How Do You Know if You Have Manic-Depression

By Michael Rayel

Nancy was doing very well until about two years ago when Phil, her boyfriend of 9 years, broke-up with her. It was a difficult moment for her especially after she learned that Phil eventually married her cousin. Since then, Nancy had deteriorated. One evening, she was involved in a motor vehicular accident because she was driving fast and recklessly in a quiet suburban neighborhood.

During interrogation, the cops noted that Nancy was talking rapidly and nobody could interrupt her. Also, she was making jokes and laughing so loud. She further indicated to them that she was on her way to meet the President and his top officials about her invention that could cure the oil crunch. She eventually ended up in the emergency room where she was diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder after intensive evaluation.

Bipolar disorder or manic-depression is manifested by highs and lows. When a patient like Nancy is on the manic side, there is a persistent feeling of euphoria or irritability associated with lack of need for sleep, excessive energy, agitation, fast and loud speech, increase in goal-directed activities such as spending sprees and establishing businesses with no appropriate plan, and hypersexuality.

Patients with this disorder develop poor judgment and impulsivity. They become irritable and can lash out easily even if not provoked. Some patients have delusions of grandeur. When this happens, patients think that they have special powers, talents, and influence.

When not manic, patients either feel normal or depressed. Depression in bipolar disorder has the same manifestation as major depression that consists of feelings of sadness associated with neurovegetative signs and symptoms such as inability to sleep, eat, and concentrate. Energy level is also impaired. In addition, patients experience a feeling of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness. Suicidal ideation may ensue.

For individuals who develop mania, does it always mean that they suffer from bipolar disorder?

Not necessarily. Mania can be caused by various medical and neurologic conditions. For instance, multiple sclerosis and stroke can present with manic symptoms. Moreover, medications and street drugs may precipitate mania. Steroids, cocaine, and amphetamine are some examples. Even some antidepressants can induce mania.

So when a person shows mania, the physician usually does intensive evaluation to rule out medical, neurologic, and medication-induced conditions before diagnosing bipolar disorder. This process is important because the treatment varies depending upon the cause. Once other conditions are ruled out, then bipolar disorder can be safely diagnosed and treated.

Copyright © 2004. Dr. Michael G. Rayel – author (First Aid to Mental Illness–Finalist, Reader’s Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: An EQ Game. For info, visit http://www.oikosgame.com and http://www.soardime.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Rayel

Manic Depression: Tips to Turn Frowns and Tears into Smiles and Laughter

By Matt OConnor

You could be suffering from manic depression without even knowing it. Even if your mood swings don't resemble the actions of a pendulum, actions of extreme opposites are sufficient evidence to prove that you’re suffering from manic depression. If you believe that you’re suffering from this disorder, it's important to get help immediately and prevent it from affecting your life in a more significant way.

How to Handle Manic Depression

Also known as bipolar disorder, manic depression may be inherited and is usually serious and persistent. As mentioned earlier, not all people suffering from bipolar depression would have violent mood swings. In some cases, the transition from depression to mania or elation is gradual.

Regardless of that, it’s imperative that proper medical attention is given immediately to the affected individual to prevent the disorder from worsening.

COOPERATE FULLY WITH YOUR DOCTOR. This is not the time to feel ashamed about your condition. It's not your fault if you happen to suffer from manic depression. You should also understand that your doctor is there to help you and nothing else. If you don’t give your complete trust to your doctor, the treatment for your condition is most probably not as effective as it’s meant to be.

KEEP A CHART OF ACTIONS AND EVENTS RELATED TO YOUR CONDITION. Take note of the dates and times when symptoms of manic depression have occurred. Keeping a chart would not only help you understand the seriousness of your condition but it could also show you a trend that you were once unaware of. Awareness of this trend will better enable you to identify when you’re once again starting to experience the effects of manic depression.

NEVER TAKE ANY MEDICATION FOR MANIC DEPRESSION WITHOUT A GO-AHEAD FROM YOUR DOCTOR. Although your desire to be cured is entirely understandable, that doesn’t mean it should overrule common sense. Dabbling with drugs that you don’t fully comprehend can lead to serious medical complications. If you don’t think your present medication is effective, relay your feelings to your psychiatrist and he will no doubt see to it that your medication is immediately changed.

Speaking of medication, mood stabilizers are one of the most common forms of drugs prescribed for people suffering from manic depression. With the consumption of mood stabilizers, there is less chance for manic depression to recur. Lithium is the first type of mood stabilizer used for treating manic depression. Anticonvulsant medications like valproate are conversely used to treat the more serious cases of manic depression. It’s possible for a doctor to prescribe both anticonvulsant medication and lithium for manic depression patients.

WHEN A PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR YOU, FOLLOW THIS RIGOROUSLY. Having on-and-off treatment will only give you a temporary cure from manic depression. Prioritize your therapy sessions as it’s the only way for you to get better.

DON’T KEEP SECRETS. If something new comes up and it seems to be related to your condition, inform your doctor immediately. Failing to do so could lead to more suffering in the future.

TAKE NOTE OF SIDE EFFECTS. Certain medications for manic depression may make you gain weight, feel weak or nauseous, and even lose hair. If your medication has any side effect that bothers you, inform your doctor about it so he can change your treatment accordingly.

Lastly, don’t hide your condition from your loved ones. Even if you don’t have a doctor for a parent or partner, you’ll be amazed at the amount of help they can give just by providing you comfort and emotional support.

Did you know 16% of the world's population suffer from depression? Author Matthew OConnor runs a site dedicated to the latest news and developments in manic depression. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_OConnor

Hope For Those Suffering From Manic Depression

By A. Green

A bombshell has dropped! You or a loved one have been diagnosed with manic depression. After the initial shock has lessened, you find yourself trying to understand this disorder. It makes sense to educate yourself about bipolar disorder, when attempting to deal with and recover from this condition.

Questions may arise regarding the origin or cause of manic depression. Do genetics influence whether a person is born with it or will be affected later in life? Are early experiences significant and can stressful events trigger onset of symptoms? Much has been said about chemical imbalances. Is there a correlation between nutritional deficiencies and biochemical imbalances in the brain?

Although the illness appears to have a genetic link, seemingly running in families, no gene has been identified that can be said to be responsible or the cause of manic depression and experts are divided in their opinions as to whether genes actually play a part.

Psychological factors may also play a role. Children who have experienced traumatic events and suffered emotional damage may be at greater risk. Some sufferers can pinpoint a period of great stress precipitating or triggering onset of their condition and feel this may be at the root of or the cause of manic depression in their case.

More significantly, however, extensive research shows that nutritional deficiencies in the brain and nervous system can have an impact on the brain's delicate balance, resulting in neurotransmitters and the nervous system being compromised. These deficiencies can contribute or may be a cause of manic depression because nutritional imbalances and deficiencies may cause neurotransmitters and brain impulses to malfunction, leading to thought and mood fluctuations and changes in energy or behavior. These changes can last for hours or days, weeks or even months. For someone living with manic depression, life can be a roller coaster. Moods can swing between highs (mania) and lows (depression).

When examining characteristics of or defining what is manic depression it may be helpful to describe how a brain deficient in the right nutrients may present chemistry consistent with bipolar disorder. During a manic phase a person may feel a heightened sense of self-importance, increased self-confidence, and euphoric feelings. In this overactive state, a person may experience racing thoughts and rapid speech and may be bubbling over with plans. Impulsivity and poor judgment can lead to spending sprees and debts; irritation and anger may be more readily activated. When we continue to define what is manic depression the most consistent symptom and the one presenting the biggest challenge, is often the depression sufferers experience. The sadness, worry, anxiety, guilt, and worthlessness can feel overwhelming. Appetite and sleep patterns may be affected. Trying to concentrate and remember can make even the simplest tasks seem monumental. All of this can combine to provoke suicidal feelings.

