Which sleep pattern disturbance is seen in Mania?

Question

Question

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KGMU Nursing Officer 2023 Memory-Based Previous Year Paper

Answer 1

Correct Answer: Decreased need for sleep

Rationale:

Mania is a state characterized by elevated mood, increased energy, and hyperactivity, often seen in bipolar disorder. One of the hallmark symptoms of mania is a decreased need for sleep. Individuals experiencing mania often feel rested and energized despite sleeping for only a few hours or sometimes not at all.
This decreased need for sleep is not the same as insomnia, where individuals struggle to sleep despite feeling tired. In mania, the individual does not feel the usual fatigue associated with sleep deprivation and may remain active and alert for extended periods.
The reduced sleep requirement in mania can exacerbate other symptoms, such as impulsivity, distractibility, and grandiosity, further fueling the manic episode.

Additional Information:

Sleep disturbances are considered a diagnostic criterion for mania according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition).
Treatment for mania often involves mood stabilizers, antipsychotic medications, and sometimes sedatives to address sleep disturbances and other manic symptoms.

Explanation of Other Options:

Increased need for sleep

Rationale: This symptom is more commonly associated with depressive episodes rather than mania. In depression, individuals may experience hypersomnia, where they sleep excessively but still feel fatigued. This is the opposite of what is observed in mania.

Somnambulism

Rationale: Somnambulism, or sleepwalking, is a parasomnia disorder where individuals perform complex behaviors during sleep. It is not a feature of mania and is unrelated to the decreased need for sleep seen in manic episodes.

Sleep-wake cycle disturbance

Rationale: While disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle can occur in mania, it is not the defining feature. The specific disturbance in mania is a decreased need for sleep, which is distinct from general sleep-wake cycle disruptions.

Conclusion:

The decreased need for sleep is a key symptom of mania, distinguishing it from other conditions that may affect sleep patterns. Recognizing this symptom is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective management of manic episodes.