What is Manic Depression?
Manic Depression, an older term for Type I Bipolar Disorder, refers to a common and typically misunderstood mental illness which symptoms are abnormally high emotional swings of Mania and abnormally low ones of Depression. This brain disorder is now called Bipolar because of the drastic change between totally opposite poles of feeling and action.
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Victims of Manic Depression experience episodes of intense emotions which affect how they feel, think and act towards themselves and other people. Type I Bipolar Disorder can be rapid cycling and cause a mixed state where people experience both Mania and Depression within a short time period, even the same day.
Depressive Attacks
Despite how the term itself sounds, victims of Manic Depression (Bi-Polar I) don't necessarily experience worse episodes of Depression than people who are Clinically Depressed. However, this mental health Disorder cannot exist without attacks of Depression that usually show up in one or more of the following forms:
- Getting upset for no apparent reason
- Having anxiety
- Experiencing little energy or motivation
- Noticing less interest in activities that were once enjoyable
- Feeling lonely, worthless or both
- Change in eating habits, overeating or eating very little
- Feeling sadness or unhappiness for an uninterrupted period of at least two weeks
- Thinking and daydreaming about or making plans for suicide
- Exhibiting behavior or making life decisions that seem to isolate from friends and/or loved ones
If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255, and is available 24/7
Manic Attacks
The second side of the coin is mania, the symptom that distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from Clinical Depression.
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Symptoms of Manic Episodes might include:
- Making poor decisions in areas such as friendships and money
- Feeling unusual, gifted
- Demanding too much attention, especially in social situations
- Experiencing high levels of energy
- Having grandiose and/or delusional thoughts
- Working at warp speed to accomplish goals, tasks
- Showing reckless or volatile behavior
- Feeling extremely confident, excited or happy
- Being unable to slow down words or thoughts
- Repeatedly changing conversational topics, sometimes randomly
- Having high levels of aggression and irritability
- Feeling "wired"
- Being riskier than normal or engaging in generally dangerous activities
- Needing little sleep
- Experiencing paranoia, rage, or even paranoid rage
Extreme Attacks
Sometimes, Manic Depression can cause even more severe episodes that may include psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusional thoughts. Hallucinations can be auditory or visual; they might even cause physical sensations of touch or pain that aren't there.
When these symptoms of psychosis show up in victims of Bipolar I Disorder, their effects usually depend on whatever extreme mood that victim is already feeling. Because of this, they can severely worsen mood swings, especially if they include hallucinations by worsening a victim's depression or deepening a false feeling of grandiosity. Victims of Manic Depression who experience these psychotic effects during attacks are often misdiagnosed with schizophrenia or become suicidal before they can find help.
Hypomania And ADHD
Often, people experience lesser forms of mania known as hypomania and might, therefore, experience less severe bouts of mania or even a mere couple of the symptoms listed above. Because of this, people who have hypomania may have an even more difficult time getting proper help than those who experience the full force of mania. Hypomania can be dangerous because it may cause pleasure for victims, depending on its symptoms; and thus, might be taken as a sign of getting better or of general good functioning.
For example, someone with Bi-Polar I who is experiencing severe depression might have trouble sleeping but also experience bouts of joy and racing thoughts. They may mistakenly believe they have Clinical Depression because they overlook their symptoms of hypomania. Also, someone who suffers frequent bouts of depression might feel relieved by the handful of mania symptoms they experience and never get the healing they need.
Children and teenagers who struggle with Attention Deficit Disorder, ADD or ADHD, may be misdiagnosed with Manic Depression because of their hyper and risky behaviors that are seen as symptoms of mania.
How Do Mood Swings Work?
It can be difficult to notice the mood swings of someone with Manic Depression because they usually have normal levels of energy and mood in between bouts. The mood swings themselves can be mild, life-threatening, gradual, abrupt, multiple times a day, once a year, or anywhere in between.
