Mood Disorders - Hypomania and Mania

This presentation will look at the diagnoses of hypomania and mania as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Version 5 (DSM5). In a previous presentation (Mood Disorders - Depression) we worked with a conception of mood disorders as being on a continuum. This is not the only way to conceptualize mood disorders but we will stay with that for now as we look at the 'polar opposite' of depressed mood and swing to the far right for Hypomania and Mania.
CPD HOURS: 0.5
Current as at: 04 May 2024-2025 

Course Content

This presentation will look at the diagnoses of hypomania and mania as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Version 5 (DSM5). In a previous presentation ( Mood Disorders - Depression) we worked with a conception of mood disorders as being on a continuum.

This is not the only way to conceptualize mood disorders but we will stay with that for now as we look at the 'polar opposite' of depressed mood and swing to the far right for Hypomania and Mania.

We will consult the DSM5 to ensure our understanding of this disorder is consistent with sound clinical information and not informed by lay uses of the term.

We will come to understand mania in the context of mood swings and understand that while mania can be drug or illness induced that those are exclusions to a psychiatric diagnosis.

Treatment for someone with mania is fraught for everyone involved as it is likely to be delivered in the context of a lengthy admission to a psychiatric facility and most likely not voluntarily. Nursing care of someone with mania is some of the most exquisitely nuanced care that we provide.

Learning Outcomes

In this session you will:

  • Become aware of the difference between community understanding of the term mania and the potentially dangerous psychiatric condition that is mania
  • Gain an overview of the treatment available to persons in mania
  • Understand why this condition has the potential to stress and perhaps distress many people - friends, family and clinicians
  • Gain an Understanding of the effort required by persons with a bipolar disorder to manage their future.

Colleen Reid

In 1974 Colleen thought she would become a nurse for a little while. Forty five years later she retired from nursing remains engaged and interested in the nursing profession and continues her work in nursing education.