Janice is in the middle of a distinct period of an abnormally and persistently elevated mood. In the last week she has cleaned her house from top to bottom (breaking windows and dishes in the process), bought a new car that she can’t afford, and dug up most of her yard in case she might want a garden next year. Janice is experiencing a(n) __ episode.
body dysmorphic
psychotic
manic
dissociative
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: manic
Explanation:
Janice is exhibiting behaviors that are classic signs of a manic episode, which is a key feature of bipolar I disorder. A manic episode is characterized by a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood that lasts at least one week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary). This mood change must be accompanied by increased goal-directed activity or energy and at least three (or four if the mood is only irritable) of the following symptoms:
- 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
- Increase in goal-directed activity (socially, at work, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
- Excessive involvement in activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments)
In Janice’s case, her symptoms include:
- Excessive cleaning with destructive consequences (breaking windows and dishes)
- Impulsive and unaffordable car purchase
- Digging up her yard in preparation for a garden she doesn’t even currently need
- The overall tone is one of high energy, impulsiveness, and poor judgment
These behaviors demonstrate elevated mood, increased goal-directed activity, impulsivity, and risk-taking, all of which are indicative of a manic episode.
Let’s briefly consider the other options:
- Body dysmorphic: This refers to an obsessive focus on a perceived flaw in appearance—not applicable here.
- Psychotic: While manic episodes can include psychotic features, Janice’s symptoms are better categorized as manic unless delusions or hallucinations are present.
- Dissociative: These disorders involve disruptions in consciousness, memory, identity, or perception—not evident in this scenario.
Conclusion: Janice’s pattern of behavior aligns most closely with a manic episode, particularly due to her elevated mood, impulsivity, and destructive productivity. Would you like a comparison between manic and hypomanic episodes as well?