Which scenario best fits manic episode?

• A. A major depressive episode
• B. Generalized anxiety disorder
• C. Panic attack
• D. Manic episode

Answer: (D)

Manic episode is characterized by an abnormally elevated or irritable mood with a notable rise in energy and activity. You’d expect to see several features at once, such as inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, a decreased need for sleep, being more talkative or having pressured speech, racing thoughts or flight of ideas, distractibility, and an uptick in goal-directed or risky behaviors (like spending sprees or impulsive decisions). These symptoms persist for at least a week (or longer) and cause clear impairment in functioning.

The other conditions describe different patterns: a major depressive episode centers on depressed mood and loss of interest, generalized anxiety disorder involves chronic excessive worry with physical symptoms, and a panic attack is a sudden, intense wave of fear with somatic symptoms. None of those include the sustained elevated mood and surge of energy that define mania. In occupational therapy practice, recognizing mania helps tailor safety planning, routine-building, sleep regulation, and activity pacing to support daily functioning.