Posted by delna on November 5, 2009, at 5:12:36
In reply to Re: What's the difference - happiness + hypomania?, posted by Rosy Crucifiction on November 5, 2009, at 0:10:43
Hi
I think they are two VERY different states. As mentioned by Phidippus above hapiness has a sense of serenity to it (like a contended state).
If you are feeling 'euphoric' and it is about nothing at all then I would suspect hypomania. But there have to be other symptoms which go with it- though elated mood is the main one.If something wonderful has just happened to you and you are all cheerful and excited- that is unlikely to be hypomania. And, no coming out of depression usually does not count as a reason.
Plus as mentioned above, I second that hypomania comes with impulsiveness, racing thoughts and also a desire to do many things at once. Also you need to sleep less and overall you can feel a bit out of control.But there is an "official criteria", for hypomania and I'm sure you have read it. But I know many doctors do not stick to it exactly because it is so darn rigid.
But here it is if you haven't seen it recently:
A) A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual nondepressed mood.
B) During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
1) inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
2) decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
3) more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
4) flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
5) distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
6) increase in goal-directed activity (at work, at school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
7) excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)and so on....
Also when you are hypomanic people around you notice- this is also a criteria. They may actually find you really annoying because you can be a bit 'in your face. (well that always happens to me ;) )
So certainly they are 2 very different states. I, for one, like happiness. But I hate hypomania!
Take care
Love
D
poster:delna
thread:924522
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091029/msgs/924543.html