Soaring High, Crashing Low

SOARING HIGH, CRASHING LOW

MIXED EPISODE

Topics in Mental Health

By Shlomo Y. Radcliffe

What is Mixed Episode?

A Mixed Episode is a combination of symptoms of both Major Depressive Episode (depression) and Manic Episode (mania) all in one short period of time. See the detailed descriptions of each of these conditons (dpression and mania) in the Mental Health section on this site under the titles \"Very Depressed\" and \"Higher Than a Kite.\" A person suffering from a mixed episode displays intense highs and lows of mood that are extremely disruptive to his or her functioning. Checking the criteria below, you will see that a true mixed episode can involve psychotic symptoms and may require temporary hospitalization.

Symptoms of Mixed Episode (DSM-IV Criteria)

In order to be diagnosed with Mixed Episode a person must meet the following symptoms:

Nearly every day for at least one week the person has met the symptoms for both a Major Depressive Episode and a Manic Episode.The severity of the symptoms results in one or more of these problems:

Interferes with work, social, or personal functioning

Causes psychotic features such as hallucinations and delusions

Requires hospitalization for the protection of the person or others

The symptoms are not directly caused by a general medical condition or by the use of substances, including prescription medication.

Treatment for Mixed Episode

As in the treatments for Major Depressive Episode and Manic Episode, the use of medication is especially helpful in Mixed Episode.