Manic depression

manic depression

Last Updated December 20th, 2021

What is manic depression/bipolar disorder?

Bipolar, which was formerly known as manic depression, is a serious mood disorder that is characterized by extreme mood swings, spells of mania (emotional highs) and melancholia (depression).

The mania spells are accompanied by euphoria, sleeplessness, hallucinations, psychosis, grandiose delusions, or paranoid rage. The depressive episodes, meanwhile, are accompanied by severe depression, loss of interest in doing any activity, low energy, and excessive sleepiness. These mood swings, which can happen multiple times a year or rarely, can have an adverse effect on a person’s life as they are unable to think properly.

Types

There are four types of bipolar disorder

Bipolar I disorder

This type is characterized by manic episodes that last at least a week. The person who has this type of bipolar may need hospitalization due to the manic symptoms being too severe. The depressive episode, meanwhile, last for at least two weeks. Episodes with both depression and manic symptoms at the same time may also happen.

Bipolar II disorder

Bipolar II is also accompanied by episodes of mania and depression. However, bipolar is characterized by more episodes of depression than mania. Also, the mania associated with bipolar II is less severe compared to bipolar I and is known as hypomania. A person with bipolar II will have at least one spell of mania in his/her lifetime.

Cyclothymic disorder

Cyclothymia (also known as cyclothymic disorder) is a mild form of bipolar and is characterized by short episodes of mild depression and hypomania.

Mixed bipolar disorder

This type is characterized by simultaneous symptoms of opposite mood polarities during manic or depressive episodes. A person with this type may have high energy, sleeplessness, and racing thoughts but at the same time he/she may also feel hopeless and suicidal.

Causes

The exact cause of bipolar is still unknown. However, it is believed that bipolar disorder may be caused by

  • Physical chances in the brain: Studies have shown that patients with bipolar disorder have physical changes in their brains.
  • Neurotransmitter imbalances: All mood disorders have been linked to neurotransmitter imbalances. This happens when the brain has too much or too little quantities of certain chemicals known as neurotransmitter, which are known to be responsible for mood regulation.
  • Hormonal imbalances: It is believed that hormonal imbalances may also cause bipolar disorders.
  • Environmental factors: Factors like abuse (sexual, physical, and mental), stress or a traumatic event may also cause bipolar disorders.
  • Genetics: Bipolar disorder is more prevalent in people who have a first-degree relative (sibling or parent) with this condition.

Symptoms

The symptoms vary depending on the type of bipolar a person has. Some of the symptoms include

Bipolar I

During a manic episode, a person with this type feels

  • Intense enthusiasm
  • Happiness
  • excitement
  • Anger
  • Restlessness
  • Irritability
  • Increased energy
  • Less need for sleep
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Racing thoughts
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Reckless behavior
  • Increased interest in sex, alcohol, and drugs
  • High self-esteem

During the depressive episode, people feel

  • Extreme sadness
  • Hopelessness
  • Low energy and constant fatigue
  • Changes in sleeping patterns
  • Loss or gain in appetite
  • Poor concentration
  • Loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities
  • Low self-esteem
  • Aches and pains that have no apparent physical cause
  • Suicidal behavior

Bipolar II

During a hypomanic episode, a person with this type feels

  • Increase in energy
  • Feeling agitated
  • Upbeat
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Decreased need to sleep
  • Racing thoughts
  • Talking too fast or talking much more than normal
  • A tendency towards reckless behavior, such as spending too much, drinking or using drugs
  • Impaired decision making

During the depressive episode, people feel

  • Sadness
  • Emptiness
  • Hopelessness
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Inability to sleep or sleeping too much
  • Decreased energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Guilt
  • Trouble concentrating or focusing
  • Weight gain or weight loss
  • Suicidal thoughts or tendencies

