What is Manic Depression & Bipolar?
Manic depression is a treatable but chronic mental health illness, which is found in about 1% of the population. It often first occurs in the late teens or early twenties. People with manic depression experience periods of depression as described above, as well as periods of mania. During the depressive phase of the illness, people may experience symptoms at a deeper level of emotion than those with other depressive illnesses. It is not uncommon for those affected to report deep, immobilizing despair and suicidal thought and attempts.
Types of bipolar:
Bipolar I Disorder: Individuals have had at least one full manic or mixed mood episode, and may or may not suffer from episodes of depression and psychosis.
Bipolar II Disorder: Individuals have at least one depressive episode and at least one hypo manic episode, but never experience a full manic or mixed mood episode. Bipolar II can go unrecognized because the hypo manic symptoms may not appear unusual; psychosis may or may not be present.
Cyclothymic Disorder: Individuals have suffered numerous hypo manic and depressive symptoms over at least 2 years that are not severe enough or not long enough in duration to meet the criteria for a mood episode.
Symptoms of mania may include:
- Excessive energy, feeling unusual excitement, energy or irritability.
- Racing flights of ideas, jumps from one thought to another.
- Vigorous denial that anything is wrong.
- Pressured speech.
- Grandiose thoughts or inflated self-esteem, supreme sense of self-confidence.
- Overspending.
- High heart rate and irregular breathing.
- Alternating decreases and increases of sleep.
- Impaired judgment, easily distracted by irrelevant comments or events.
- Extreme irritability, or rapid, unpredictable mood changes.
- Use alcohol or other drugs to ease the ever-changing moods.
- Excessive euphoria.
- Uncharacteristically poor judgment.
- Increased sexual drive.
- Risk-behavior.
- Psychosis may be present in some individuals.
Symptoms of depression may include:
- Persistent sad or empty mood.
- Anxiety.
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness or helplessness.
- Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex.
- Decreased energy.
- Feelings of fatigue.
- Difficulty in concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
- Change in appetite or weight.
- Thoughts of death or suicide.
