How long must mania last to meet the criteria for bipolar disorder diagnosis?

For a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the criteria specify that a manic episode must last at least one week. This duration is essential because it helps distinguish between normal mood fluctuations and a more severe mood disturbance that characterizes bipolar disorder. The one-week requirement ensures that the signs and symptoms present are significant enough to warrant intervention and not just brief episodes of elevated mood or irritability that might be related to stress or other factors.

Mania is characterized by an abnormally elevated or irritable mood, increased energy or activity levels, and other symptoms such as decreased need for sleep, inflated self-esteem, talkativeness, distractibility, and reckless behavior. Given the severity of these symptoms, having them persist for at least one week helps solidify the diagnosis and indicates that treatment may be necessary to manage the condition effectively.

Other durations listed in the options do not meet the threshold for a manic episode in the context of bipolar disorder, making the one-week duration the definitive criterion for diagnosis.