Thankfully, promising new treatments offer hope. One effective treatment option is the use of natural remedies. Natural remedies incorporate essential and key ingredients, providing nutrients that work to correct deficiencies and imbalances in the brain, restoring positive mood, repairing neurotransmitter malfunction, and increasing emotional energy. Key nutrients found in natural supplements are: Choline Bitartrate or Phosphatidyl Choline, L-Valine, Selenium, and Valerian, to name a few. These nutrients address deficiencies that may be a cause of manic depression, restoring and repairing cognitive function.

We have discussed what is manic depression what causes it, symptoms, and how use of natural remedies is a safe and scientifically backed alternative treatment approach for bipolar disorder. More information about the cause of manic depression can be found at our site. Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She is a regular contributor to several health sites, including Beat Your Depression, a site dedicated to treating depression safely and effectively. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Green

Tests For Manic Depression In The Real World

By Flor Serquina

Manic depression or manic-depressive illness is also known as bipolar disorder, a medical condition characterized by shifting moods, energy levels, and functional abilities of the afflicted person. With the mood and energy swings reaching the severe levels, tests for manic depression are increasingly becoming more complex.

What Is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive illness or simply manic depression is a condition characterized by recurring bouts of significant, severe mood and energy disturbances. The range of the spectrum is from those lows of debilitating depression to those highs of uncontrollable mania, thus the bipolar or extreme poles of the condition. Bipolar disorder sufferers are almost always in a mixed range of depression episodes that occur in cycles.

Precisely a cyclic illness, bipolar disorder or manic depression occurs regularly from the elevated or manic level to the lowest depressed level. It begins to manifest itself from childhood and may continue on to young adulthood and even adulthood if not treated.

The state of mania is characterized by the elevated irritability state of the sufferer's mood. The manic depressive may experience a surge of energy and will have difficulty in falling asleep. Attentiveness may be affected and the manic-depressive is distracted easily. The manic-depressive may have delusions of grandeur. The manic-depressive may even in the extreme get psychotic or detach himself from reality.

What Tests Are There For Manic Depression?

Manic depression being a mental illness is not measurable or diagnosable physiologically, that is through blood tests, MRIs, or brain scans. Tests for manic depression are more focused on the disorder's symptoms, the genetic and family history of the sufferer, the course and duration of the illness.

Clinical studies on manic depression or bipolar disorder abound. These include tests for manic depression presence or occurrence in the subjects. Tests for manic depression include scientific evaluation and investigation into the causes and treatments of this illness.

Research studies on mental health, such as those sponsored or conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health, provide relevant information on the types of medication, the combination of medication and therapies, the benefits of psychotherapy or behavioral intervention in manic depression, the diagnosis and the diagnosis' reliability, and preventive measures.

The National Institute of Mental Health introduced recently tests for manic depression and other behavioral disorders through real-world studies, so called for several underlying reasons. These tests provide different treatments and different combinations of treatments and target large numbers of mental disorder sufferers living in diverse area settings. The real-world aspect comes in such real-world issues like family life, work patterns and attitudes, even social relations and functions.

More recently, the National Institute of Mental Health initiated and implemented the STEP-BD or Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder. This test for manic depression or bipolar disorder solicited participants for this largest-ever study based on "real-world" scenarios on the different treatment schemes for bipolar disorder. This and other clinical studies on bipolar disorder are proving that tests for manic depression will shed more light on better medication and therapy regimens for patients.

What To Do If You Were Tested "Positive?"

Bipolar disorder is a serious form of mood disorder. Its symptoms of shifting moods from one end of the spectrum to the other end make the person suffering from it very unpredictable.

Today, the patient may be extremely happy as though the world has been too good for him. Then the next day he falls into a crying episode, displaying melancholy and gloominess, and dislikes to socialize even with members of the family.

These erratic changes in behavior makes a manic depressive person a high risk for suicide. He can harm himself and he can harm the people around him, even those that he loves.

If you are tested "positive" from bipolar disorder, seek help immediately. You need to know how to manage and control your impulses and urges, which a manic depressive has a hard time controlling, such as excessive gambling, promiscuous sexual behavior or shop lifting.

Thus if you suspect you or a family member is manic depressive, don't hesitate to take the test for manic depression.

Flor Serquina is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Facts-About-Depression.com. She provides more information on topics such as test for manic depression, medications for depression and anxiety and depression anxiety treatment that you can research on her website even while lounging in your living room. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Flor_Serquina

Manic Depression - Happily Sad Or Sadly Happy?

By Neil Day

Like a pendulum on a constant swing either up or down, those who suffer from manic depression might find themselves feeling and acting clinically depressed one day and on an emotional high the next. Also known as bipolar disorder for this pendulum swing, the condition does not have a known cause and cures are also not known. But, there are some effective treatments to help put the person in regulating the swings.

Before treatment for manic depression can be sought, however, a diagnosis of the condition must be made. While it’s normal for people to have one bad day followed by a good one, the swings involved in manic depression are anything but ordinary. The reality is those suffering from it have serious, severe depression in the downward spiral and clinical mania when they're up.

The symptoms of both conditions must be present for a diagnosis of manic depression to be made. Medical and/or psychological assistance should be sought to help determine if the symptoms are characteristic of manic depression. In general, the polar swings have some common ties in most patients. Let’s look at both.

When in a depressive state, a person with manic depression might exhibit such symptoms as a constant feeling of sadness, guilt or hopelessness, a loss of sleep, fatigue, concentration issues, irritability and even thoughts of suicide. The periods of depression can present exactly like clinical depression and can be moderate to severe.

The manic phase might sound like a little more “fun,” but the truth is the ups are unhealthy ones for a person suffering from manic depression. The symptoms of the manic phase include such things as high self-esteem, euphoria, racing thoughts, increased physical activity, recklessness, sleep issues, distraction, aggressiveness and more. A person in a manic upswing might make bad decisions, get involved in risky ventures and create all sorts of problems for themselves that will seem doubly worse if a depressive state ensues.

When the pendulum swings between these two on a persistent basis, a diagnosis of manic depression might be in order. While there’s no known cause or cure, there are medications that can help regulate a person’s swings. This can help ensure a relatively normal life is possible. Treatment for this condition generally will last a lifetime and the road ahead won't necessarily be easy, but it can be traversed.

The signs and symptoms of manic depression can be hard to identify at first. The first appearance of them is generally in youth with the swings continuing throughout a lifetime.

If a member of your family or a friend told you they felt life wasn't worth living, and then the next minute they were feeling on top of the world, would you be able to recognise if they could be suffering with manic depression? If not you must visit this site called Some Depression Info RIGHT NOW! Get the facts about the spirit killing condition that is depression, and find out more about depression treatment and depression medication. It could literally mean the difference between life and death. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Neil_Day

Life With Manic Depression: A Carer's View

By Eric Hartwell

Chrissie is a carer. She looks after someone with bipolar manic depression. Life is hard. this is part of her story.

Despite all the known and recognised cases of this type of depression, the 1 in 25 people suffering include: Stephen Fry, the artist Van Gogh, the poet Coleridge and even Carrie the Princess Leila out of Star Wars (you may have watched Fry's biographical documentary) at some stage in their lives, they took the brave step to get treatment - and yet many years of medical experience, cases and medicine used has only brought half acknowledgment. They have not brought about a cure for this rampant and as yet largely incurable condition.

Medication forms the major part of the prevention of worsening symptoms. At best stabilising the condition. It is not a cure and can be intermittently dispersed to a less or greater degree. Similarly abating for a season only to suddenly and swiftly rear up again rendering the sufferer into a terrible journey. All too often, daunting demoralising and frightening for both the victim and the nearest relative into a process, which sadly can so often be the best one can hope to achieve as far as a "cure" is concerned. There are very few cases that are totally cured - and medication is still even today very much in its infancy; still trial and error.

Counselling sometimes helps using cognitive behaviour therapy, either one to one or in a small group; Both for the sufferer and the people closest to them it is at the moment the only other accepted supportive form of treatment.

Not enough is known about, or indeed done, to research the devastating effects of the sufferer and families concerned. Here my aim is to de-mistify this strange and baffling condition. To humanise and inform as many as I can about some of the many symptoms.

BI-POLAR MANIC DEPRESSION.

