Guideline 8: Mania (Bipolar I Disorder)

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The experts considered elevated, expansive, or irritable mood that persists for at least 1 week the single most important discriminating feature in diagnosing nonpsychotic mania in an older patient. The other features they endorsed agree closely with the DSM-IV criteria for a manic episode.

The two most important diagnostic features for psychotic mania are hallucinations or delusions and elevated, expansive, or irritable mood.’ ‹