Bipolar manic depression is a serious medical condition that causes alterations
in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Unlike the typical mood
swings a normal person experiences, the symptoms of bi polar manic depression
are much more severe. It often attacks when a person experiences an unusually
great deal of stress, whether from work, school or family. Research also suggest
that Bipolar manic depression could be hereditary, or that there may be a physical
problem with the brain systems that control our mood. For women, it can also
be triggered by childbirth or during menopause.
Medical professionals also refer to manic-depressive illness as bipolar mood
disorder. It is a disturbance in a person's mood characterized by extreme, often
inappropriate and unpredictable mood swings. Mood swings can be mild, moderate
or severe and are accompanied by changes in thinking and behavior. Symptoms
are often subtle and unnoticeable, but increases with time. If a person exhibits
an unusual change in mood or disposition that persists for longer than two weeks,
it is almost certainly a sign of bipolar manic depression.
This term refers to the "two poles" of mood, with depression or feeling down
at one end and mania or feeling high at the other end. The course of the illness
varies from patient to patient, making the arrival at a single treatment for
all those who suffer from it virtually impossible. Treating the medical condition
involves recognizing the unique symptoms that the individual exhibits and prescribing
the best treatment approach.
Manic-depression has been with human beings since the beginning of time. Though
there is no known cure, most forms of bipolar disorder are eminently treatable
with medication and supportive psychotherapy. If an individual begins to show
signs of the disorder, it is imperative to seek professional help as early as
possible. Without treatment, the frequency and severity of this recurring illness
can increase over the years, which may ultimately lead to suicide, the leading
cause of death for individuals suffering from manic-depression.
This illness affects both men and women, with 2% of the population in the U.S.
suffering from this condition. Many cases have shown that women are more likely
to have symptoms of depression, whereas men are more likely to have symptoms
of mania. It is more common among people in upper socioeconomic classes and
usually starts in early adult life, before the age of 35. However, a person
may experience his/her first manic-depression episode at any age - cases of
the illness occurring in the elderly and even children have been reported.
Cyclothymic disorder, on the other hand, is a less severe form of manic-depression.
It is characterized by less intense episodes of excitement and sadness lasting
for only a few days and recurs at irregular intervals. Although its symptoms
may persist throughout adult life, it does not completely impair a person's
social or personal functioning. Rather it may even contribute to the person's
success in many aspects of his or her career or personal life.
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