Each victim experiences mood swings differently, which is one of the reasons it can be so difficult to recognize Bipolar I Disorder. For example, about two-fifths of patients experience at least one period in their lifetime of what is referred to as rapid cycling, a type of Manic Depression that only causes discrete Bipolar attacks four or more times each year. On the other side of the spectrum, Bipolar I Disorder can cause day-to-day, experience-to-experience, or even second-to-second changes in mood.
Causes Of Manic/Depression
Bi-Polar I Disorder is caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry. Manic/Depression tends to run in families, so there is a hereditary factor.
Testing
Online screening tests for Bi-Polar Disorders, both Bi-Polar I and Bi-Polar II (Bi-Polar Depression, which does not have symptoms of mania). There is an excellent one on the Psyche Central website. However, these tests are not to be taken as a proper diagnosis. For this one needs to see a psychiatrist, a specialist. This is so important because Bi-Polar Disorders are chronic and often misdiagnosed by general practitioners.
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It can be difficult and stressful to find local psychiatric help, but organizations such as BetterHelp.com can offer online referrals and supportive counseling and therapy, which is often needed when one is first diagnosed with Bi-Polar I Disorder.
Treatment
Manic Depression is a long-term illness, stealthy and recurring, so long-term preventative treatment is the best course of action. A mixture of psychotherapy and proper medication, such as mood stabilizers, is the usual course of treatment.
Where Manic Depression is concerned medication is essential. However, unfortunately, Manic Depression is often misdiagnosed as Clinical Depression. Antidepressants not only do not help with Bi-Polar I Disorder, they make it worse! Again, so important to see a psychiatrist for a proper diagnosis, mediation, and medication management.
Medication compliance is a significant issue in managing Bipolar I Disorder. Roughly 60% of people diagnosed with Manic Depression take less than 30% of their prescribed medication, even though it helps regulate their mood swings. This is often because they miss the highs and don't like feeling "flat."
However, it is vital that people with Bipolar I Disorder stay on their prescribed medication because untreated they will get worse and worse and often become suicidal. A therapist can be very helpful in helping to work through resistance to medication.
If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255, and is available 24/7
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does it mean to be manic depressive?
The statement ‘manic depressive’ refers to an individual living with bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic depressive illness or manic depression. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that involves extreme shifts in mood and energy. It involves several different mood episodes: an elated or energized state (called manic episodes) to feeling down or hopeless (depressive episodes).
Under the classification of mood disorders exist several types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and cyclothymic disorder.
What are the symptoms of a manic depressive personality?
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that includes several different mood episodes: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes.
An individual undergoing a manic episode will likely display elevated energy or irritability, increased confidence and talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, loss of appetite and weight loss, racing thoughts and impulsive decision making. Hypomanic episodes involve less severe symptoms of mania.
People with bipolar disorder will then experience depressive episodes. Depression symptoms include feeling sad or down, change in eating or sleeping patterns, loss of interest in usual activities, feelings of hopelessness, and thoughts of death and suicide.
Individuals with bipolar disorder are found to be at increased risk for suicide. It is crucial for those living with bipolar disorder to work with a mental health professional to create a safety plan for suicide prevention.
If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 and is available 24/7.
What is manic behavior?
Manic episodes are associated with a mental illness called bipolar disorder. An individual undergoing a mood episode called mania may display elevated energy, irritability, increased confidence and talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, loss of appetite and weight loss, racing thoughts and impulsive decision making. Consult with a health care professional if you are experiencing symptoms of a manic episode. Mental health information and services are offered online through BetterHelp,
Is manic depression the same as bipolar disorder?
Yes! Bipolar disorder, formerly referred to as manic depression, is a mental illness that affects about 2.6% of the American population. Under the classification of mood disorders exist several types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and cyclothymic disorder.
Individuals with a family history of mental illness (such as bipolar disorder or major depression) are more likely to develop it.
There is a significant link between bipolar disorder and substance abuse, The National Institute of Mental Health found that at least 60% of people with bipolar I disorder develop a substance abuse disorder.
Having bipolar disorder is also shown to elevate one’s risk of developing cardiovascular heart disease.
What are the 4 types of bipolar?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is common in the American population.