What is it? What is the medication? How does it effect you/signs to look out for, the myths and the why/wherefores.

Now before you all start to panic I’ll put this in a simple nutshell This fairly common yet disruptive in every way mood disorder is the result of a simple imbalance of the chemicals in the brain. It’s not the end of the world. What? Is that it, you ask?

Yep that’s it. An imbalance in the brain. It causes an array of not so simple symptoms which will be discussed in good detail.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Firstly and most importantly hospitalisation either voluntarily or not in a safe and professionally trained environment under the watchful observation of a skilled psychiatrist will be needed to avoid further damage danger and, in some cases, death.

Then of course after careful observation to build up a complete picture of the symptoms and suffering there comes the stabilising medication. In the main form this is usually "Lithium Carbonate." This is a powerful but time dependent compound the brain needs in order to function properly, particularly absent in many manic depressives or by normal comparison very low.

With the Manic depressive, the causes of this absence are not known, though doctors argue and have their differing opinions. The brain after all is covered with delicate fluids and hundreds of neuro transmitters, like a tv or a computer. Any major change to the chemicals found in the delicately made brain can cause chaos. Upset.

There are several reasons to consider the contributing factors for the delicate juices of the brain’s sensitive balance being swung out of sync.

The chemical imbalance is often thought to be especially predisposed in certain groups of people and to have a predisposition to its lack in the first place. For example, many patients have an alcohol dependant parent (usually the mother) which has affected the genetic makeup of the child. Or it has been inherited - passed down from generation to generation. In others there can be no major reason at all.

No one has found a hard and fast 100% cure.

Lithium or sometimes Sodium Valproate taken over time is the commonest therapeutic substance known to ease the effects of mania. It is generally well tolerated and of significant help to alleviate the most stressful of the distressing/mania symptoms. (More of mania later).

But, for most, the effects are not found to be effective immediately, other than as a calming sedative. It has to be taken for at least a year/18 months for any real significant noticeable improvement or benefits. This difficult time period is true in most cases. Depending, of course, on the severity.

Also, and most unfortunately, like some drugs there are side effects which can be off putting to say the least. Not much to show for 2007 in the name of medical scientific advancement then!

Thirst, weight gain, a bloated feeling, and a tremor, coupled with a chance of possible over toxicity and kidney failure are just some of the main side effects that happen....great! Therefore at least every 3-4 months or bi-annually, depending on the severity and the needed therapeutic dose, simple routine but regular blood tests must be carried out to check the Lithium levels and safeguard against possible toxicity.

But what’s the alternative?

Be barking mad? Or be able to be somewhere in-between. The sufferer will instantly say: "mad it’s more interesting"! But the voice of conscience, of reason, of propriety in the carer in other words, will roar "LITHIUM PLEASE, and as fast as you can”!

THE CAUSES OF BI-POLAR

Some say alcohol/drug abuse causes a trigger into psychosis,(this makes sense considering how much damage binge drinking and Class A drugs can do to the body, much less the brain cells!). Others say it is an inherited trait - a defective gene “gone wrong.” Still others argue that the disorder is triggered by some life changing trauma, child abuse, family breakdown, marital breakdown, bereavement and long term stress. These factors are probably all to a degree, true, with much hidden other separate factors too.

Cruelly, many people with a high IQ are affected. The condition is indiscriminate. I’m not a doctor and therefore am not qualified to conclude who is right or wrong – probably the cause is a multiple mixture of all that - and much, much more besides.

Even in the medical advances we have today, not enough is known, and treatment consists of trial and error medications, anti-psychotics, sleeping pills/tranquillisers, mood stabilisers and sometimes usually in the worst affected, slow release injections.

No one knows precisely why Lithium works for some and not in others but it is effective in approximately 79% of diagnosed cases. Much is trial and error which poses all sorts of problems and unwanted side effects. Then again, there are sufferers that can be very unfortunately resistant to any treatment, long term. And as much as 40% of all severe diagnosed cases will need indefinite continuing treatment for possible relapse.

Probably Lithium is one of the commonest prescribed drugs in stabilising the moods. There are various different degrees of severity, episodes and symptoms, which can range between fairly mild (allowing the patient to continue normal life with minimum disruption,) to a full blown severe "hypermanic" episode.

Bipolar, the modern more commonly used name, is classified as having a mixture of exaggerated both high and low moods. Contrasting sides of the same coin, sometimes mingling and overlapping each other in a complex cycle of mixed mood/ contradictory behaviours. Hence the name bipolar - opposites to one another.

THE MYTHS

Let me say now that Manic depression is not Schizophrenia; though in its extreme severity does mimic many of the symptoms. And can be just as alarming. I know that this unpopular stigmatised serious subject has been a long time coming, and in my opinion, well overdue. Exactly why I haven’t up to now trusted myself to fully give this subject the honesty, sensitivity, time, description respect and insight so deserving of those who suffer isn’t a fact I’m proud of.

Here I want to redress the balance a bit, warts and all, and speak totally openly. Hopefully stimulate discussion, offer insights, open the door of communication dispel myths and pre conceived ideas; offer hope, encouragement of our own experiences; perhaps answer questions that no one else wants to, or can.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RANGE OF SYMPTOMS ?

Before I launch in I must emphasise that the following range of symptoms are not to be taken for gospel according to Chrissie! Nor is it an individual, professional diagnosis - just my own frank account from the view of the carer of what I have seen and experienced Ok?

Everyone’s case is different. I am just the mediator to give a generalised view as a carer for the past 12 years. You may want to add or take away what I cover; it’s entirely up to you.

Firstly I’m going to cover some of the complex symptoms and characteristics of the bipolar manic depressive (which, remember, is a baffling complex mixture of two opposite depressive behaviours).

THE LOWS:

Often slow in speech thought and movement
Inability to concentrate
Lack of appetite/over eating
Inattention to wash /dress
Feelings of despair, gloominess, helplessness
A crippling sensation of impending doom
Irritability
Feelings of inadequacy/unexplainable fatigue, aches pains in the body
Withdrawal from others
Exhaustion
Anxiety
Apathy
Indifference
Exaggerated thoughts of a no way out situation
Argumentative
Aggressive
No energy
Over sleeping/not sleeping
Psychotic (i.e. suspicious thinking that the whole world is against them)
The perceptive thoughts impressions are distorted
Suspicious
Lack of confidence
Isolation
Feelings of low self worth
Panic
Zombie like
Crying,snapping
Mumbling, slurring of the words - or no speech at all
No emotions or/& exaggerated emotion.
Disturbed sleep
Strange dreaming
Relationship breakdown
Sporadic employment

In extreme cases:

Suicide/attempted suicide - death

THE HIGHS:

A false yet very real euphoric feeling
An exaggerated sense of grandiosity (sometimes a complete exaggerated and switch of identity crisis that is convinced of ideas quite beyond reason that they are, say, a king/queen/prolific famous person yes, it sounds hilarious doesn’t it?!)
Ego driven
Inpatient
Intolerant
Self absorbed
Fast speed of thoughts, racing through the brain
Disturbed sleep pattern
Spending sprees/running up debt - insolvency
Sexual Libido very very high
Extra marital affairs

Happy (Yey!)
Risk taker
Broken relationships
Confrontational
Aggressive
Belligerent
Manipulative
Fast talking
Incoherent speech
Inappropriate giggling
Laughing, shouting swearing, screaming
High energy
Restlessness
Pacing up and down
Not eating
Extreme Boredom
Hyper activity
Losing money
Not sleeping (this, long term, brings its own problems; hallucination, agitation extreme irritability, violence aggression headaches dizziness)
Confusion
Bewilderment
Nervous exhaustion
Hyper Mania - a serious condition of a euphoric type, and nature causing emotional and irrational behaviour characterised by high nervousness, extreme energy, extreme mood swings, thirst, hunger cravings
The inability to reason properly
The potential to cause harm to yourself &/or others.
Everything “on the run”
Starting projects and never finishing them
Chaotic mood swings and violence towards others
Short attention span.
Eccentric clothing - e.g. summer clothing in the height of winter and vice versa
Clashes with authority/law/social etiquette -another embarrassing experience!
Eventual physical as well as mental breakdown/exhaustion
An unusually high number of sufferers can also suffer with vertigo causing extreme dizziness, stumbling, giddy, fainting
Panic attacks
Inability to control emotion
Loss of inhibitions,including multiple affairs / an addiction to sex
Fights/punches/confrontations
Reduction in the work front with the inability to live in the real world
Unemployment

WHAT MEDICATION IS OFFERED?

