Manic depression is a common term for bipolar disorder. Life of a manic depressive patient is often impacted by the disorder. Some people with manic depression may have severe symptoms while others may only have mild symptoms.
Bipolar disorder causes mood disturbances known as mania and depression. The mood disturbances may not be severe enough to be called true mania or depression. Hypomania is a milder form of mania, while dysthymia is persistent, mild depression.
Mania and depression can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming. Mania can cause a decreased need for sleep, impulsively, euphoria, and irritability.
Depressive episodes can be a severe enough to cause suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. Dealing with a mood disturbance can cause the person to question their normal moods. If a person feels sad or even just discontent, the person may wonder if it is the beginning of a depressive episode.
Mixed episodes caused by manic depression have symptoms of both mania and depression. A mixed episode can be very frustrating. During a mixed episode, the person may feel irritable one minute, severely depressed later that day, and invincible and euphoric minutes later.
One of the most stressful aspects of bipolar disorder for the individual in their family is that bipolar disorder may cause them to do things that they would normally not do. The actions can be impulsive and you're responsible during an episode even though the person normally may be very responsible and even conservative.
Life for manic depressive patient may be focused on coping with the disorder. Symptoms may interfere with the person's ability to hold a job or have relationships.
Many times, the manic depressive patient must try numerous combinations of medications before finding a combination that controls the symptoms without having severe side effects. There is no cure for manic depression. People with bipolar disorder are often on medication for the rest of their lives.
In addition to medication, therapy can help the manic depressive patient cope with the illness. Many manic depressive patients use art, writing, relaxation techniques, and hobbies to help cope with the stress of the disorder.
The onset of bipolar disorder is usually during late adolescence or early adulthood. The onset of the symptoms can interfere with the person's focus at that time which may be attending college or beginning a career. Unfortunately, bipolar disorder can force a person to abandon their career goals at least temporarily.
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