Definition

Hypomania is a condition in which you experience periods of abnormally elevated mood and extreme changes in mood, emotions, energy levels, or activity levels. This energetic level of energy, mood, and behavior is different and changing from your usual self and is visible to others. Hypomania is also known as the hypomanic phase. These episodes of mood and behavior changes are typical of certain mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, but can also be a symptom of other mental health conditions. Hypomanic episodes usually present with uncharacteristic cheerfulness, excitement, and irritability; accompanied by restlessness, extreme talkativeness, increased distractions, reduced need for sleep, and intense focus on one activity.

The very clear difference between hypomania and mania is the patient's ability to carry out activities according to their function. If in mania, the patient is unable to function at work or his role in daily life. However, hypomanic patients can remain productive and carry out activities according to their roles like ordinary people, even though they are experiencing hypomania.

Causes

The exact cause of hypomania is not yet known. However, hypomania is usually a symptom of several different mental health conditions. For example, hypomanic phases are common in people with bipolar disorder. Some of the following conditions also sometimes have symptoms such as hypomania:

• Cyclothymic disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Severe anxiety
• Severe obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Histrionic personality disorder
• Borderline personality disorder

The trigger for a hypomanic episode may be different for each individual. Some common triggers include:

• Situations or environments that can trigger hypomania; such as there is a lot of noise, the lights are too bright, large crowds.
• Major changes in life; such as divorce, marriage, job loss.
• Lack of sleep or changes in sleep patterns
• Use of certain substances, such as drugs or alcohol.
• Depression
• High-stress levels
• Drug side effects

Risk Factor

Although the exact cause of hypomania is not yet known, several factors are thought to contribute, including:

• Family history. If you have a family member with a history of bipolar disorder, you have a greater chance of developing hypomania. However, this is not always guaranteed to happen, because hypomania is not a disease that is inherited.
• Imbalance of chemical compounds in the brain.
• Side effects of drugs (such as some antidepressants, and narcotics) or alcohol.
• Significant changes in your life, such as divorce, moving, or the death of a loved one.
• Difficult life situations, such as trauma or abuse, or problems with housing, finances or feeling lonely.
• High levels of stress and inability to manage it.
• Lack of sleep or changes in sleep patterns.
• Have another mental health disorder, including cyclothymia, seasonal affective disorder, postpartum psychosis, schizoaffective disorder or other physical or neurological conditions such as brain injury, brain tumor, stroke, dementia, lupus or encephalitis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hypomania can vary and usually last for at least 2-4 days, and can include:

• Having a very high level of activity or energy.
• Feeling very happy, excited.
• Not sleeping or only sleeping a few hours but still feeling well rested.
• Have high self-confidence, and think that you are invincible.
• Being more talkative than usual. Talks so much and so fast that others cannot interrupt.
• Having “racing” thoughts, that is, having many thoughts about many topics at the same time (called “Flight of ideas”).
• Easily distracted by unimportant or unrelated things.
• Be obsessed and completely absorbed in the activity you are focused on.
• Displays aimless movements, such as pacing around your home or office or fidgeting when you are sitting.
• Exhibits impulsive behavior that can lead to bad choices, such as promiscuity, excessive sexual behavior or promiscuity, or making inappropriate business investments.

Some examples of activities or things that you might feel and/or do when you are experiencing symptoms of hypomania include:

• Do an intense cleaning and clean all surfaces in every room in your home.
• Stay awake until 3am or not sleep at all and not feel tired the next morning.
• Starting a project, or more than one project, and working on these projects non-stop for 20 hours straight.
• Feeling that you can't fail at anything you want to do, even if you have no training or experience.
• Call and text all your friends throughout the day and night and post lots of pictures and comments on social media.
• Quickly jumps from one topic to another when speaking, and speaks very quickly.
• Dressing and/or behaving “flamboyantly”

Diagnosis

In diagnosing hypomania, the doctor will interview you to ask about the symptoms you are experiencing, your medical history, family health history, medications, and any herbal products or supplements you are consuming. Doctors may also perform blood tests and body scans to rule out other conditions that may mimic symptoms of hypomania, such as hyperthyroidism. There are several criteria that doctors use to diagnose hypomania, including:

• You experience an abnormal and long-lasting increase in emotional expression along with high levels of energy and activity that last for at least four consecutive days and are present most of the day.
• You have three or more symptoms (as described in the Symptoms section) that are a marked change from your usual behavior (four symptoms if the mood is just irritable)
• A hypomanic episode is not severe enough to significantly interfere with your social, work, or school functioning and does not require hospitalization. In hypomania there are also no psychotic symptoms, where you do not have false beliefs (delusions) or false perceptions (hallucinations).
• The hypomanic episode is not caused by the effects of a substance (medication or drug abuse) or another medical condition.

Management

Management of hypomania usually consists of psychotherapy and the use of drugs, such as antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and in some cases antidepressants can also be given. In psychotherapy, you will talk with a mental health professional who will help you identify the symptoms and triggers of hypomania and learn ways to overcome or reduce the effects of a hypomanic episode.

If your hypomania is mild, you may be able to manage it without medication. Your doctor may suggest focusing more on self-care by taking several actions that may include:

• Go to bed at the same time every night and get enough sleep (six to nine hours).
• Avoid stimulating triggers such as coffee, tea, soda, sugar, noisy and busy environments.
• Eat healthy food.
• Exercise 30 minutes a few days a week. Even short walks twice a day can be beneficial.
• Do not consume illegal drugs or alcohol.
• Learn ways to relax, such as yoga, meditation, listening to calming music, inhaling aromatherapy.
• Take medication as prescribed by your doctor. If you experience side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Never stop taking or change the dosage of a medication without talking to your doctor first.
• Join a support community. You may find it helpful to talk to other people who have similar medical experiences and can share problems, ways to cope and strategies for living and caring for yourself.

Complications

After experiencing a hypomanic episode, you may:

• Feeling happy or embarrassed about your behavior.
• Feeling overwhelmed by all the activities you've agreed to do.
• Having little or unclear memory of what happened during the hypomanic episode.
• Feeling very tired and needing sleep.
• Feeling depressed (if your hypomania is part of bipolar disorder).

If left for a long period, hypomania can develop into mania, which is a mood disorder that makes you abnormally energetic, both physically and mentally with greater energy than hypomania, and the symptoms can be severe enough to require you to be treated in a hospital. hospital. Apart from that, long-term hypomania can also cause other problems, for example, promiscuous and excessive sexual behavior can cause damaged relationships and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Reckless spending can result in severe financial problems and inappropriate behavior can cause you to lose your job or be ostracized by your loved ones.

Prevention

Hypomanic episodes cannot always be prevented. However, you can learn ways to better manage your symptoms and prevent them from getting worse by doing things like:

• Learn everything you can about your condition, including recognizing triggers so you can avoid them.
• Keep a diary to record your moods, to be able to spot early warning signs. With your doctor's help, you may also be able to prevent episodes from getting worse. For example, if you learn to recognize the early warning signs of hypomania, you can consult a doctor to get it under control.
• Stay on the treatment recommended by your doctor
• Reach out to others for help. You can join a support group for people with hypomanic disorder.

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience symptoms of hypomania or any of your family or acquaintances show changes in behavior from usual, consult a psychologist or psychiatric specialist (psychiatry). Consult a doctor immediately if you or your family have suicidal thoughts or attempts.

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