Educational reference
About this symptom
Elevated or expansive mood describes a mood state that is clearly higher than a person's usual state, and out of keeping with their circumstances. It may be experienced as euphoria, unusual optimism, or a sense of expanded capability. It can also present as irritability rather than cheerfulness, particularly when a person is challenged or slowed down.
What distinguishes it from ordinary good mood is the change from baseline, the persistence, and the accompanying changes in energy, activity and sleep. It typically comes with increased activity, reduced need for sleep, faster speech and thought, and greater willingness to act on impulse.
In mania these changes are severe enough to disrupt work, relationships or safety, and may involve losing contact with reality. In hypomania they are noticeable to others but less disruptive.
Because elevated mood can feel productive, it is often not the reason a person seeks help, and may be identified only when a clinician asks about it directly.