Mood disorders: mania and hypomania differentiation: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Mood disorders: mania and hypomania differentiation

Sample item

Which feature distinguishes mania from hypomania?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Marked impairment, psychotic features or need for hospitalisation

Both involve elevated mood, increased energy and activity, and decreased need for sleep. Mania causes marked impairment or psychosis, or needs hospitalisation. Hypomania is milder, with no marked impairment or psychosis, and is shorter (in DSM-5, four days versus one week).

Option by option

  • A. Increased energy

    Increased energy occurs in both.

  • B. Elevated mood

    Elevated mood occurs in both.

  • C. Decreased need for sleep

    Reduced need for sleep occurs in both.

  • D. Marked impairment, psychotic features or need for hospitalisation (correct)

    Correct. Marked impairment, psychosis or hospitalisation indicate mania.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Marked impairment, psychotic features or need for hospitalisation. Both involve elevated mood, increased energy and activity, and decreased need for sleep.

Why is "Increased energy" not the answer?

Increased energy occurs in both.

Why is "Elevated mood" not the answer?

Elevated mood occurs in both.

Why is "Decreased need for sleep" not the answer?

Reduced need for sleep occurs in both.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: mania and hypomania differentiation in Psychiatry. Mania causes marked impairment or psychosis, or needs hospitalisation. Hypomania is milder, with no marked impairment or psychosis, and is shorter (in DSM-5, four days versus one week).

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Mood disorders: mania and hypomania differentiation?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.