Cyclothymia

During a hypomanic episode, a person with this type feels

  • An exaggerated feeling of happiness or well-being
  • Extreme optimism
  • Inflated self-esteem
  • Talking more than usual
  • Poor judgment
  • Risky behavior or unwise choices
  • Racing thoughts
  • Irritable or agitated behavior
  • Excessive physical activity
  • Increased drive to perform or achieve goals
  • Decreased need for sleep
  • Easily distracted
  • Inability to concentrate

During the depressive episode, people feel

  • Sadness
  • Hopelessness
  • Emptiness
  • Tearfulness
  • Irritability (especially in children and teenagers)
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Changes in weight
  • Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • Sleep problems
  • Restlessness
  • Fatigue or feeling slowed down
  • Problems concentrating
  • Thinking of death or suicide

Mixed bipolar disorder

This type is characterized by the following symptoms

  • Mania with mixed features usually involves, over activity, high energy, racing thoughts, irritability or agitation.
  • Depression during episodes with mixed features involves worthlessness, sadness, guilt, loss of interest in activities, low energy, and thoughts of suicide.

Diagnosis

When diagnosing any bipolar disorder, other mental illnesses like schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, delusional disorder, or schizophreniform disorder have to be ruled out. As lab tests or imaging tests cannot be used, bipolar disorder has to diagnosed by analyzing symptoms, including their severity, length, and frequency.

Cyclothymic disorder

For at least two years, many periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms (see above), but the symptoms do not meet the criteria for hypomanic or depressive episode.

During the two-year period, the symptoms (mood swings) have lasted for at least half the time and have never stopped for more than two months.

Treatment

Bipolar I

Bipolar I disorder is very treatable. Medication alone or a combination of talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medication are often used to manage the disorder over time. Each person is different and each treatment is individualized. Different people respond to treatment in different ways. People with bipolar disorder may need to try different medications and therapy before finding what works for them.

Medications

Mood stabilizers are the most commonly prescribed type of medication for bipolar disorder. Anticonvulsant medications are also sometimes used.

Psychotherapy

manic depressionIn psychotherapy, the individual can work with a psychiatrist or other mental health professional to work out problems, better understand the illness and rebuild relationships. A psychiatrist is also able to prescribe medications as part of a treatment plan. Because bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness, meaning that it can come back, ongoing preventive treatment is recommended. In most cases, bipolar disorder is much better controlled if treatment is continuous.

Electroconvulsive therapy

In some cases, when medication and psychotherapy have not helped, a treatment known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be used. ECT uses a brief electrical current applied to the scalp while the patient is under anesthesia. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes and patients typically receive ECT two to three times a week for a total of six to 12 treatments.

Support groups

Since bipolar disorder can cause serious disruptions and create an intensely stressful family situation, family members may also benefit from professional resources, particularly mental health advocacy and support groups. From these sources, families can learn strategies to help them cope, to be an active part of the treatment and to gain support for themselves.

Eat a healthy diet

You may be surprised to know how diet plays an important role in relieving your stress and depression.  Studies have found that people consuming high fat foods and processed foods are more likely to suffer from psychological disorders as compared to others who consume a healthy diet.

Diet plays an important role in determining how hormones are secreted.  Studies have claimed that avoiding high sugar content foods, caffeine, and alcohol can reduce the number of anxiety and panic attacks.  Adding foods rich in lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber can overall improve immune system and regulate the hormonal balance.  This in turn helps in providing a more stable and calm mind.

Meditation and yoga

Meditation is an important way to have a control on mind.  Similarly, yoga postures help the body to concentrate and prevent harmful thoughts to affect the mind.  The best part is that both meditation and yoga can be performed at the comfort of your house.  There is no specific time or place needed to perform meditation and yoga.

Apart from having a control over the mind, it also increases the cognitive level of thinking.  This type of therapy is highly beneficial for people suffering from bipolar disorder where the mind seems to be wandering even if the person is physically present and addressing a completely different subject.  This wandering of mind can be prevented by practicing meditation and yoga.

Bipolar II

Treatments for bipolar II are similar to those for bipolar I — medication and psychotherapy. Medications most commonly used are mood stabilizers and antidepressants, depending on the specific symptoms. If depression symptoms are severe and medication is not working, ECT (see above) may be used. Each person is different and each treatment is individualized.

