Symptoms of Manic Depression

Manic depression, otherwise known as bipolar disorder, is a mental illness characterized by mood swings. Although treatable, there is no cure for manic depression. Living with someone who suffers from this disorder can be quite challenging. Manic depression can affect all areas of a person's life, including relationships. But manic depression can be manageable with proper treatment, patience and understanding.

Features

Manic depression is most noted for the highs and lows of the characteristic mood swings. The periods of elation and depression can last for hours, days or even a couple of weeks. Symptoms of manic depression depend upon the phase of the condition, whether it be mania (high) or depression (low). The symptoms of mania may include increased energy, irritability, difficulty concentrating, impatience, poor judgment, racing thoughts, talking excessively, rapid speech, inflated sense of self-esteem and aggressive behavior.

Symptoms Of Bipolar Disease

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression. It's characterized by excessive mood swings that go from high to seriously manic or depressive. More than two million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder. While it's not curable, it is treatable with medication and psychotherapy.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

One of the most recognizable symptoms of bipolar disorder is the mood swings. Someone who is bipolar can go from having a very high level of energy, fantastic thoughts or ideas and impulsive or reckless behavior to being very depressed and sometimes suicidal in a matter of hours or days. However, substance abuse, poor performance in school and trouble at work are a few situations that can make bipolar disorder difficult to diagnose.

Symptoms of Mania

The symptoms of mania associated with bipolar disorder can sometimes last up to three months, if it isn't treated. According to Mental Health America, some of these symptoms include:

• Excessive energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid talking
• Denial that anything is wrong
• Extreme high or euphoric feelings (a person may feel on top of the world and nothing, including bad news or tragic events, can change this happiness)
• Easily irritated or distracted
• Decreased need for sleep--an individual may last for days with little or no sleep without feeling tired and unrealistic beliefs in one's ability and powers

More Symptoms of Mania

Other symptoms of the mania phase of bipolar disorder are:

• Uncharacteristically poor judgment when a person says or does things that don't match his personality quite right
• A long time acting or dressing differently

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Collecting things they don't normally or become obsessed about things like cleanliness

An unusual sex drive

Drug or alcohol abuse

Aggressive or paranoid behavior

Symptoms of Depression

The depressive side of bipolar disorder has many symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, they include:

• Sadness and Hopelessness
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior
• Anxiety and Irritability
• Sleep and appetite problems
• Fatigue and loss of interest in daily activities
• Problems concentrating
• Chronic pain without a known cause

Treatment

Treatment is essential in order for someone to recover from bipolar disorder, keep it under control and lead a normal life. Without a combination of medication, professional therapy and support from friends, family and coworkers, a person can't fully stabilize his emotions and behavior. Without all of these elements working together, the person will continue to be manic and depressive uncontrollably. Some of the most common medications used to treat bipolar disorder are lithium, olanzapene (Zyprexa), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and divalproex sodium (Depakote). Only a health care professional can properly diagnose and treat bipolar disorder.

What Is Manic Depression Anxiety?

Manic depression anxiety is a serious, long-term medical condition in which patients experience extreme emotional highs, called manic episodes, and extreme lows in the form of depression. Psychiatric professionals now commonly refer to the illness as bipolar disorder.

Impacted Population

The World Health Organization identifies bipolar disorder as the sixth-highest cause of disability among people ages 15 to 44. More than 5.7 million Americans suffer from its symptoms every year.

Mania Symptoms

While in the mania phase, a patient may exhibit some or all of these symptoms: increased talkativeness, no need for sleep or rest, high level of distraction or irritation, bad judgment, denial, high energy level and increased sexual desire, overriding euphoric feelings and a grander view of self.

Depression Symptoms

While in the depression phase, a patient may exhibit some or all of these symptoms: sadness or a sense of emptiness, loss of interest in previously engaging activities, uncontrollable crying, decreased energy, suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts, dramatic changes in weight or appetite, inability to make decisions, social withdrawal and restlessness.

How Anxiety Fits In

The type of anxiety that accompanies bipolar disorder can paralyze the affected patient. The person experiences the classic anxiety symptoms--such as persistent, uncontrolled tension--but is unable to overcome daily worries as others can.

Diagnosis

While online self-screening tests are a good place to start, the best way to determine if you or someone you love is suffering from manic depression anxiety is to seek the advice of a licensed psychiatrist.

Treatment

Treatment options are varied and can include medication, psychotherapy aimed at cognitively changing the patient's view of himself and his environment, and, in some extreme cases, electroconvulsive therapy. In developing a treatment plan, a psychiatric professional will consider a patient's age, overall health, attitude toward treatment and insurance coverage.

5 Steps to Tell if You Have Bipolar Disorder

Have you ever wondered if you have bipolar disorder, or have been told that you may have it? Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder affecting about 1-2% of the population, commonly manifested as elevated mood alternating with depressed mood. This article will help you determine whether you, or people you care about, meet the diagnostic criteria to have bipolar disorder.

1.Find out whether you have ever had a manic episode. 

A manic episode is a period of time over one week when you feel extremely elevated or irritable, during which you have at least three of the following (four if mood is only irritable):

• Distractibility (unimportant things can easily divert your attention)
• Indiscretion (impulsive pleasurable acts with painful consequences)
• Grandiosity (or inflated ego)

• Flight of ideas
• Activity increase toward goals
• Sleep deficits (less need for sleep)
• Talkativeness (or feels pressured to keep on talking)

2.The mnemonic for memorizing these manic criteria is "DIG FAST."
 A manic episode MUST significantly impair your daily functions. IF your symptoms do not cause marked impairment in daily functions, or if the symptoms last for less than a week, but more than 4 days, and still meet at least 3 of the 7 "DIGFAST" criteria, then it is called a hypomanic episode.

3. Find out whether you have ever had a major depressive episode. 

A major depressive episode is a period of time over 2 weeks when you feel sad or have lost interest or pleasure, during which you have five or more of the following:

    

• Sleep problems (can't sleep, wake up early, or sleep too much)
• Interest loss (nothing motivates you anymore)
• Guilt (excessive feeling of guilt or worthlessness)
• Energy decrease (feels tired everyday)
• Concentration lacking (easily distracted)
• Appetite changes (either not wanting to eat (more common) or eating more)
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation (moving faster or slower than usual)
• Suicidal thoughts (or feeling you are better off dead)

4.The mnemonic for memorizing these depression criteria is "SIG E CAPS." 
To qualify for a major depressive episode, these symptoms MUST significantly impair daily functions.

5.Determine whether you have Bipolar disorder based on whether or not you have had a manic episode or a major depressive episode, or both. If you have had a manic episode (with or without a depressive episode), then you may have Bipolar I Disorder. If you have had a hypomanic episode AND a major depressive episode (during separate occasions, of course), then you may have Bipolar II disorder.

Tips

• Remember, to have bipolar disorder, your symptoms must be severe enough to cause marked impairment in your daily function.
• If you are a heavy drinker or you use drugs, these can both cause mood swings with the appearance of bipolar disorder.So be sure whether you have bipolar, refrain from drug or alcohol use.