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Manic Depression
from:Manic depression is a disorder that’s also called bipolar disorder or manic-depressive illness. It’s a mood disorder, but it’s one of extremes. The term manic depression comes from the word mania which refers to the extreme highs and lows someone with bipolar disorder experiences. Bipolar disorder does not get better on its own and must be treated. There are numerous medical research studies being conducted in the area of manic depression, but current treatments often include medication.
With depression, you experience mostly, if not only, low feelings. With manic depression you experience extreme moods ranging from the most euphoric to the deepest depression. During the euphoric stage, the person is very happy and high-strung. The attention span is short, sleep is difficult, and it’s hard to concentrate. But one of the most distressing symptoms during this euphoric stage is the loss of good judgment and the desire to be reckless. A person during this stage may charge up all the credit cards, gamble all their money away or engage in risky business or sexual decisions.
During the depression stage, a person with manic depression will experience deep feelings of sadness and guilt. Life becomes hopeless and suicidal thoughts can begin. The person has little interest in any activities and may sleep a lot or very little.
Of course, everyone is different. The euphoric and depression highs and lows can be fairly mild in some cases, but the behavior during these periods can be devastating to a family. A manic depressive can cause great financial and interpersonal problem between family members. Unfortunately, people with manic depression can also experience mood swings within short periods of time. It’s even possible to experience both euphoric and depression at the same time.
There are many different things that can trigger episodes of manic depression. They include drug use and a traumatic experience such as a death in the family. There are various treatments used for bipolar disorder. One of the most common is prescription medications that stabilize moods or serve as antidepressants. Another common treatment is counseling sessions with a therapist. A therapist can assist a person with manic depression in identifying when euphoric or depression episodes are about to happen. The goal is to determine if there are certain things which cause the episodes to happen. There are other treatments, but those are the most common.
It’s important to understand that manic depression is a serious disorder that needs medical attention. But even while under a doctor’s care, you must make sure you take your medication regularly and become aware of what’s happening to you emotionally and mentally. Though research seems to indicate this disorder occurs because of faulty neurotransmitters, it’s not known for sure. Manic depression is a complicated problem that needs medical attention.
Depression Specific links
Depression News
A Depression? Hardly (Washington Post)
The specter of depression stalks America. You hear the word repeatedly. Are we in a depression? If not, are we headed for one? The answer to the first question is no; the answer to the second is "almost certainly not." The use of "depression" to describe the economy is a case of rhetorical overkill that speaks volumes about today's widespread pessimism and anxiety. A short history lesson shows ...
Read more...Depression linked with first stroke in elderly (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
The results of a study in the current issue of the journal Stroke suggest that there is an association between depression and an increased risk of having a first stroke in elderly patients.
Read more...Michael: 'Music helped depression' (ITN via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)
George Michael has said music helped him through years of depression when he first toured the US.
Read more...Intervention Delivered By Nurses Can Help Combat Depression In Cancer Patients (Medical News Today)
A team of Scottish researchers have shown that cancer patients offered a depression care intervention - delivered by specially trained oncology nurses with no previous psychiatric experience - showed improvements in symptoms of depression compared to patients offered usual care.
Read more...Depression not climbing - study (Perth Now)
THE popular belief that rates of depression are climbing has been challenged by new research.
Read more...PTSD’s Effect on Chronic Pain and Depression (Psych Central)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are commonly experienced by individuals living with accident or trauma related chronic pain. However, how PTSD relates to mood disorders and pain severity in chronic pain patients has remained a mystery. As a result, scientists from the University of Michigan researchers examined the contribution of PTSD to the pain [...]
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