LightbulbName these two related diagnoses. Text from the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders.  Answer there or in comments.

[ANSWER A] is characterized by major depressive episodes alternating with episodes of hypomania, a milder form of mania. Patients with [ANSWER A] tend to have extremely low energy, retarded mental and physical processes, and more profound fatigue (for example, hypersomnia-a sleep disorder marked by a need for excessive sleep or sleepiness when awake) than people with unipolar depression.

[ANSWER B] is characterized by manic episodes, the "high" of the manic-depressive cycle. Apatient experiencing mania often has feelings of self-importance, elation, talkativeness, increased sociability, and a desire to embark on goal-oriented activities, coupled with the characteristics of irritability, impatience, impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and a decreased need for sleep. Usually this manic period is followed by a period of depression, although a few [ANSWER B] individuals may not experience a major depressive episode. Mixed states, where both manic or hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms occur at the same time, also occur frequently with [ANSWER B] patients (for example, depression with the racing thoughts of mania). Also, dysphoric mania is common (mania characterized by anger and irritability).




January 10, 2010
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