Manic depression
Also called bipolar mood disorder, manic depression is a very
serious disease of brain associated with extreme shifts in
moods, body functioning and behavior. Just a few years back,
manic depression was glorified as a trait so common with many
well known artists, composers and brilliant writers; but in
reality, thousands of lives have been lost or their career
ruined due to this strange disease. An extreme case of manic
depression has even lead to many people committing suicide. This
debilitating disease affects almost 3 million Americans and 1.5
millions Europeans, and both men and women are equally troubled
by this disease.
Manic depression usually starts occurring during early teenage
or even during childhood; the symptoms are manifested by
irregular cycles or episodes of maniac tendencies, depression
and mood swing, often disrupting normal daily life. Three
different types of episodes are associated with manic depression
and each one of them is quite different from the other. Episodes
of depression signify a persistent sad or withdrawn mood, while
an episode of mania may show frequent or abnormal mood swings
from one extreme to another. However, a mixed or combined state
that consists of both mania and depression is probably the most
difficult stage to manage and treat.
Signs and symptoms which occur during an episode of mania are:
1. Enhanced energy, high state of excitability and increased
activity
2. Feelings of euphoria, greatness and generally excited mood
3. Gets irritable even at the smallest of incidences.
4. Lightening speed talk, thoughts and changing ideas.
5. Lack of concentration accompanied by less sleep.
6. Feelings of grandeur and false belief in their own capacity.
7. Lack of a good judgment
8. Unusual behavior that is easily recognizable.
9. Easily provoked, excessive intrusion in other's affairs,
state of aggression and angry.
10. Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
Signs and symptoms which occur during an episode of depression
are:
1. Frequent sad, melancholic or empty mood
2. Feelings of dejection, guilt, or helplessness
3. Progressive loss of interest in day to day activities.
4. Depleted energy levels and feeling of tiredness.
5. Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decision
6. Suicidal talk and tendencies
During early part of the illness these episodes are usually
separated by a period of no symptoms and the patient usually
feels very good and behaves normal. However, when five or more
episodes of illness occur within a year, rapid manic depression
sets in and becomes too frequent, leading to extreme
consequences. This is also sometimes called a state of rapid
recycling, when the degeneration of body and mind sets in at a
rapid rate.
A chronic and severe manic depression may lead the patient to a
stage of psychosis, when typical symptoms like hallucinations
and delusions occur, and such a stage is probably an offshoot of
highly dangerous, Schizophrenia. Many people with manic
depression will get immense help from a sustained level of
treatment and good results are usually achieved by stabilizing
their mood swings and other associated symptoms. Highly
improvised drugs and medicines like Lithium, atypical
antipsychotic medications and high-potency benzodiazepine
medications are usually prescribed to patients, depending on the
history and intensity of the symptoms. Apart from drugs and
medicines, patients are also recommended session of
psychotherapy and behavioral therapy.