Cyclothymic Disorder

Treatment for cyclothymic disorder can involve medication and talk therapy. For many people, talk therapy can help with the stresses of ongoing high and low moods. People with cyclothymia may start and stop treatment over time.

Bipolar disorder and creativity

A number of creative people in the arts have been reliably diagnosed as having bipolar disorder such as writers Ernest Hemingway, Robert Lowell, Theodore Roethke, and Virginia Woolf, composers Robert Schumann and Hugo Wolf, artists Jackson Pollock, probably Vincent Van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and Arshile Gorky, actors Vivian Leigh, Dick Van Dyke,  Jason Robards, and Robin Williams

There may now be a scientific explanation as to why many creative people have bipolar disorder. Several recent studies have showed that people who are genetically predisposed to bipolar disorder are more likely than others to show high levels of creativity, particularly in artistic fields where strong verbal skills are helpful.

Bipolar Disorder and Suicide

People with bipolar disorder are at great risk for suicide if they are not getting treatment. The National Mental Health Association reports that 30%-70% of suicide victims have suffered from a form of depression. Men commit almost 75% of suicides, even though twice as many women attempt suicide.

Risk factors for suicide include:

  • Having mental and substance abuse disorders
  • Family history of mental or substance abuse disorders
  • Having attempted suicide previously
  • Having a family history of physical or sexual abuse
  • Having family members or friends who have attempted suicide
  • Keeping a firearm in the home

 

Dos and Don'ts

Dos
  • Address mood swings one step at a time.
  • Speak with family or friends about your thoughts.
  • Follow a healthy sleeping pattern.
  • Seek medical treatment when things are getting out of hand.
Don'ts
  • Follow an unhealthy dietary regimen.
  • Indulge in alcohol and substance abuse.
  • Follow a stressful lifestyle.
  • Avoid social encounters.

 

 

 

