Manic
Depressive Disorder
Among all types of
depression, manic
depressive disorder or bipolar
disorder is by far the least common. Nonetheless, according to recent
studies and depending on the interpretation of the results of these
studies about 1.3 to 6.4 percent of the population can be classified as
having manic depressive disorder. This type of
depression is
characterized by mood swings between severe emotional lows (the
depressive state) and highs (the manic state). In general manic
depressive disorder is categorized as either Bipolar Type I or Bipolar
Type II – the former defined by mania in its extreme form, the latter
characterized by a less extreme expression of mania called hypo-mania.
It's generally rather difficult to determine which Type the disorder
belongs to.
The manic phases of manic depressive disorder are defined by a dramatic
increase in energy leading to over-activity and over-confidence. The
patient is also commonly over-talkative with a high speech-rate. The
attention span is drastically lowered as is the ability to think
rationally and to behave properly in social settings. This in turn
leads to the affected person devising and pursuing unrealistic and
often times dangerous ideas, as well as to the unintentional creation
of
embarrassing situations in public. If left untreated mania can develop
into a psychotic state. The hypo-mania characteristic for Bipolar Type
II is less destructive than full-blown mania insofar as the symptoms
are much weaker and usually last for a shorter period of time. The
hypo-manic state can even lead to creative outbursts and, at least
temporarily, to unusually high innovative problem solving skills.
The depressive phases of manic depressive disorder are in no way
different than the depressive phases of other kinds of
depression. The
patient experiences prolonged phases of sadness, often without a cause,
and a loss of energy leading to lethargy. He is indifferent and
pessimistic; feels guilty and worthless; shows a loss of appetite and a
change in sleep patterns – with insomnia being very common; is
indecisive and unable to concentrate; experiences anxiety, irritability
and anger. Furthermore, the patient may have recurring thoughts of
death or suicide. Patients at this phase of
depression must seek treatment before
the situation worsen. The earlier the treatment, the better and faster
the recovery.
Sometimes manic depressive disorder patients experience a mixed state
where certain aspects of the manic and the depressive state occur next
to each other. For example it is possible that a patient experiences
insomnia, paranoia, anxiety and suicidal thoughts as well as agitation,
aggressiveness and hyperactivity. Mixed episodes of manic depressive
disorder often are the most destructive mental state leading to
self-mutilation, suicidal activities and substance abuse if untreated.
While some sufferers of manic depressive disorder experience only a few
manic and depressive episodes during their lifetime the opposite is
true for many other cases of this type of
depression.
Rapid cycling of
mania and various types of
depression
is hard to control and has a
worse prognosis than
the other types of manic depressive disorder. Interestingly the use of
anti-depressants can have a negative effect on patients experiencing
rapid cycles or can even induce the rapid cycling state.
Concluding it has to be said that manic depressive disorder is a
serious condition and arguably the worst of all types of
depression.
Probably to a large extent genetically pre-determined it cannot be
healed. However, the condition can be alleviated and controlled by
proper medicinal management and anyone suffering from manic depressive
disorder is well-advised to seek medical help as soon as possible. In
some cases, a discipline and open-minded patients can recover
successfully after going through proven self-help
depression solutions.
Here are some more Depression Related
articles...
