Mania and Hypomania are conditions where individuals experience episodes of high energy and elevated mood. Emotions like happiness, anger, and irritability are noticeably heightened and can be overwhelming. This change is dramatic, noticeable, and affects everyday ability to function. The key difference between the two conditions is the duration of each episode. Hypomania symptoms persist only a few days, whereas Mania can last for weeks at a time. In some cases, Hypomania symptoms are less severe but still noticeable.
Dealing with these conditions can be exhausting, and coming down from an episode is a difficult experience. When mania exists in conjunction with another mental illness (such as Bipolar Disorder), it can be incredibly difficult to manage. This makes the treatment of mania and hypomania crucial in easing the overwhelming burden of this mental illness.