The National Institute of Mental Health describes the four types of bipolar disorder.
The first is bipolar I disorder which is defined by a pattern of manic episodes (which may require hospitalization) and then depressive episodes. Mixed states may also occur, which is when manic symptoms and depressive symptoms occur at the same time.
Bipolar II disorder refers to shifting between hypomanic episodes (as opposed to full-blown mania seen in bipolar I) and depressive episodes.
Cyclothymic disorder is diagnosed when an individual displays hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms but they do not fit into the criteria for either a hypomanic or depressive episode.
There may also be individuals who experience symptoms of bipolar disorder that does not fit neatly into one of the major categories.
To diagnose bipolar disorder, a health care professional will examine your medical history and assess signs and symptoms.
Can bipolar go away?
Like any mental illness, there is no cure, but one can learn to manage the symptoms of their disorder. Treatment for bipolar disorder includes psychotherapy, medications (including mood stabilizers and antipsychotics) and support groups.
Who is a famous person with bipolar disorder?
Mariah Carey has been open about her experience living with bipolar II disorder, which is a mental illness that includes hypomanic episodes (as opposed to full-blown mania) and depressive episodes.
What is a bipolar person like?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness where individuals undergo a pattern of manic episodes and depressive episodes.
An individual undergoing a manic episode will likely display elevated energy or irritability, increased confidence and talkativeness, decreased need for sleep, loss of appetite and weight loss, racing thoughts and impulsive decision making. Hypomanic episodes involve less severe symptoms of mania.
People with bipolar disorder will then experience depressive episodes. Depression symptoms include feeling sad or down, change in eating or sleeping patterns, loss of interest in usual activities, feelings of hopelessness, and thoughts of death and suicide.
Individuals with bipolar disorder are found to be at increased risk for suicide. It is crucial for those living with bipolar disorder to work with a mental health professional to create a safety plan for suicide prevention.
If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 and is available 24/7.
How do bipolar people act?
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness where individuals undergo a pattern of manic episodes and depressive episodes.
During a manic episode, an individual may appear to have an elevated amount of energy or excitement. They may display irritability or agitation, increased confidence and talkativeness, and make impulsive decisions around spending money or risky sexual behavior.
During a depressive episode, an individual will likely appear sad or down, show loss of interest in usual activities and extreme fatigue.
Can bipolar people tell they are bipolar?
Despite being a common mental illness, many individuals may not be aware that they have bipolar disorder. Health information articles show that it can take up to ten years between the emergence of symptoms and an individual being diagnosed with bipolar disorder! Symptoms often look different in each individual, as different types of bipolar disorder present differently (types include bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder and cyclothymic disorder).
If you are experiencing warning signs of bipolar disorder such as mania/hypomania or depression symptoms, seek out the support of a health care professional who can provide health information and help you formulate a treatment plan.
What should you not say to someone with bipolar?
Unhelpful statements for anyone with a mental illness include “just stop feeling so down” or anything that shames the individual or implies that their mental illness is their fault. Instead, try validating their feelings and experiences. Use statements such as “I am here for you” and encourage them to seek out the support they need.
Is bipolar a disability?
Though bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness and considered a disability, not everyone is guaranteed supplemental security income (SSI) or disability payments. For additional information on whether you might qualify, visit this link.
Does Bipolar get worse as you age?
According to health information articles, it is possible for symptoms of bipolar disorder to become exacerbated over time, particularly if left untreated. Treatment for bipolar disorder includes psychotherapy, medications (including mood stabilizers and antipsychotics) and support groups.
What is a good job for a bipolar person?
It is crucial for people with mental illness to prioritize a consistent sleep pattern. Therefore, jobs that offer flexible daytime hours are typically best. An individual may consider part-time work if a stressful work schedule could create stress that exacerbates symptoms of mental illness.
Can someone with bipolar have a normal relationship?
Absolutely! People living with mental illness can have healthy and happy partnerships. It will likely take effort on both parts to learn more about how symptoms of bipolar disorder might present and working together to ensure both individuals have the support they need.
