by Amanda Hanes

Created on: July 15, 2009   Last Updated: July 16, 2009

Hypomania is a form of bipolar disorder and of depression. It is hard to diagnose hypomania because it can easily be mistaken as happiness. Hypomania is the word used to describe an unusually euphoric or irritable mood lasting at least four days. The symptoms of a hypomanic episode are similar to those of a manic episode, they include:

- Inflated self-esteem

- decreased need for sleep
- very talkative
- distracted
- racing thoughts
- sexual tendencies
- increase in goal-directed activities due to agitation
- more sensitive
- feel overwhelmed
- feel the need to complete multiple tasks simultaniously
- often make bad judgements

Unlike manic episodes, hypomanic episodes do not disrupt your everyday life, do not require hospitalization, and do not include psychotic tendencies such as: hallucinations, and delusions.

Hypomania effects approximately 1% of the worlds population and is found equally in men and women regardless of race or ethnic background. It is important to correctly diagnose hypomania as it can lead to more serious forms of depression such as: manic depression and bipolar disorder and can increase the risk of suicidal tendencies.

If you have recently been diagnosed with hypomania, there are some things you can do to releave your symptoms:

- try to get a good sleep, if you can't sleep, consult a doctor
- do not make any big decisions, wait until you feel better
- don't stop taking your medication unless your doctor tells you to, even if you are feeling better
- don't spend your money, give it to a trusted friend or family member for safe keeping
- avoid dances and bars as these environment will not help, but hinder your attempts to get better
- find someone to talk to whether it be a professional or a trusted friend
- cut back on sugars, caffeine and alcohol. It is important to eat a balanced diet.

The treatment for hypomania is the same for manic episodes. Mood stabilizers are given such as: Lithium, Tegretol, Depakote, Topomax, Lamiectil, and . In some cases, high doses of Omega 3 fish oil can be used instead. It is important to keep taking your medication until your doctor tells you to stop even if you are feeling better. Those who have been diagnosed with a form of depression twice in a five year period are more likely to relapse.

Lithium is comprised of a number of chemical salts. It is used primarily as a mood stabilizer, treating depression and manic episodes. It is possible that lithium reduces the risk of suicide. Lithium, once taken, distributes in the central nervous system and interacts with neurotransmitters and reactors decreasing norepinephrine release and increasing serotonin, relaxing you.

Tegretol is known as a anti-convulsant mood stabilizer. It is most commonly prescribed to epileptics to control seizures, but is sometimes given as a mood stabilizer as well.

Depakote is also a anticonvulsant mood stabilizer, but it is used to treat more advanced forms of depression such as bipolar disorder or manic episodes.

Topomax is used to treat epilepsy. It is not always used to treat depression, although some people have responded very well to this treatment.

Lamictal is used to treat bipolar disorders. It is a mood stabilizer that is most commonly used for epileptics

You will notice that many of the medications listed above are used to treat not only depression, but epilepsy. Some doctors are now saying that bipolar disorder is a form of epilepsy. They are saying that the mood swings may actually be a form of seizure. Obviously more testing would need to be completed before this can be known for sure, but the similarities of the two disorders are very similar.

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