Mental Health Technician Certification (AMCA) Practice Test

Clients with bipolar or cyclothymic disorder typically exhibit which type of mood characteristic?

1. Depression

2. Mania

3. Anxiety

4. Disillusionment

The correct answer is: Mania

Clients with bipolar or cyclothymic disorder typically exhibit characteristics of mania. This is fundamental to understanding these mood disorders since they are defined by significant fluctuations in mood states. In the case of bipolar disorder, individuals experience episodes of mania or hypomania, which are periods of abnormally elevated mood, increased energy, and heightened activity or irritability. These manic episodes may involve racing thoughts, excessive talking, distractibility, inflated self-esteem, and sometimes risky behavior. Cyclothymic disorder, while often less severe, still includes periods of hypomania and depressive symptoms, thus also embodying mood elevation characteristic of mania. While depression is indeed a significant component of bipolar disorder, it’s the manic episodes that are distinctive for identifying and diagnosing the disorder. Anxiety and disillusionment may be present in varying degrees but do not define the core characteristics of bipolar or cyclothymic disorders. Understanding this mood characteristic is crucial for mental health professionals to effectively recognize and treat these disorders.