Posted by Mitch on June 24, 2001, at 18:42:57
In reply to Re: What counts as hypomania - Mitch, posted by Chris A. on June 24, 2001, at 18:01:55
Chris, Went there and checked it out, very interesting. I actually had it wrong (in my mind). The DSM-IV excludes diagnosis of hypomania (BPII) if it is a result of antidepressants. The article below in the link believes that even if AD's cause hypomania-then that persons *should* be diagnosed with BPII.
In my case I have had hypomania in the past without antidepressants so there is not question of my BPII diagnosis. However it apears that *technically* speaking if AD's are the only trigger that is present then BPII should not be considered the diagnosis.Here is the American definition of hypomanic episode:
Hypomanic Episode
A distinct period of persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting throughout at least 4 days, that is clearly different from the usual nondepressed mood.During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted (four if the mood is only irritable) and have been present to a significant degree:
inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
distractibility (i.e., attention too easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant external stimuli)
increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., the person engages in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)The episode is associated with an unequivocal change in functioning that is uncharacteristic of the person when not symptomatic.
The disturbance in mood and the change in functioning are observable by others.
The episode is not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning, or to necessitate hospitalization, and there are no psychotic features.
The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug of abuse, a medication, or other treatment) or a general medical condition (e.g., hyperthyroidism).
Note: Hypomanic-like episodes that are clearly caused by somatic antidepressant treatment (e.g., medication, electroconvulsive therapy, light therapy) should not count toward a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder.
Mitch> Mitch,
>
> July L. just shared this link on another thread that addresses your concerns. Registration is required, but worth it.
>
> http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/CNO/2001/APACME/Story.cfm?story_id=2248 >
>
> Chris A.
poster:Mitch
thread:67368
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010618/msgs/67724.html