What is mood elevation?
A. The periods of abnormal mood elevation associated with bipolar disorder are called mania and hypomania. Mania may begin as a pleasurable sense of heightened energy, creativity and social ease. However, these feelings may quickly progress to euphoria or extreme irritability. Persons experiencing a manic episode may find that because thinking is overly positive and judgment is impaired, actions are not evaluated thoroughly and negative financial, career and relationship consequences may result. Hypomania is a milder form of mania that has similar but less severe symptoms than mania and causes less impairment. During a hypomanic episode, a person may have an elevated mood, feel better than usual and be highly productive. However, hypomania can rarely be maintained and is often followed by an escalation into mania or a crash into depression. Q. What are the different patterns of bipolar disorder?
