The 6 differences between mania and obsession

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.

Recommended articles:

• "Mania: Symptoms, Associated Disorders, and Treatment"
• "What is an obsession? Causes, symptoms and treatment"

What are mania and obsession?

Before knowing the six differences between mania and obsession, we are going to know the meaning (or meanings) of each of these concepts below.

1. Mania

It should be clarified that mania, in turn, can take two different meanings: on the one hand, we find the mania typical of a Bipolar disorder, which consists of an alteration of the 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 the doors with the right hand, cleaning the vases in the same way, etc.

That is to say, 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, however, let's see what an obsession is.

2. Obsession

Obsessions are characteristics of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and consist of recurring 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 to, ideas that come to our heads and that we cannot help but think about. They appear in people's minds in a permanent and fixed way (they break 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 hands are always dirty (and consequently washing them every "X" minutes; this would be the compulsion), thinking that the door has not been closed properly before leaving, thinking that the gas has not been turned off 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 it compulsively), or an idea in relation to that person, for example.

The differences between mania and obsession

We are going to see the differences between mania and obsession, referring to different parameters or criteria.

1. intrusion degree

The degree of intrusion refers to the ability of something to interfere in our mind or in our daily functioning.. In this case, an obsession is much more intrusive than a hobby, since it can condition us important aspects of everyday life, and also breaks into our consciousness more intensely 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. Mania, on the other hand, appears 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 OCD cases (it is necessary for obsessions and/or compulsions to appear in order to diagnose OCD); outside of it they also appear, but compared to mania, 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.

In addition, the vast majority of obsessions imply for the person the need to apply a compulsion (action that reduces the anxiety caused by the obsession), which, if not carried out, increases the anxiety of the patient; this aspect grants a higher degree of severity to the obsession.

On the other hand, manias, although they can generate a certain restlessness or 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 hobbies 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, most of the manias appear in the first group (general population); thus, surely we all know friends, relatives (or even oneself) with certain hobbies.

Obsessions, on the other hand, although they can also appear in the clinical or general population, are more frequent in clinical population (in the context of OCD or another disorder, such as schizophrenia or personality disorder paranoid).

5. Origin

More differences between mania and obsession are found in their origin or cause. In this way, obsessions appear, generally, as a consequence of suffering from OCD (it is the disorder par excellence where they appear). The origin of OCD is not well known, but it is known that stressful or anxious states exacerbate its symptoms (and therefore accentuate obsessions).

Hobbies 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. In other words, the origin of hobbies and obsessions is usually similar, although with the corresponding nuances.

6. Frequency of appearance of symptoms

Whereas the obsession is usually permanent (i.e., it does not go away until the compulsion is performed, or, in the case of obsessions without a 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.

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association –APA- (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Madrid: Pan American.

• Belloch, A., Sandin, B. and Ramos, F. (2010). Manual of Psychopathology. Volume I and II. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.

• Triglia, Adrian; Regader, Bertrand; Garcia-Allen, Jonathan (2016). Psychologically speaking. Paidos.