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Anti Ds-DNA antibody Test The  Anti Ds-DNA antibody test is used to diagnose the disease called lupus or more aptly the SLE(Systematic…
Period sanitary napkin-menstruaion-blood-colors
Period blood – what it says about your health Your period blood color and consistency indicate what is happening in your body. Is your blood bright red…
social media adddiction
Your health in the age of Social Media: Why is digital detox a necessity? Did you know that more than 400 million people are dangerously addicted to social media? Are you one…
hidden causes obesity
8 hidden causes of obesity you probably didn’t know! Did you know that around 2 billion people worldwide are either overweight or obese? Are you too a…
carrageenan seaweed
Carrageenan: How a simple seaweed extract could better your gut health & immunity Eat more ice cream to prevent cold and flu? –With carrageenan you get one simple seaweed extract that…
5 htp brain
5-htp: Is this the ultimate cure for those pesky migraines attacks? 5-htp is a supplement that is extracted from the plant Griffonia simplicifoli.  It is an amino acid that helps…
Find all the instant ways to get rid of blackheads Blackheads - Not only are they aesthetically unappealing but if left untreated these can cause bacterial overgrowth on…
Goji berry: A traditional Chinese berry that packs the best of antioxidants Goji berry is an ancient berry that is considered to be power-packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Which means…
What to eat, what not to eat in the South Beach Diet? The South Beach Diet is one among the most popular weight loss programs that have been the talk…
Pescatarian Diet 101: What are the inherent health advantages of this diet? People opt to become a pescatarian in order to enrich their bodies with the essential health benefits that…
Experts reveal the safest ways to perform an enema at home The idea of pushing some up your rectal area might make you queasy but an enema could actually…
Oxalates: How healthy greens can sometimes be bad news for your kidneys Oxalates are compounds present in a majority of healthy foods. However, at times an overconsumption of these could…
How accurate is the hair follicle drug test? Hair follicle drug test is one of the best ways to identify drug use in professional circles. But…
Appendix pain: Recent findings on this not-so vestigial organ The exact function of the appendix is still not clear. Some consider it as an organ that once…
ASTtest-liver
AST- Aspartate Aminotransferase Test AST test is a blood test that is used to measure the level of a particular liver enzyme…
malarial antigen test
Malaria Antigen Test A malaria antigen test is a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) that can detect malarial antigens (proteins) in your…
ureteroscopy
Ureteroscopy Ureteroscopy is the diagnostic procedure which is used for the detection of the kidney stones in addition to…
AUTOIMMUNE HEPATITIS liver
Hepatitis Profile A hepatitis profile or a hepatitis panel is a blood test that checks for markers of hepatitis infection…
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Allopathy vs homeopathy vs ayurveda treatment for piles, fissures, and fistula Read to know the best form of treatment among allopathy, homeopathy,or ayurveda for piles, fissures, and fistula
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Facts about the Shepherd’s diet Kristina Wilds promoted Shepherd's diet, a Christian-based diet that highlights Jesus Christ's diet as mentioned in the Bible.
Sweeteners-good or bad?
Sweeteners – Are They Good or Bad for Our Health? Sweeteners can be artificial and natural. Learn about the different types of sweeteners and their health benefits and…
liver detox facts
7 liver detox facts and why ignoring these could kill you! Are you taking care of this organ that handles over 500 different vital functions in your body? Your…
improve digestion weight loss
Power up your gut: 8 proven steps on how to improve your digestion Did you know you have a colony of bacteria in your gut that help you in digesting food?…
nutritional yeast bread
Nutritional Yeast : How can a fungi culture be good for your body? Nutritional yeast: How a simple culture of fungi can transform your skin, digestion, immunity , and much more.…
xylitol gum
Xylitol : Is this the right sugar substitute for you? Discovered during World War 2 owing to sugar shortage, xylitol has become a common name in pharamaceutical industry.…
Salt dangers
Sodium chloride: The wonders and dangers of the simple table salt Sodium chloride is a salt containing sodium and chlorine ions at a 1:1 ratio. It is edible and…
How can Kegels help you overcome weak pelvic muscles & incontinence? Kegel exercises are pelvic floor strengthening exercises that can help you overcome incontinence issues that rise out of…
What is the right way to take a pregnancy test? A pregnancy test is undertaken to determine if you have conceived. A home pregnancy test is the most…
GERD heartburn
Heartburn: What are the exact symptoms and the best home remedies? There are easy home remedies for heartburn, which not only acts as a first aid when you experience…
Crossfit with rope
CrossFit: Now get the perfectly sculpted body with this explosive gym routine CrossFit is a fitness regimen that makes use of high-intensity exercises in a shorter period to achieve muscle…
GGt test
GGT – Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase Test GGT or gammaglutamyl transferase test is a liver function test that is used to detect the extent of…
colposcopy
Colposcopy Colposcopy is a simple, quick and non- invasive diagnostic tool to look closely inside the vulva, vagina, and…
Bloodtestalbumin