Depending on your severity if you are having what’s called a high mood disorder interspersed with anxiety you will probably be given a therapeutic dose of “Hyperperidol” - a common anti psychotic drug to combat psychosis, bring down any irrational fears and to tranquilize (with varying degrees of success) the effects of mania, bringing the heightened mania side of things to a safer more manageable level.

This is the thing - trial and error.

Lithium Carbonate one of the commonest prescribed drugs to even out mood disorder has had much success in stabilising conditions. Some people are resistant to treatment, where higher doses need to be maintained to have any benefit. Also it can take up to a year or so before any benefits are noticeable. And Lithium can be toxic

Lithium is found naturally in healthy brain chemical balances, and doctors are keen to mimic this so what they discovered was that the Manic depressive has very low levels of this compound in the brain. By raising Lithium levels this can often stabilise the condition. However not without a cautionary price. Over time it can have a toxic effect on the kidneys and strict monitoring by way of bi-annual blood tests are carried out to safe guard against kidneys failure.

Trial and error is the name of the game which can be frustrating difficult and occasionally cause more harm than good.

Today, 11 years on. the person to whom I care for is considered a moderately stabilised fortunate man. His psychiatrist whom he is currently consulting once every 2 months at the moment has classified his patient as a low risk, to himself and others and wants to start him on the drug Valproate - apparently a relatively new mood stabilising drug.

There are so many different drugs to try and they are changing all the time. But no one has come up with a cure/treatment that doesn’t bring with both initial and long term use; its own batch of side effects. Please rest assured that the majority of suffers will NOT necessarily experience all of the above alarming list of symptoms at once, and I have painted the very worse scenario so that you can know what you’re dealing with here and what you’re up against. The ability to empower yourself with some indication of success – in what to do should you need help, or know someone close who would benefit from a mood stabilising prescription cannot be overestimated.

If this is the case, then I can only stress and repeat to you,

Please see your doctor and get a referral if you or someone you know suffers from at least 4 of the above listed symptoms. With any luck it wont be bipolar but if it is there is someone and somewhere to turn to and at least you’ll know.

Visit us or share your opinions at the worlds best homepage or free content resource Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell

Manic-Depression and How To Beat It

By Solomon Waters

I started to have problems when in my teens, feeling upset about growing up without a father. I self-harmed, then attempted suicide when 16. After getting in trouble with the police at 16, I was isolated and felt my life to be futile. Although I was seeing a psychiatrist, he stopped the treatment, and feeling betrayed as well as cut off from my old friends and family, aged 18, I stood in front of a fast train.

However, when I saw the driver’s screaming face as the train neared me, I changed my mind and moved to the side, as I did not want to cause him trauma. The train, however, struck me and hurled me through the air and I landed on the platform. My pelvis was badly fractured and I had received substantial injuries but after extensive emergency surgery, I survived.

A slow and painful recovery lay ahead, with hope but also setbacks, until I finally left hospital after extensive reconstructive surgery. When I left, I soon decided a change of place might do me good and went to Devon to live and work in a cultural centre. Whilst there, I had problems with the people there, who it turned out were something of a cult, and they called the police to have me removed. I was placed in a psychiatric hospital but my brothers rescued me and brought me back to London.

However, I was homeless and suffering the stress of isolation, despite my brother having allowed me to stay with him. One night, I was admitted to hospital and whilst there, a doctor told me I was manic-depressive. I thought this to be false and hated the idea. When I was prescribed Lithium, mood stabilisers and anti-depressants, I refused them and was sectioned under The Mental Health Act.

Finally, I was discharged from the unit and vowed to stop taking the medication, which was destroying my future as a writer by preventing me from reading and writing, due to making my eyes water continuously. This I did, with the support of all my friends and family. Even though it was a rollercoaster—I went up and down whilst trying to come off the stuff—I did it and eventually even told my psychiatrist. As I told him I would fight him every inch of the way if he sectioned me or tried to force me to take the drugs, he let things stand.

I moved from a halfway house to a privately rented room in a house and started going to a weekly meditation group that helped a lot. I read self-help books and developed self-esteem, published poems and began to write my memoir. I trained as a therapist finally, in order to give back and help others; I am now a master of hypnotherapy, Time Line Therapy® and NLP.

In the year 2000, I was advised by several people to try Eat Right For Your Blood Type to help alleviate a stomach problem I had been having. I found out I was blood type O and a non-secretor, and that Type O non-secretors have a high risk factor for developing manic depression. Although, highly sceptical at first, my symptoms were so severe, I was willing to give anything a try.

I began a diet and lifestyle plan for my specific blood type and am on it to this day. I was brought up as a vegetarian but the advice for type O is to eat a high protein diet and I do, with spectacularly good results. Having spent the last seven years researching more about the link between our genetics, our blood type and health conditions, I am 100% convinced of it’s scientific validity and importance.

I eat a diet that minimises my risk of having dopamine dips or spikes and thus my moods are very stable and even my friends who have been sceptical have now started following the plan, with the same excellent results. I have also noted the correlation between the health conditions many thousands of people I meet have and their blood types and find that the accuracy of the complete blood type literature by Doctor Peter J. D’Adamo (Eat Right For Your Type, Live Right For Your Type, Cook Right For Your Type and The Complete Blood Type Encyclopaedia) is proven to my satisfaction every single time.

My conclusion is that manic-depression was falsely applied to me and that labelling someone is never a useful exercise; neither is medicating without fully exploring other options. Had I been offered the blood type literature from the start of my problems, I am certain all of them would have been helped dramatically, if not averted entirely. Diet plays a key role in mental illness yet how often do psychiatrists or medical doctors even ask or advise about someone’s diet?

The idea of people being different and thus needing different diets may be easy to dismiss by those who have not the scientific-minded curiosity to read the literature by Dr D’Adamo, and nevertheless, we are different and some swear by vegetarianism whereas others swear by meat being healthy, yet both are right, depending on your blood type.

I hope this article sparks debate and interest on the difficulties those diagnosed with manic depression face and provide hope to those open enough to try the diet.

I am Solomon Blue Waters and am a writer, having completed a compelling memoir recently, called Off The Rails. I write a daily blog at http://countdowntopublication.blogspot.com I am also both a master practitioner of hypnotherapy and NLP. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Solomon_Waters

Herbs and Manic Depression

By John Gibb

Before we can get into herbs that might benefit those with Manic Depression, we should discuss what Manic Depression is. Manic Depression is marked by mood swings that can go from mild and calm to excited - highly irritable. These cycles can last for days or weeks. In some cases, these cycles can occur multiple times in a day.

Standard Treatments

Manic Depression is a serious form of Depression requiring more intensive treatments. Standard treatments typically include psychotherapy (talk therapy) combined with one or more antidepressant medications. In some serious cases hospitalization might be necessary to stabilize your moods.

Anti-depressants fall into four classes and each class works in a different way on the chemicals in the brain that control mood. The levels of two neurotransmitters - Serotonin and Norepinephrine are affected. Anti-Depressants have some serious side effects that could put you in a risky situation.

Booster Drugs are used to increase the effectiveness of the primary drug. One such drug is Ritalin. This works about 50% of the time. They are still used and with new drugs coming out all the time the effectiveness could increase.

Herbs

Herbs have been used in rituals and healing practices by ancient tribes and Shaman. They were brewed, used to flavor foods, burned (as in incense), and in moist packs applied to injuries called poultices. With the development of western medicine natural remedies were left aside.

