Many times, in everyday language, the terms “mania” and “obsession” are confused; Thus, we use these concepts interchangeably, when in reality, they are different concepts.
In this article we will know the 6 differences between mania and obsession, referring to 6 criteria or parameters that allow us to distinguish them. First, however, we will explain what each of these concepts consists of, mentioning some examples.
Before knowing the six differences between mania and obsession, let’s learn the meaning (or meanings) of each of these concepts below.
1. Mania
It should be noted that mania, in turn, can take on two different meanings: on the one hand, we find the mania typical of a bipolar disorder, which consists of an alteration in mood, which becomes expansive and euphoric (manic episodes). This meaning of mania is more serious than the next.
On the other hand, The concept of mania also refers to small behaviors that people maintain as a ritual or for superstitious reasons: for example, sleeping with a small light on, closing doors with the right hand, cleaning vases in the same way, etc.
That is, they are a kind of rituals that people have, particular ways of doing things, which imply that we always do them in the same way (they are “rigid” ideas or behaviors).
In this article we will refer to the second meaning of mania that we have explained. Before explaining the six differences between mania and obsession, let’s see what an obsession is.
Obsessions are characteristics of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and consist of recurrent and persistent thoughts, images or impulses, which are experienced by the person as intrusive and inappropriate. In addition, they generate high anxiety or discomfort.
That is to say, these are thoughts that we compulsively turn over, ideas that come to our heads and that we cannot help but think about. They appear in people’s minds permanently and fixedly (they burst into it), and the person can feel dominated by them. They are very difficult to control or stop.
Examples of OCD obsessions are: thinking that one’s hands are always dirty (and consequently washing them every “X” minutes; this would be a compulsion), thinking that the door has not been closed properly before leaving, thinking that it has not been turned off. the gas before leaving, thinking that if “X” action is not done, something bad will happen, etc.
It is worth mentioning that obsessions can also appear outside of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, in “healthy” people (without mental pathology), although their characteristics may vary slightly. Thus, an obsession could also be a person (thinking about them compulsively), or an idea in relation to that person, for example.
The differences between mania and obsession
Let’s see the differences between mania and obsession, referring to different parameters or criteria.
1. Degree of intrusion
The degree of intrusion refers to the ability of something to interfere with our mind or our daily functioning In this case, an obsession is much more intrusive than a mania, since it can affect important aspects of our daily life, and it also breaks into our consciousness in a more intense way than a mania.
This is also appreciated because obsessions are generally (although not always) part of a mental disorder that can often be serious: OCD. Manias, on the other hand, appear more typically in people without a mental disorder, that is, in the general population.
2. Frequency of appearance in the population
The second parameter to explain the differences between mania and obsession is their frequency of appearance in the population.
So, Obsessions are less frequent than manias, if we take into account that almost all people have some mania(s) Obsessions, for their part, appear in the vast majority of cases of OCD (obsessions and/or compulsions must appear to be able to diagnose OCD); Outside of it they also appear, but in comparison to manias, not so much, since they are more serious.
3. Gravity
Another criterion that differentiates mania from obsession, closely related to the first one we mentioned (degree of intrusion), refers to severity. So, obsessions are more serious, because they generate significant discomfort or anxiety
Furthermore, the vast majority of obsessions entail for the person the need to apply a compulsion (an action that reduces the anxiety caused by the obsession), which, if not carried out, increases the patient’s anxiety; This aspect gives a greater degree of severity to the obsession.
On the other hand, manias, although they can generate some restlessness or a feeling of discomfort if they are not carried out, do not usually cause as much anxiety. On the other hand, it is easier for people to incorporate manias as “part of their personality” or their “way of being” than obsessions.
4. Population that suffers from them
As we have already mentioned on occasion, manias appear both in the general population (without mental disorder) and in the clinical population (in the context of some mental disorder) (surely in this second population they become more serious).
However, the majority of manias appear in the first group (general population); Thus, surely we all know friends, family (or even ourselves) with certain quirks.
Obsessions, on the other hand, although they can also appear in the clinical or general population, are more common in the clinical population (in the context of OCD or another disorder, such as schizophrenia or a paranoid personality disorder).
5. Origin
More differences between mania and obsession are found in their origin or cause. In this way, obsessions generally appear as a consequence of suffering from OCD (it is the disorder par excellence where they appear). The origin of OCD is not very well known, but it is known that stressful or anxious states exacerbate its symptoms (and therefore accentuate obsessions).
Manias are also associated with states of anxiety or elevated emotional states On the other hand, they can also appear because a process of internal change is being experienced. That is to say, the origin of manias and obsessions is usually similar, although with the corresponding nuances.
6. Frequency of appearance of symptoms
While the obsession is usually permanent in nature (that is, it does not disappear until the compulsion is carried out or, in the case of obsessions without compulsion, they usually remain), mania tends to be intermittent
That is, the latter usually appears and disappears “just like that”, without the need to perform a compensatory action such as compulsion.
