Dealing With Manic Depression
Manic Phases and Bipolar Disorder Signs and Symptoms
Also known as bipolar disorder, manic depression is a mental condition where a person alternately goes between a manic and depressive state, with stages of normalcy in between. During the normal stages, a manic depressive person may seem perfectly healthy and show no traces of the condition at all.
Each manic or depressive stage may last from just a few minutes to several days at a time. Living with depression or someone showing different stages, makes it difficult to identify right away.
Common Signs and Symptoms
The most frequent tell-tale sign of manic depression is the rapidly fluctuating moods of the individual, which oftentimes happen for no apparent reason. One moment they may be deliriously happy and then suddenly fall into a depressed stupor.
Manic Phase
When the person is in the manic phase, he may appear ecstatic and brimming with energy. He will talk very fast nonstop, almost to the point of stumbling over his words in his desire to say too much too fast. He will also be constantly looking for something to do because he can’t keep still for a long time.
Depression Phase
On the other hand, the depression phase couldn’t be more different. The person will look very sad or stressed out. He will probably refuse to go out in public and might also skip meals due to the loss of appetite. The shift between the manic and depressive stages may be abrupt, which can be quite unsettling to witness, or it may pass through a brief period of being normal in between.
Extreme cases of manic depression can be identified immediately because the symptoms will be quite visible to anyone but the not so severe cases can go undiagnosed for several years. If the condition does not prevent the person from living a normal life, it may seem alright to ignore it. However, many cases get worse over time if not given the proper treatment so it is still advisable to see a specialist as soon as the earliest symptoms become noticeable.
Manic Depression Treatment Options
The most commonly used remedy for manic depression is the use of prescription medication. These medications are particularly helpful for people who are prone to frequent manic attacks. But most experts agree that the best treatment for the condition is to undergo psychiatric therapy, as this does not involve the use of any artificial chemicals and also has a very high success rate.
You may also consult your doctor about alternative remedies like the use of herbal depression medications and the benefits of aromatherapy.
What Is Manic Depression?
It’s a term that most of us have heard a few times in their life but few people can really give an answer to the question, what is manic depression? Basically, manic depression is a mental disorder where an individual experiences extreme mood swings, if you will, that fluctuate between mania and depression. These fluctuations may happen several times a day, sometimes within just a few minutes. In the more severe cases, the person suffering from manic depression will be unable to function properly in their daily life due to this condition.
Common Causes of Manic Depression
In trying to understand what is manic depression and what the possible cures are, it is crucial that you first trace the cause of the particular condition. Although doctors are still uncertain as to what particular factor triggers this disorder, most cases have been determined to be hereditary in nature.
Other common causes are environmental factors, particularly traumatic issues that the individual may have had to deal with as a child. In fact, most people who are trying to determine what is manic depression and where they may have gotten it end up uncovering long-forgotten events in their lives that are actually causing this mental disorder.
Symptoms of Manic Depression
Another important step in learning about what is manic depression is to familiarize yourself with the different symptoms of the disorder. Typically, a person with this condition would suddenly appear to be hyperactive and overly enthusiastic and become completely depressed just a few minutes afterwards. During the early stages of this condition, the symptoms will not be that noticeable but they will gradually become more apparent as the disorder worsens.
Popular Remedies for Manic Depression Treatment
Although it is important to know about the causes and symptoms of this disorder, what most people really want to know is what is manic depression treatment and how can they be cured of this condition? Fortunately, there are some very effective ways of recovering from manic depression, one of which is to undergo regular sessions with professional therapists or psychiatrists. Oftentimes, the psychiatrists will recommend certain medications to take as well in order to speed up the rehabilitation process.
For people who don’t particularly like using medication, there are also alternative treatments to manic depression and anxiety, like the use of herbal preparations that are able to stabilize one’s mood and ultimately minimize the risk of going into both a manic or depressive state.