Due to the fact that anti-depressant medications have such serious side effects, many people are looking to return to natural remedies whenever possible. Natural/herbal remedies are safe and they are effective. They have been known to help those with Manic Depression but still more studies need to be done to confirm that.

Some herbs used in supplements to treat any form of Depression include Green Tea which is an anti-oxidant and is known to boost general metabolism and mood. It can also be used for stomach problems.

Valerian is known as a sleep aid. It can be used in smoking cessation. Valerian also is known to have anti-anxiety properties.

The highest quality herbal supplements should have gone through very extensive testing. The metabolic pathway of the ingredients is studied at the molecular level. The interaction of the ingredients should be studied as well. When the supplements are manufactured they should be made according to pharmaceutical grade standards.

This helps to ensure you are getting exactly what the label says you are getting, their efficacy, potency, and safety. You can check with your pharmacist or the manufacturer for this information.

Conclusion

Manic Depression is one of the more serious forms of Depression. Standard treatments include anti-depressants, psychotherapy, and the possible use of Booster drugs. Herbal usage is becoming popular again and can be effective in treating Manic Depression but studies, as was said, need to be done to confirm the effectiveness of herbal supplements.

We have found a pure natural depression supplement that can also help with anxiety and overall general well being. To learn more about the product we use with excellent health results, especially when it comes to improving anxiety and depression, be sure to check out - http://www.depression-product-selection.com John Gibb is the manager and owner of various health websites. His latest addition is Natural Depression Alleviation Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Gibb

Taking Manic Depression Seriously

By Barry McDonald

Manic depression or Bipolar depression is actually considered as one of the worst type of depression that people usually suffer from.

Characterized by sudden and extreme changes in their mood, Manic depression is said to be called as such because manic = mania refers to the 'ups' while depression refers to the 'downs'.

A lot of people actually experience erratic changes in their moods, some times, these so-called mood swings may not just be caused by PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) or stress. Doctors actually have diagnosed mood swings as a common symptom of depression.

But when these so-called mood swings have gone to utmost absurdity, from getting irked even by the littlest or simplest of thins like not getting your favorite ice cream flavor, this may not be just a sign of brattiness, but when getting irked means you'll cuss and swear on the ice cream vendor and throw absurd tantrums, this may already be the start of Manic depression.The so-called 'manic' or 'ups' in Manic depression is described as to be the times when a person suffering from Manic depression may experience overly high periods, consisting of heightened energy, a sudden outburst of euphoric mood, extreme irritability, thoughts racing as well as aggressive behavior.

According to therapists, someone suffering from Manic depression may have these so-called manic 'periods' wherein sudden outbursts of euphoric and elevated mood swings may actually go through this for as long as not just a day, in can actually go on for as long as one week, even longer than that.

When it comes to the so-called 'low' or 'down' periods, as its name suggests can actually bring someone who is suffering from Manic depression may experience very similar symptoms to those who are suffering from actual depression. People who are suffering from Manic depression may actually experience episodes showing a depressed state of mind - a feeling of worthlessness and being unloved may start to corrupt the individual's mind. Various symptoms, showing guilt, extreme sadness, anxiety attacks, feeling of not belonging, extreme pessimism and obvious loss for pleasure. According to therapists, an individual who is depressed. consistently for more than a week can officially be diagnosed as someone who is suffering from Manic depression.

In spite of being one of the most common, yet severe type of depressive disorder, Manic depression, according to doctors can actually be treated. There's no reason to worry too much about it, just follow the proper procedures that the therapist will instruct you to do, take the proper prescribed medications as well as the proper dosage in order to help you (or your friend or love one) overcome Manic depression before it becomes too late. Also, individuals who are suffering from Manic depression should always be able to see their therapists on a regular basis so as to be able to release their pent up emotions to some one who can interpret and understand what they're going to a lot better as compared to "normal" people.

Although positive results for a Manic depressive patient can still be achieved from natural alternatives, a proper and a more lasting relief from Manic depressive symptoms can still be best acquired through seeing cognitive behavior therapists. Contrary to some beliefs, when it comes to psychiatric treatments, psychiatrists, preferably cognitive behavior therapists are still the best ones to consult for Manic depression, as well as the ones who'll most probably be able to cure Manic depression.

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Understanding Manic Depression

By Juliann Longden

Manic depression is a type of depression where the person suffering from the ailment suffers from extreme lows as well as extreme highs. When someone who is manic feels low, they feel incredibly depressed. Many times they get so depressed that they feel suicidal.

Either before or after the depression, these people feel a euphoric high. They feel full of energy, like they can do no wrong. Sometimes they'll go days without sleeping and take on tons of new projects that they couldn't possibly finish. This type of depression is like being on a rollercoaster. One minute you're on top of the world and the next minute you're on the bottom. This mental illness is frequently referred to as bi-polar disorder.

Manic depressive illness can start at any age, though it tends to start when a person is a young adult or in their early 20s. It does not discriminate against race or gender. It effects men and women, black people and white people and everyone in between. You're more likely to suffer from it if someone in your family also suffers from the illness.

How Do I Know if I Have It?

The only real way to know if you have manic depressive illness is by going to a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists will ask you a series of questions to determine if you're manic depressive. They will ask you about your moods. As mentioned earlier, extreme changes in a person's moods are indicative of this illness. Now, if you've have a bad day so you feel blue, but the next day you get a promotion and you feel elated, you probably don't have it. That's a very normal way to react to such situations. However, if you're moods are extreme for more than a week, you might be manic.

Friends and family are good at determining when the ones they love aren't acting "normally." So, if several of them start approaching you about your extreme mood swings, you might want to see a doctor.

Getting Help

Manic depressive illness is difficult to treat. There are dozens of different medications and psychological treatment options, but doctors never know which medication will be the perfect fit for each patient. However, doctors who are trained to work with this illness are very good at helping their patients find the right medication.

Depression Information is the premier depression website. We cover all depressions ranging from childhood depression to depression quiz. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juliann_Longden

What is Manic Depression?

By Matt OConnor

Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is a kind of mental or mood disorder that is characterized by an extreme shift of one's mood in a period of time. The shift of mood can be from an overly low feeling or depression into extremely high emotion. The change from mania to depression or depression to mania is called an episode.

Episodes of depression or mania vary from person to person. One episode can last for a few days to several weeks or months before changing into another emotion. Sometimes the emotional transition doesn't immediately follow after an episode (depression or manic); sometimes, transition can happen after a few weeks, months or years.

There are people who can experience predictable emotional patterns; and likewise there are some who do not.

A study made in 1973 revealed that among 400 patients observed with manic-depressive episodes, only 2 did not experience recurrence. Meanwhile, some studies revealed that Lithium reduced the risk of recurrence by about 75 percent.

In general, a person can recover from bipolar disorder without undergoing treatment; however, a person can recover more quickly if treatment is given.

There are 4 types of bipolar disorder according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). Each has its own characteristics and each is used to diagnose the level of damage that the illness inflicts to the person as well as the kind of treatment to be applied:

1) Bipolar I – requires the person to experience at least one or more mixed or manic episodes. The Bipolar I patient is not necessarily depressed, although, many who are diagnosed with this category suffer from depression as well.
2) Bipolar II – is characterized by one or more episodes of severe depression and hypomania. Hypomania's presence is merely to establish the bipolar condition from unipolar depression. (There are criteria to determine if the person is experiencing hypomania.)
3) Cyclothymia – To determine if the patient is suffering from this kind of depression, he or she must have several episodes of hypomamia, combined with several episodes of depression (without reaching the full criteria of clinical depression).
4) Bipolar Disorder NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) – The patient should not fall on any of the 3 criteria given above but still showing some signs of bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of depression include severe sadness that results in crying and tearfulness, isolation and boredom, sensitivity to negative feedback and rejection, lack of concentration, anger and irritability. They may also experience pessimism and hopelessness, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, physical pain such as headaches, back pain, muscle and joint pains, problems with the digestive system and lethargy, restlessness, a lack of self-confidence that could be the cause of low self-esteem and thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of mania include excessive anger over simple things, quick thinking and association of things that may or may not be related to one another which can lead to poor judgment. A significant change in physical energy, extreme irritability, change of mood from normal to extreme, overreacting to stimuli, and high levels of mania (including aggression, hostility, irritability, sexual drive, paranoia, volatility, and psychosis),

There is no particular cure for bipolar disorder that is why it is so important to know its types and symptoms because armed with that knowledge, it can be managed properly. The emphasis however is to treat the emerging symptoms and prevent the further damage through psychotherapeutic and pharmacological techniques.

