Mood Disorders

Question 1

What is the difference between mania and hypomania?

Answer 1

Hypomania lasts several days, does not involve psychotic features such as grandiose delusions
Symptoms in mania are much more severe (grandiosity, loss of social inhibition) usually requiring hospitalisation and everyday life is significantly impaired. Psychotic symptoms may be present

Question 2

What investigations would you carry out on a new admission of a manic patient?

Answer 2

TFTs (both hyper and hypo thyroidism as DDx)
U&Es (for renal baseline function with view to starting lithium)
Glucose
Calcium
LFTs (baseline hepatic function with view to starting mood stabilisers)
Urine drug test (illicit drugs)
CT head (to rule out space occupying lesion)