A patient presenting with mania should exhibit an elevated or expansive mood for at least how long?

In the context of diagnosing mania, the duration of mood changes is a critical factor. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), mania is characterized by an elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least one week. This criterion helps differentiate between normal mood fluctuations and pathological mood states, ensuring that the diagnosis is based on significant and sustained changes in mood.

The one-week duration serves to confirm that the symptomatology is not episodic or short-lived, which could lead to misdiagnosis. This timeframe also allows for an accurate assessment of associated symptoms, such as increased energy, decreased need for sleep, and impulsive behavior, which typically arise during this extended period of mood elevation.

Assessing for symptoms over a more extended time, such as two weeks, aligns more with the criteria for major depressive episodes rather than mania. Therefore, the one-week minimum requirement effectively encapsulates the necessary duration for accurately diagnosing mania, distinguishing it from transient mood variations that do not meet the threshold for a manic episode.