Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder - Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

B. The person currently has, or in the past has had at least one hypomanic episode:

1. For a hypomanic episode a person's mood must be out of the ordinary and continuously heightened, exaggerated, or irritable for at least four days.
2. At least three of the following seven symptoms have been significant and enduring. If the mood is only irritable, then four symptoms are required.
   1. Self-esteem is excessive or grandiose.
   2. The need for sleep is greatly reduced.
   3. Talks much more than usual.
   4. Thoughts and ideas are continuous and without a pattern or focus.
   5. Easily distracted by unimportant things.
   6. An increase in purposeful activity or productivity, or behaving and feeling agitated.
   7. Reckless participation in enjoyable activities that create a high risk for negative consequences (e.g., extensive spending sprees, sexual promiscuity).
3. The episode is a substantial change for the person and uncharacteristic of his or her usual functioning.
4. The changes of functioning and mood can be observed by others.
5. The person's symptoms are NOT severe enough to cause difficulty in functioning at home, work, or other important areas. Also, the symptoms neither require the person to be hospitalized, nor are there any psychotic features.
6. The person's symptoms are not caused by substance use (e.g., alcohol, drugs, medication), or a medical disorder. C. The person has never experienced a manic or mixed episode. D. Another disorder does not better explain the episode. E. The symptoms are a cause of great distress or difficulty in functioning at home, work, or other important areas.

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