Phenomenology of mania in eastern India

One hundred consecutively hospitalized cases fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria for bipolar disorder, manic type, were studied by using the Hindi version of the Present State Examination. There was a preponderance of young male patients. Almost all cases showed expansive mood, subjective ideomotor pressure and grandiose delusions. Flight of ideas was rarely seen. Delusions of reference and persecution were very common and so were religious and sexual delusions. The findings are discussed in the light of cultural factors.