The author of this article, Matthew OConnor runs a site dedicated to the latest news and developments in depression treatments, particularly dealing with the crucial question what is manic depression?. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matt_OConnor

Manic Depression Symptoms

By Henry Anderson

Manic depression or as it is also known Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that causes the sufferer to have rapid shifts in mood of such a magnitude to affect an individuals normal functioning.

The symptoms of manic depression are quite wide ranging. They normally include large mood swings, ranging from an extreme high, occasionally with irritability, to an extremely low and hopeless mood and back again. In between these two poles of mood are periods of normal mood. {As a ratio, the low and depressive mood is most common at a ratio of 3 to 1 manic, or high, mood.

Manic Depression Symptoms - Manic Episode

When a person has symptoms of manic depression and they experience "mania" it is known as a manic episode.

A manic episode is usually characterized by these manic depression symptoms:

* An extreme increase of energy, increased participation in physical and mental activities or restlessness

* An extreme high or euphoria and an overly good mood.

* Heightened irritability

* Fast talking and occasionally jumping from on topic to the next as a result of ideas and thoughts racing through the individuals mind

* A reduction in concentration levels and being distracted very easily

* Not needing a lot of sleep

* Egomania and a belief in one's abilities and powers regardless of how unrealistic they may be.

* A lack of good judgment

* Spending money regardless of whether it is available to spend or not

* The abnormal behavior lasts for a long period of time

* An increase in sexual drive

* Abusing drugs, in particular alcohol, cocaine and medications to aid sleep

* Aggressive, invasive or confrontational behavior

* Denying that there is something wrong

The diagnosis of a manic episode mostly occurs in an individual when there are three or more manic depression symptoms and they are accompanied by an elevated mood. Then again, if the mood is primarily characterized by high irritability then it must be accompanied by another four symptoms. In either case, the manic depression symptoms must be noticeable for most of the day, nearly every day for at least a week.

Manic Depression Symptoms - Depressive Episode

During a depressive episode, the manic depression symptoms may include:

* Relentlessly feeling sad or empty

* High levels of anxiety

* Feeling hopeless/pessimistic, Dwelling on negative thoughts

* Feeling guilty/worthless

* A lack of motivation and/or energy and feeling like there is nothing worth making an effort for

* No interest in activities usually found pleasurable

* Low or no energy

* Feeling like you are being slowed down or fatigued

* A loss of memory and trouble concentrating on one thing at a time

* Can't make decisions

Annoyance, rage or petulance

* Having not enough or too much sleep

* Appetite change and/or weight loss/gain without any explanation

* Physical symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury, such as aches and pains

* Suicidal or death related thoughts, possible suicide attempts

A person in a depressive episode who is suffering with manic depression symptoms needs all the help they can get. Throughout the depressive episode, there is a greater possibility of suicide and it is strongly advised that professional help is found as soon as a person starts talking about suicide.

Clinical Depression Treatment is you free resource for manic depression and depression related information. Visit Clinical Depression Treatment to find out more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Henry_Anderson

Symptoms Of Manic Depression

By Martin Glassen

Awareness of the symptoms of manic depression is important, although manic depression or bipolar depression, as it is often referred to, is not very common. It affects approximately 5.7 million Americans.

Symptoms of manic depression are as follows:

Swings in mood: Depending on the severity of the case, these can sometimes be quite rapid. Switching from depression to manic elation puts a person into an emotional roller coaster that can be confusing and even frightening.

When depressed: all the symptoms of clinical depression are present. Lack of interest in things that we used to enjoy, a profound feeling of sadness and disturbances of sleep patterns are just a few symptoms of depression. Sometimes the symptoms of mani depression becomes so intense that thoughts of suicide are very prevalent.

On the other hand when manic episodes occur, other symptoms manifest themselves. Extremely rapid speech can be apparent, irritability, and sometimes, false feelings of grandeur about themselves. There is an increase in energy and a decrease in the ability to sleep. The mood is euphoric and ideas are racing at an uncontrollable pace.

Bipolar or manic depression is treatable. Mood stabilizers are given and even anticonvulsive medications have proven to be helpful. Once moods are stabilized it is easier for the person to take back their life and get things under control again. Although it is not curable as yet at least treatment can decrease symptoms and allow patients to lead a normal life.

This form of depression can start in late adolescence to early adulthood. Sometimes it is not recognized at first and a person can suffer for a longer period without being treated. It is a lifetime illness that needs treatment for a person's whole life.

Symptoms can be accompanied by hallucinations, seeing and hearing things that are not there. These hallucinations are related to the manic or depressive mood the person is experiencing at this time. For instance in a manic mood a person can think they are a king or intensely rich person, with lots of influence. Whereas when they are depressed a person can feel worthless, penniless and even suicidal. It is not uncommon for people experiencing manic depression moods to go on uncontrolled shopping sprees.

To read more about the symptoms of depression and to find an effective natural depression remedy visit http://www.fightingdepression.net Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Glassen

What is Manic Depression?

By Kitty Barker

Manic depression is that state of depression in which the patient suffers from mood swings which go between extreme elation and depression. So while one minute the patient may feel on top of the world the other minute there will be feelings of despair and helplessness. Although there are many factors that cause this kind of depression genetic reasons are the most prominent ones. This means that two thirds of the people suffering from manic depression have someone in their family also suffering from the same. It is not only the moods of the person that get affected by this but there are also physiological changes, there will be heightened activity at some time, sleeplessness at another and it also impacts once social rhythms and thinking abilities.

Varying forms of Manic Depression

Bipolar Depression

There are varying degrees of manic depression which means in some cases the ratio of a person being depressed may be 3:1 while in other cases it could be as great as 37:1. What this means is that a person who has a ration of 3:1 will spend three times as much time depressed than elated. Researchers are also if the opinion that the condition of depression that the patients of Manic depression feel is quite more than that of normal depression and indeed the chances of a person committing suicide is twice as much as someone who is suffering from only depression or unipolar depression as it is called.

Mixed Mania

Manic depression is also known to manifest itself in a Mixed state, this means that the people suffering from it will experience mania and depression at the same time. So they may experience agitation, anxiety, fatigue, guilt, impulsiveness, insomnia, irritability, morbid and/or suicidal ideation, panic, paranoia, pressured speech and rage all at the same time. A typical example would be someone tearful or even crying even when seemingly appearing very cheerful or excited. Such states are the most dangerous and are prone to induce the maximum chances of drug abuse and even suicides.

Rapid and utltradian cycles

Rapid cycling means that the individual tends to swing between one mood and the other quite frequently so while you may find them to be in a euphoric state at 10 in the morning as if the world belonged to them you can see them at 11 and feel that they are the most helpless people in this world, although such type of hour cycling is not known to afflict a lot of people there are fairly large number of cases who have greater cycles of a day or a month.

Famous people having manic depression

Although manic depression is a mental disorder and one must take all steps to ensure that one is treated of this condition there are several famous people who have had this kind of illness. And at the same time these people also attribute the reason for their creativity to having some sort of mania which helped them in the creative work they did. Indeed this is not to mean that you should not get yourself treated. If you were suffering from this disorder as it is a dangerous situation and many people like Kurt Cobain who was the lead singer of the rock band Nirvana have ended up committing suicide because they could not control it.

While most such celebrities have had turbulent life they were able to control it and live a more or less normal life. It would surprise most to know that it is thought that a large number of artists, writers and other celebrities like Vincent Van Gogh, Mark Twain, Axl Rose of Guns n Roses, Ozzy Ozbourne, Edgar Allen Poe, Isaac Newton, Florence Nightingale, Jimmi Hendrix, Ralph Waldo Emerson and even Winston Churchill were suffering from it.

