A manic episode requires persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased activity lasting at least how long?

• A. Hypomanic Episode
• B. Manic Episode
• C. Major Depressive Episode
• D. Catatonic Disorder due to Another Medical Condition

Answer: (B)

Manic episodes are defined by a distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased activity or energy, lasting at least one week (7 days) unless hospitalization is necessary, in which case shorter duration can count. This duration criterion helps distinguish mania from hypomania, which requires at least four days and is not severe enough to cause marked impairment or require hospitalization, and from depressive episodes, which have a separate duration and symptom pattern. Catatonic disorder due to another medical condition is not a mood episode at all. So, the best choice reflects the mania duration rule: at least one week (unless hospitalization occurs).