Albumin Test Albumin test or blood serum test is a liver function test that measures the amount of the protein…
fructosamine test
Fructosamine Test A fructosamine test measures blood sugar glucose content. Fructosamine level can indicate blood sugar level in past 2-3…
oral hygiene tips
6 shocking consequences of bad oral hygiene (and how to avoid them) Did you know bad breath is not just turning off, but also harms your body in ways you…
Is it possible to achieve full body detox with Master Cleanse? Master cleanse is a diet consisting of a lemonade based beverage, a salt water drink and a herbal…
Astaxanthin: Why experts believe it could be 550x more potent than vitamin E! What is astaxanthin and why is this new supplement on the block touted as the most powerful antioxidant…
How to scrub away stress and fatigue with an Epsom salt bath? Epsom salt is a popular home remedy for many skin ailments. Though there is a lack of scientific…
Ear pain model
Easy and safe tips for ear wax removal you can do at home Cerumen impaction generally occurs when an external object like cotton swabs are used to remove the ear wax.…
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5 things you didn’t know about balneotherapy and how you can do it at home Sauna baths have been popular since a long time. But how much more beneficial can balneotherapy be as…
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Barium Enema Barium enema is also known as colon x-ray. Here, the patient is asked to consume small amount of…
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Hysteroscopy Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive tool to help specialists view the uterus to diagnose and even treat several…
thyroxine t4 test
T4 (Thyroxine) Hormone Test The T4 or thyroxine blood test is an important diagnostic tool that gives a clear picture of how…
iron deficiency profile
Iron Deficiency Profile An iron deficiency profile is a battery of blood tests which are performed in order to determine the…
Proteinuria and blood pressure
Hypertension Profile Hypertension profile is a panel of blood tests done to analyse the cause of hypertension or high blood…
Hepatitis A virus infected liver
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) Total Blood test to look for IgM antibodies to know if you are infected with Hepatitis A virus (HAV),…
High Fiber Diet – Fire up your fiber intake for these health benefits! Regular bowels, healthy detox, higher immunity, and guaranteed weight loss - a high fiber diet can bring all…
gallbladder diet tomato
Gallbladder surgery :Tips on post-operative care and diet What to eat post a gallbladder surgery? What are the key things to avoid if you had a…
Bromelain: 11 reasons why you should start adding pineapple to your pizza! If you didn't love pineapples already, here are some of the top health benefits that bromelain can bring…
edamame
Edamame: How healthy are these green baby beans? Edamame or "immature" soybeans are soft and easily digestable forms of soybeans that are great as an eveyday…
The right way to prepare Alfalfa sprouts at home Alfalfa or lusan ghas is not just a nutritious animal fodder. This flavonoid-rich herb has some amazing health…
Love tea, hate tannins? Rooibos tea is just what you need The market is brimming with a multitude of herbal teas. But what makes rooibos tea (or red bush)…
These are the top foods to increase your hemoglobin count It is important to add iron-rich foods into your diet in order to increase hemoglobin. Deficiency of hemoglobin could…
CBC blood test
CBC (Hemogram 6-part diff) blood test CBC (Hemogram 6-part diff) blood test refers to the test that measures the number of RBCs, WBCs, etc…
helping friend with depression
Support and care tips for helping people with depression Read to find out what is depression, its causes and symptoms. Also check out the steps describing how…
boost immunity tips
Step up your defence: 15 proven tips on how to boost your immunity Want to naturally build up a stronger immunity? Tired of frequent colds and runny nose?You will never believe…
Amaranth: Why is this native Peruvian grain called the “crop of the future”? Full of healthy high proteins and gluten-free, the grain, Amaranth, the tasty and ancient pseudo cereal from Peru,…
avocado benefits
Avocado: 15 reasons why this fruit should be a staple in your diet Did you know that the word avocado literally means "testicles". Don't get grossed out as this power-packed fruit…
green poop causes
Green poop : What are the reasons and how can you correct it Ever sneak a peek down the toilet only to shockingly find green poop? Why does our poop turn…
black seed oil benefits
Black Seed Oil: What secret benefits could it bestow on your health? Black seeds or nigella seeds are tiny packets of health brimming with amazing benefits. Find out why should…
Oil of Oregano: The one-stop essential oil you’ve been looking for Are you plagued by a weak immune system? High body inflammation accompanied by pain and infections? Why not…
Green, brown, & bitter: The instant advantages of including fenugreek in your diet Did you know the earliest usage of fenugreek can be traced back to the Egyptian civilization? Find out…
Kava: Is it the healthy substitute for alcohol you have been waiting for? Native to the beautiful South Pacific islands, Kava is a famous beverage rooted in the local culture. It…
Tamarind: The top health benefits of this staple Asian ingredient Did you know this sweet and sour pulpy fruit does more than just add a tangy flavor to…
Erythritol: A healthy sugar substitute or yet another marketing ploy? Erythritol is a popular choice of a healthy alternative sweetening agent in foods. But how healthy can a…

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