Manic Depression

Manic depression, or manic depressive disorder, is more commonly known as bipolar disorder. You can have a custom research paper written that explains the various dementions of manic depression.

A person with a diagnosis of manic depression transitions between extreme ends of the spectrum in terms of the way they think, how they feel, and how they behave; these ends are known as mania and depression, and the frequent transitions between them are often referred to as mood swings. The only commonality among all people with manic depression is that one transitions between instances of mania and depression; how long one spends in either of these states, how long it takes to transition between the two states, and how frequently this transition happens varies from person to person. Some individuals with this diagnosis experience volatility or instability in their moods; at one moment, they might be experiencing any given mood while just moments later they might be experiencing something entirely different.

In addition to the changes in mood that accompany the transitions between mania and depression, a person with manic depression also is likely to experience changes in the following:

• Sleep patterns
• Energy levels
• Activity levels
• Overall behavioral malase

Depressive moods can include feelings of emptiness, a loss of interest in activities one previously enjoyed, a decline in appetite, or problems with concentration, among others. Manic symptoms include racing thoughts, feelings of restlessness, and participating in risky behaviors. All of these factors combine to have some profound impacts on a person's life, including negative impacts on work or academic performance; damage to relationships with friends, family, and loved ones; and, in untreated cases, instances of self-harm. Treatment can take many forms, but the most common is pharmaceutical, including the use of mood stabilizers and antidepressants. With closely monitored treatment, the prognosis is positive for a long, healthy life.

Many representatives of the mental health field feel strongly that bipolar illness is highly undiagnosed in the United States. Currently, nearly three million Americans have been diagnosed with the illness. Several groups, including the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (DMDA) and the National Institute of Mental Health, estimate that just as many people may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.The results of under-diagnosis could result in emergency hospitalization, disability, lost productivity, and even death. Of those that do receive a diagnosis, the average bipolar individual spends eight years and sees four doctors before the correct diagnosis is received. Unfortunately, the illness worsens as it continues untreated, making it increasingly difficult to treat.

Bipolar illness is not caused by any environmental factors. Bipolar individuals cannot control the fact that they have the illness. It is very much biological in nature, and has been shown to be genetic in nature. In general, if one parent is bipolar, a child has a one in seven chance of developing the illness.