In the end with proper treatment this illness can be controlled and taken care of and the list of successful people who have gone through their lives with this disorder should give the patients comfort that not only are they alone, people suffering from similar disease have lived happy and successful lives as well.

Author: Kitty Barker - Kitty often writes for and with Depression-Assistance. You can also see more information on this subject at Manic Depression - should this link be inactive, you can paste this link to your browser - manic-depression-assistance.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kitty_Barker

Manic Depression Revealed

By Chris Glasspool

Bipolar Disorder also known as manic depression is a disorder that falls into the family of depression or mood disorders. Mood disorders effect how a person feels and is totally different to a disorder such as schizophrenia that make it hard for a person to distinguish whats real from what isn't.

Mental disorders or illnesses are not the type of problems that a person can easily overcome, they are not something that they asked for. They can't be overcome by willpower because they are problems that effect the brain. With proper treatment a person suffering with a mental illness such as manic depression can learn to control their symptoms and regain their quality of life.

Manic depression is an illness or disorder that affects a persons mood, one moment they can have a greatly elevated mood ('Manic') followed by a period of feeling low ('Depression'). Its perfectly normal for someone to have high and low moods but someone suffering from manic depression experiences greatly exaggerated highs and lows. Because manic depression is a chronic condition these episodes may come and go but they never truly go away untreated.

Someone in a manic phase of their depression may have a very high self-esteem, they may take risks that they would not normally take such as abusing drugs and alcohol or driving in a reckless manner. They may spend money in a way they wouldn't usually and its not uncommon for them to have a higher than usual sex drive. Manic depression may also make someone suffer from sleep deprivation making them seem angry or irritable, this is due to them having an increased energy level making them feel high.

A person in the depressive stage of their illness is vastly different from the manic stage in that they suffer from feelings of hopelessness, guilt or even wanting to die. A change in appetite, a decrease in energy and an increase in the ability to make decisions can occur. Stomach aches and headaches is also a common part of the depressive state of Manic Depression.

In the United States more that 15% of all illnesses are mental illnesses. This equates to more that all forms of cancer or problems associated with drug and alcohol addiction. If you know of someone that has been diagnosed with manic depression then they are in good company. It is estimated that around two to 4 percent of the worlds population of 222 million suffer from some form of manic depression.

Treatment of manic depression.

Its not common knowledge but there is no cure for manic depression, but the symptoms can be treated and controlled by the use of medication. Acute symptoms caused by severe episodes of mania or depression are treated with some specific medication whilst other medication is used to prevent future episodes from occurring. These types of medications are referred to as 'maintanance threrapy'.

In addition to medication, people with manic depression can benefit from psychotherapy as part of their treatment process. The therapy process is good because it can make someone come to terms with their illness and see exactly what it means for them. Because of this, someone can better understand how their illness or disorder effects their relationships with their family and friends.

If the person undergoing treatment is having a depressive episode the therapy may help them to adopt some thought processes that are positive instead of the negative ones that they have that make them depressed. They may be able to recognise when a manic or depressive episode is starting and seek out the appropriate help quickly. If other family members attend the therapy too they will better understand the disorder and may too be able to help in the future.

Manic depression is a chronic but treatable mental illness. Getting proper treatment is key to having a good quality of life.

This article was composed by Chris Glasspool of http://www.depression-revealed.com the number one resource for depression related information. Please feel free to distribute this article. The only condition is that this paragraph remains intact. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Glasspool

Manic Depression

By Scott Wardell

According to The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology: "Bipolar disorder used to be known as manic depressive disorder. It's a serious illness, one that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and careers, even suicidal tendencies -- if it's not treated".

Bipolar disorder involves extreme changes in moods; also known as poles. These mood changes or swing range from mania behavior (highs) to depression (lows). In between these mood swings, an individual with Bipolar disorder may experience a normal mood. The Cleveland Clinic of Psychiatry describes manic behavior as "an increasingly restless, energetic, talkative, reckless, powerful, euphoric period. Lavish spending sprees or impulsive risky sex can occur. Then, at some point, this high-flying mood can spiral into something darker -- irritation, confusion, anger, feeling trapped."

"Depression" is an opposite mood or behavior that is characterized by feelings of sadness, crying, sense of worthlessness, loss of energy, loss of pleasure and sleep problems. Pattern of highs and lows vary from person to person. This is why Bipolar disorder is often a complex disease to diagnose. For some, mania or depression can last for weeks or months or even years. For others, bipolar disorder occurs frequently and with dramatic mood changes.

Causes of Depression

The causes of depression are many. Depression is a complex disease that can occur as a result of a multitude of factors. For some, depression occurs due to a loss of a loved one, a change in one's life, or after being diagnosed with a serious medical disease. For others, depression just happened, possibly due to their family history. Factors involved in causing depression, include: A history of depression in the family: It is believed that depression is passed genetically from generation to generation, although the exact way this occurs is not known. Grief from the death or loss of a loved one. Personal disputes, like conflict with a family member. Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Major events that occur in everyone's lives, such as moving, graduating, changing jobs, getting married or divorced, retiring, etc. Serious illness: depressed feelings are a common reaction to many medical illnesses. Certain medications Substance abuse: close to 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major depression. Other personal problems: these may come in the forms of social isolation due to other mental illnesses, or being cast out of a family or social circle.

The Body vs. The Mind

Medical research indicates that people suffering from depression have changes in their brain compared to people who do not depressed. The hippocampus, a small part of the brain that is vital to the storage of memories, is smaller in people with a history of depression than in those who are not depressed. Serotonin, a body chemical, has been found to have a lower receptor rate that is controlled by the hippocampus portion of the brain. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter and chemical messenger that allows communication between nerves in the brain and the body has been a leading factor and natural body chemical discussed by medical doctors who treat depression. As of today, scientists don't know why the hippocampus is smaller in individuals diagnosed with depression. Researchers have found that cortisol (a stress hormone that is important to the normal function of the hippocampus) is produced in excess in individuals diagnosed with depression. Cortisol has been found to have a toxic or poisonous effect on the hippocampus.

Some doctors believe it's possible that some depressed people are born with a smaller hippocampus that leads to a greater possibility of developing depression. Depression is complex. It is an illness with many contributing factors. As doctors reach a better understanding of the causes of this illness they will be able to make better diagnoses and which will lead to more successful prescribed effective treatments.

Genetics and Depression

There is evidence that suggests a genetic link to depression. Children, siblings and parents of people with severe depression are much more likely to suffer from depression than are members of the general population. Multiple genes interacting with one another in special ways probably contribute to the types of depression that runs in families. Scientists have not been able to identify a "depression" gene. Information for this article was obtained from: The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.

IF YOUR ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, A DESIRE TO HURT YOURSELF, CALL 911 OR SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.

Scott Wardell is a school counselor and created ScottCounseling.com to provide parents with 100's of free parenting articles to assist parents with their parenting skills. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Wardell

Manic Depression

By David McEvoy

Manic depression, also known as Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme fluctuations in mood ranging from periods of intense "highs" or mania to periods of severe depression or "lows", however, in reality it is much more complex than that as there is no clear pattern and some can even experience mixed state bipolar, with a combination of both mania and depression.

There is also no known single cause of Bipolar and no way of predicting who will develop it although it does appear to be a tendency for it to run in families suggesting that genetics play a part. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Bipolar affects around one in one hundred adults, although it is possible that these figures are on the low side as it is believed that many people with Bipolar will not seek help due to denial, misunderstanding and lack of knowledge surrounding the condition. It affects both men and women equally and usually begins in early adulthood but the way it manifests itself is anything but consistent. Episodes can be triggered by stressful events and physical illness or even nothing at all. So how do you know if you have Bipolar disorder?

Symptoms of a manic episode include:

A manic episode can be diagnosed if at least 3 of the symptoms occur along with an elevated mood for most of the time for at least a week. If the overall mood is one of irritability then another 4 symptoms must be present.

• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking quickly, jumping from one idea to another
• Distractibility, lack off concentration
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behaviour that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behaviour
• Denial that anything is wrong

Symptoms of a depressive episode include:

A depressive episode can be diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms are present for most of the time for a period of at least 2 weeks.

• feeling sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
• Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
• Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

The gaps in between a high and a low episode can vary significantly with each individual. Some people will experience rapid shifts between moods and others will change more slowly over a period of time. Conventional treatment usually consists of some form of mood stabilising medication to reduce the severity and duration of the episodes, for example, Lithium is the most commonly used. Achieving the correct dosage is crucial as high levels of Lithium can be toxic so this will be carefully evaluated and monitored by a GP or health professional. However, it doesn't always prove to be effective and isn't suitable for everyone. The side effects can be difficult to cope with for some people and include, thirst, nausea, weight gain, anxiety, shakes, dry mouth, disturbed sleep, hair loss, and sexual dysfunction.

Types of Bipolar

Bipolar has been classified into types Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, Rapid Cycling and Cyclothymia.

Bipolar 1

The classic symptoms of Bipolar 1 involve recurrent manic and depressive episodes with either stable periods in between or going directly from a depressive episode into a manic phase or vice versa. Periods of depression vary from individual to individual and can last for only a short time or for months.

Bipolar 11

This type of Bipolar presents with only mild or perhaps even no manic periods at all but more depressive episodes than periods of mania. This type is more common in women.

Rapid Cycling

Bipolar is classified as rapid cycling type if the person experience more than 4 manic or depressive episodes or fluctuations between both within the space of a year.

Cyclothymia

A less severe form of mood swings but they often persist for longer than those with other types of Bipolar.

Conclusion

Bipolar disorder can be distressing for both the sufferer and the family and friends closest to them. Neither they nor the person with Bipolar can know when an episode of depression or mania is likely to occur or how long it will last. Relationships, occupation and finances can all suffer leading to more stress and worry and a worsening of the symptoms. Apart from seeking professional help and finding out as much as you can about the condition, it is advisable for both the sufferer and their loved ones to learn how to recognise the warning signs and triggers that can precipitate a manic or depressive episode so appropriate action can be taken to minimise any negative effects.

Depression is a serious condition that can strike anyone at anytime. For more information about the symptoms of depression and self help come and visit fighting depression Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_McEvoy

Manic Depression

By Robert Kokoska

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.

Are you sick and tired of feeling depressed? Elevate your mood and self-esteem naturally with MindSoothe Depression Capsules Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Kokoska

Manic Depression

By Milos Pesic

Have you encountered a person undergoing extreme mood swings, or sudden behavioral changes? The person is suffering from bipolar disorder or manic depression. These sudden mood swings can last for hours, days, weeks or even months. Bipolar disorder or manic depression results in quite distinct mood fluctuations that, once traced and analyzed, can be anticipated.

You are in depression when you deviate yourself from your normal activities. Your zest for life gets a backseat because of depression. There is a tendency to isolate oneself from the external environment and develop this strange behavior, which highlights your lack of confidence. Always remember that when you are in depression, others are also affected by the rough patches in your life.

Bipolar disorder or manic depression is not restricted to any particular age group. Though bipolar disorders usually start during late adolescence or early adulthood, they can also affect children or elderly people. This form of manic depression is not restricted to a particular sex, i.e. male or female, or to a particular race or class. It must be however notified, that manifestations of bipolar disorder or manic depression is different in men and women.

Once diagnosed, bipolar disorder or manic depression can be treated under proper medication and consultation with medical experts. Usually, bipolar disorder or manic depression is associated with certain general types of mood swings, namely, hypomanic episode, a major depressive episode, and a mixed episode.

Bipolar disorders or manic depression can be either categorized under Bipolar I disorder or Bipolar II disorder. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by elevated moods for at least a week, talkativeness, decreased need of sleep, flight of ideas, and so on. Bipolar II category, on the other hand, is characterized by depressive mood behavior with at least one hypomanic episode. The second disorder seriously hampers the social life of the patient because of erratic mood changes.

Bipolar disorders or manic depression are usually indescribable and are no instant cure for the illness. Such forms of depression can go on for hours, weeks or months if left untreated. It is always advisable to consult the doctor immediately if sudden changes in mood occur. Bipolar disorders or manic depression can always be treated with proper medications and therapy. But never leave it untreated because it worsens a person’s mental and physical condition to a great extent.

Always remember, more than doctors, it is the family and friends of the patient who help him or her in overcoming the problem. Always encourage him or her to seek the help and care of a psychiatrist immediately

Milos Pesic is a successful webmaster and owner of Overcome Depression Blog. Visit now to find out all you wanted to know about depression and simple ways to overcome it. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milos_Pesic

Manic Depression or Bipolar Illness—How Does It Differ From Depression?

By A. Green

What is the difference between manic depression and bipolar? The two are the same illness; however, the term bipolar is used more frequently. This is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in energy, mood, and ability to function.

What is the difference in depression and bipolar? A person in the grip of a major depressive episode needs an antidepressant, whereas a person suffering with manic-depressive symptoms requires a mood stabilizer such as lithium or valproic acid.

In asking what is the difference between manic depression and bipolar, it can be seen that while these are one and the same illness, classifications of the illness do exist. For example, categories include bipolar I, II, and cyclothymic disorder.

In actuality, what is the difference in depression and bipolar? It can be seen that while a depressed person suffers with depressive symptoms, someone with manic-depressive illness experiences periods of elevated mood or mania—when he or she feels on top of the world.

In most cases of manic-depressive illness, however, the low moods outnumber manic states. Symptoms are unpredictable and can be severe and prolonged, or mild and of short duration. In evaluating what is the difference between manic depression and bipolar, differences can be seen in how the condition is experienced by those struggling to live with it.

A person suffering from a depressive disorder may feel that it is impossible to come out from under a dark cloud of despair. We could say that this defines what is the difference in depression and bipolar. Conversely, the person who experiences cyclothymic or manic symptoms feels unusually optimistic and full of hope.

If we were to try to pin down exactly what is the difference between manic depression and bipolar, it might be helpful to examine the different manifestations of the illness.

In the first classification (I), the person has experienced at least one manic episode, which may or may not include depressive symptoms; however, in most cases, manic periods will precede or follow depressive episodes in a regular cycles.

In the second classification (II), the illness is accompanied by predominantly depressive symptoms, relieved by occasional episodes of hypomania (elevated mood). Hypomania is typically milder and may not be as obvious as mania.

A third classification is cyclothymic disorder. This is not as severe as I or II but can be chronic. Hypomanic symptoms are often accompanied by or expressed as irritability.

Rapid cycling may also take place, where mood fluctuations swing back and forth a number of times in a year or even several times in a day. Treatment can be particularly challenging because of the cyclical pattern.

It can be seen that, when determining what is the difference in depression and bipolar symptoms, manic-depressive illness is accompanied by periods where a person feels unusually well and on top of things.

Scientific discoveries have revealed interesting facts about the brain and how deficiencies of certain nutrients toy with functioning. People with disturbances in neurotransmitters may have lower levels of omega 3 fatty acids; 5-HTP has been shown to have antidepressant effects in manic-depressive illness; in recent studies, low levels of folate were linked to mania; and mania and depression have been linked to B12 deficiencies.

Natural remedies work to restore neurotransmitter functioning by combining specific ingredients that target imbalances. When the brain is supplied with the neuronutrients it needs, it has the ability to heal itself.

In answering the question, what is the difference between manic depression and bipolar , it can be seen that the disorder manifests in differences in symptoms, which are signs that the brain is malfunctioning.

Gaining an understanding about depressive or manic-depressive symptoms can help when you are struggling to understand why you feel the way you do and when you are considering treatment strategies. It is always important to obtain advice from a qualified practitioner for treatment of either condition.

Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She has contributed to What Is The Difference In Depression And Bipolar, a section of http://www.beat-your-depression.com dedicated to natural treatments and prescription drug alternatives for this disorder. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Green