University of Central Florida (UCF) CLP3143 Psychopathology Practice Exam 1

Bipolar disorder is accurately defined as a mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania or hypomania. In bipolar disorder, individuals experience significant fluctuations in their mood that can swing from manic or hypomanic states to depressive episodes.

During a manic episode, a person may display heightened energy, euphoric mood, decreased need for sleep, and increased talkativeness, often leading to impulsive or risky behaviors. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania that may not cause significant functional impairment but can still present with similar symptoms, albeit to a lesser degree. The presence of these alternating mood states—manic or hypomanic alongside depressive episodes—is what distinguishes bipolar disorder from other mood disorders, such as unipolar depression, which affects only periods of depression.

In contrast to the other options, which describe different mental health conditions, option B encompasses the essential features of bipolar disorder—namely, its hallmark mood fluctuations that include both elevated and depressive phases.