vere, speech may become disorganized, incoherent , and particularly distressful to the individ-
ual. Sometimes thoughts are experienced as so crowded that it is very difficult to speak.
Distractibility (Criterion B5) is evidenced by  an inability to censor immaterial external
stimuli (e.g., the interviewer’s attire, backgr ound noises or conversations, furnishings in
the room) and often prevents individuals expe riencing mania from holding a rational con-
versation or attending to instructions.