manic episode

a period characterized by elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, often with several of the following symptoms: an increase in activity or psychomotor agitation; talkativeness or pressured speech; flight of ideas or racing thoughts; inflated self-esteem or grandiosity; a decreased need for sleep; extreme distractibility; and intense pursuit of activities that are likely to have unfortunate consequences (e.g., buying sprees, sexual indiscretions). In DSM–IV–TR and DSM–5, a distinguishing criterion between a manic and a hypomanic episode is their duration, with manic episodes lasting at least a week and hypomanic episodes lasting at least 4 consecutive days. One or more manic episodes are characteristic of bipolar disorder. See also mixed episode.

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Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

marital conflict

open or latent antagonism between marriage partners. The nature and intensity of conflicts varies greatly, but studies indicate that the prime sources are often sexual disagreement, child-rearing differences, temperamental differences (particularly the tendency of one partner to dominate), and, to a lesser extent, religious differences, differences in values and interests, and disagreements over money management.