How Long Does Hypomania Last?

Hypomania is a condition that is less severe than full-blown mania. A high mood marks a lot of energy and hyperactivity. It is often linked to bipolar disorder.
Recognizing the duration and impact of Hypomania is crucial for managing and treating bipolar disorder effectively.
Let’s look into the details of all these. How long does Hypomania last?
You can go to ARK Medical for mental health treatment if you have a Bipolar Episode.

What Is Hypomania?

Hypomania is a state of high mood and activity that can make people feel happy, energetic, and productive in ways that are not normal.
Hypomania does not cause significant problems with functioning or psychotic symptoms as mania does, but it can still have an impact on a person’s daily life and relationships. Some symptoms are:

• Mood swings or irritability
• More self-esteem or arrogance
• Not as much need to sleep
• More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
• Flight of ideas or racing thoughts
• Distractibility
• Increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation
• Being involved in things that could lead to painful outcomes (for example, spending too much money without control or sexual mistakes)

How Long Does Hypomania Last?

How long hypomania lasts can vary a lot from person to person. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) says that a hypomanic episode must last for at least four days in a row in order to be considered one. On the other hand, it can last a lot longer—sometimes for weeks.

It is important to remember that the length and number of hypomanic episodes can be affected by a number of things, such as

• Type of Bipolar Disorder: People with Bipolar II disorder have patterns of depressive and hypomanic episodes. They do not have the severe manic episodes that people with Bipolar I disorder do.
• Medication Adherence: Taking mood stabilizers or other medications as prescribed can help lower the number and length of hypomanic episodes.
• Lifestyle and Stress: Having a lot of stress and going through big changes in your life can cause hypomanic episodes or make them last longer.

What Is an Expansive Mood?

Individuals in an expansive mood are feeling very happy, positive, and sure of themselves. When someone is in this mood, they think they are very important and better than they really are. When someone is in an expansive mood, they might act cocky, socialize more than usual, and act outgoing, extroverted, and assertive in ways that are hardly normal for them.

Important Things about an Expansive Mood

• Inflated Self-Esteem: The person thinks they are more important, talented, or capable than they are.
• Overconfidence: There is a high level of self-assurance, which can lead to unrealistic optimism.
• Talkativeness: The person may talk more quickly and too much because they feel they must keep talking.
• Sociability: Being more friendly and outgoing and often wanting to interact with others more than usual.
• Grandiosity: Exaggerated and unrealistic views of one’s significance and ability.
• Reduced Sleep: Despite getting less sleep than usual, the person may still feel rested and active.
• Impulsivity: Acting out of character because of a heightened sense of invulnerability, often involving risky or inappropriate activities.

Examples of Expansive Behavior

• Spending Sprees: Excessive buying without consideration for budgetary restraints.
• Uninhibited Socializing: Being overly friendly and intrusive in social situations.
• Risky Investments: Making snap judgments with exaggerated hopes of success in the financial world.
• Grand Plans: Creating audacious and frequently unfeasible plans or strategies.

An expansive mood can have a substantial impact on a person’s behavior and judgment and is frequently observed in conditions such as hypomania and mania.
It is important to tell the difference between a naturally happy mood and an expansive mood caused by a mood disorder, since the latter can make a person’s life very difficult and may need professional help.

Causes of Hypomania

Hypomania can be a sign of bipolar disorder, but it can also be caused by other things. These are some possible reasons:

• Alcohol or Drug Use

Hypomania and/or depression are present in 11% of people who have substance use disorders and 55% of people who have problems related to drugs.

• Changes in Sleep Patterns

Some people who have hypomanic episodes also have trouble sleeping, or their circadian rhythms get thrown off. More research is needed to find out if sleep problems cause hypomania or if hypomania makes sleep difficult.

• Depression

Depression can be a part of bipolar disorder, but it can also happen on its own and along with hypomania. Antidepressants can sometimes cause hypomania. This is called antidepressant-associated hypomania, and it happens to 0.3% to 22.4% of people who take antidepressants.

• Genetics

There is a genetic predisposition to hypomania, with a 59% chance for men to inherit this condition and a 29% chance for women to inherit it.

• High Levels of Stress

It was found that both stress and hypomania significantly increased throughout the program for 99 emergency medicine residents. This suggests that high levels of stress may cause hypomanic behaviors.

• Medication

Escitalopram (Lexapro), a drug used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder, can cause hypomania.

• Herbal Supplements

Taking a lot of different herbal supplements over a long period can cause mental health problems, such as hypomania. Some reports say that taking these supplements can lead to hypomanic episodes.

In Conclusion -How Long Does Hypomania Last?

Hypomania usually lasts at least four days, but it can last for weeks. Type of bipolar disorder, taking medications as prescribed, and stress in daily life are some of the things that affect how long it lasts.
To manage and treat these episodes effectively, you need to understand them. If you think you might be hypomanic, you should get professional help right away.
You can go to ARK Medical for Mood Disorder treatment.

FAQs

What does a hypomanic episode look like?

Hypomanic symptoms vary from person to person and include an abnormally high level of activity or energy.
Feeling very happy and excited. Not getting enough sleep or only getting a few hours but still feeling great.

What does an expansive mood look like?

A mood that is “expansive” is one of the signs of a manic or hypomanic episode of bipolar disorder.
People in an expansive mood might act rudely or lavishly, act or dress strikingly, or think they are better than others.

Am I hypomanic or just happy?

You may have a hypomanic episode or a bad or angry mood if you notice these things. You have more energy or you are more active, and your thoughts are racing.