What differentiates a hypomanic episode from a manic episode?

A hypomanic episode is specifically characterized by a duration of symptoms lasting at least 4 days, in contrast to a manic episode, which must persist for at least 7 days (or any duration if hospitalization is required). This difference in duration is crucial in differentiating between the two types of episodes.

In addition, manic episodes often include severe impairment in functioning, which is not typically a necessary criterion for hypomania. While hypomania may lead to some disruption in functioning, it usually does not reach the level of severity found in mania.

The presence of psychotic features also distinctly marks a manic episode. Hypomania does not include these features, which can lead to hallucinations or delusions, making their presence a key factor in diagnosing mania rather than hypomania.

Regarding symptoms, while both episodes can include symptoms consistent with mood disorders, the criteria concerning the number of symptoms (i.e., SIGECAPS) do not serve to differentiate between hypomania and mania in the same way.

Due to this framework, the defining characteristic of a hypomanic episode being the duration of symptoms aligns accurately with diagnostic criteria used in psychiatry.