| An attempt was made to induce a hypomanic-like state in normals in order to examine the subjective experience of such a state and the extent to which the state may be created and sustained by activity. It is suggested that hypomanic experience is not a strictly passive one and that individuals may engage in specific activities which seek to foster, prolong or intensify the subjective qualities of hypomanic experience. This may be the case particularly for people threatened with depression and those with a severely punishing self-critical capacity.; The induction procedure involves performance of a cognitive-perceptual task (Rorschach administration) under conditions which seek to reproduce aspects of the subjective experience of hypomanic states such as speeded-up cognitive perceptual processes, elation, and liberation from self-critical activity. Subjects in a "high-pressure" (HP) group (N = 13) were asked to give as many responses as possible within 60 seconds of the presentation of each card, while subjects in a "modified-high pressure" (MHP) group (N = 13) were asked to give as many responses as possible without any time limit. A control group (N = 14) received a standard administration (Exner, 1990, 1993). Responses were scored as to content using the Schizoid Affective Rating Scale (SARS) (Carsky & Bloomgarden, 1982) and as to type of thought disorder using the Thought Disorder Index (TDI) (Johnston & Holtzman, 1979). A pre and post manipulation score of arousal and pleasure was taken using the Affect Grid (Russell, Weiss, & Mendelson, 1989). It was hypothesized that subjects in the experimental groups would experience a hypomanic-like state with higher scores of arousal and pleasure on the Affect Grid, increased Combinatory Thinking rather than other types of thought Disorders on the TDI, and higher scores on affective content than schizoid content on the SARS. Data analysis provides overall support for predictions with the exception of a failure to obtain increased arousal. This is discussed in terms of a possible limitation in the procedure used to assess arousal. Clinical and theoretical implications, possible limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed. |
