Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What characterizes mania as opposed to hypomania?

1. No impairment of social functioning

2. Impairment of social/occupational functioning

3. Hallucinations only

4. Shorter duration

The correct answer is: Impairment of social/occupational functioning

Mania is characterized by a significantly higher level of mood elevation and associated impairments compared to hypomania. Specifically, in mania, there is evident impairment in social and occupational functioning. This means that individuals experiencing a manic episode often face substantial difficulties in maintaining relationships and performing effectively in work or daily tasks due to the intensity of their symptoms. In contrast, hypomania involves similar but less severe symptoms that do not lead to such significant disruptions in functioning. Individuals in a hypomanic state may exhibit elevated mood and increased energy, but they typically maintain their ability to function socially and occupationally without substantial impairment. The other choices do not accurately reflect the distinctions between mania and hypomania. For instance, while hallucinations can occur in mania, they are not exclusive to that state and can be more indicative of a severe episode. Duration also differs, with mania lasting longer than hypomania, but duration alone does not define the severity or level of impairment. Thus, the correct distinguishing characteristic focuses on the pronounced impairment of social and occupational functioning seen in mania.