Manic Depression

MANIC DEPRESSION

Estimates say that about 2 and a half million Americans suffer from manic

depressive illness. Also called bipolar disorder, this mental illness involves episodes in

which a persons mood alternates between extreme mania and depression. A person may

experience pressure and racing thoughts and speech, and often uncontrolled reckless

behavior. Two thirds of those who suffer from bipolar illness have numerous episodes of

recurrences of alternating phases. Most people suffering from manic depressive illness

experience extreme cases of up and Dow emotion. Studies say manic depression is one of

the most understudied psychiatric illnesses.

Bipolar disorder is much less common than depression. atleast 8 percent of people

experience depression within their lives. bipolar disorder affects men and women almost

equally, and is most common amongst upper economic classes. 15 percent of people with

bipolar disorder commit suicide. research shows that highly creative people such as

artists, composers , writers, and poets, show usually high rates of bipolar disorder. Their

periods of mania is said to fuel their creativity.

Bipolar disorder usually begins in a persons late teens early twenties. Men usually

experience mania as the first mood episode, where as women usually experience

depression first. episodes of mania and depression usually last from several weeks to

several months. In most cases swings between mania and depression occur within days.

In other cases a person may experience major depression and minor mania. Mania and

depression may also follow patterns of seasons. Mania in the winter and fall and

depression in summer and spring. People suffering from bipolar disorder feel indifferent to

work and have no desire to do anything constructive. They think slow, concentrate

poorly, feel tired, and experience changes, usually an increase in appetite and sleep. They

often feel a sense of worthlessness and helplessness. In some cases a person may feel

pessimistic about the future and may attempt suicide. a patient may all experience

delusions and hallucinations. In the manic phase people feel intensely and inappropriately

happy, self important and irritable. During this state a person becomes highly energized

and sleeps less, talking in rapid fire speech often going off in all directions. They have

inflated confidence and unfounded self esteem. Mania makes a person abrasive, impatient,

frustrated, and even physically abusive. They behave in socially inappropriate ways, they

think irrationally, and show impaired judgment. Certain things may happen thats out of

their normal character like taking plane trips all over the country or making large

investments. Excessive gambling , buying very expensive items, abusing alcohol or drugs,

and making unwanted sexual advances.

Causes of manic depression seem to be rooted in the genes. Studies used on identical

twin show that if one twin has bipolar disorder its a 70% chance the other will have it too.

With fraternal twins its only a 15% chance that the other will have bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder seems to run in families. Personal or work related stress can trigger a

manic episode. Other factors such as prenatal development, childhood experiences, and

social conditions can play a huge role.

Some people enjoy the sensations and energies that accompany manic episodes. It is

proven that very mild cases of manic depression can actually attribute to success in

business and arts. A person may experience episodes of over confidence which may result

in unfortunate consequences because of a bad business venture. The milder, chronic form

of bipolar illness is called cyclothymic disorder. This form alternates between mild

depression and mild mania. When someone is in the in the stage of a euphoric episode,

their behavior may seem a bit odd, or in some cases completely bizarre. They may become

involved in such goal-oriented activities such as sex,work, school, or social relations. The

person may also get involved in unprotected or indiscreet sexual situations.