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Sunday, January 27, 2008

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

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