg, alcohol, drugs, medications) or caused by a general medical condition (eg, hyperthyroidism, or diabetes).

People living an episode of hypomania are often diagnosed with a form of bipolar disorder called bipolar II.

Hypomanic episode caused by the effects of a drug or psychiatric treatment (as the beginning of a course of antidepressants) usually is not diagnosed unless it persists beyond the physiological effects of treatment.