Although it is popularly called manic depression, the correct medical name for it is bipolar depression and the least desirable form of depression to have.
Although depression is a condition, the sufferer also experiences periods of intense hyperactivity and cannot relax. Many people actually experience erratic changes in their moods from time to time but these mood swings may actually caused by PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) or stress. It is now believed that regular and constant changes in mood are more likely to be caused by depression.
But when these mood swings have gone to utmost absurdity, from getting annoyed even by the smallest or simplest of things and as a consequence throwing absurd tantrums, this may already be the start of manic depression. Periods of increased energy (and possible euphoria) are the reason that bipolar depression has been termed manic depression. However, these periods of euphoria can be brief and often aggressive behavior will follow. To make matters worse, the manic depressive patient when in this elevated mood may even carry on with sudden periods of elation for almost a week.
To make matters worse if you were to meet someone suffering from manic depression when they are low, it would be easy to believe they are suffering from normal depression. Part of the problem stems from the fact that when in the depressed condition they may experience the situation common to depressed patients when they feel unwanted and of no use. The victim may also suffer form other self destructive tendencies such as self pity, self hate, sadness and guilt. Specialists in this behavioral area are now likely to diagnose anyone as bipolar if they have only been suffering these symptoms for as little as a week.
In spite of being one of the most common, yet severe type of depressive disorder, manic depression can actually be treated. There’s no reason to worry too much about it because by just following the doctors procedures and taking the prescribed medications, it is possible to overcome manic depression before it becomes too late. A therapist should always be available not just to help with the emotional frustrations the suffer feels but also to help them understand how to deal with their condition.
While relief may come from drugs and other natural medicines it is the behavioral therapist that will really make a difference in the long term. Although there have been many advances in drugs that have shown positive effects with manic depressives, it is the cognitive behavior therapists that have made the greatest advances in understanding and dealing with this condition. It is now seriously believed that cognitive behavioral therapists are going to be the front line cure for bipolar depression.
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The Symtoms Of Depression
Doctors who specialize in mental health conditions will tell you that sufferers of depression will usually have all the symptoms of depression available. Sometimes it’s actually quite easy to overlook such symptoms and not be able to help yourself or others who are suffering from depression for that matter.
The number of symptoms of depression is quite large so being aware of them is a positive step forward. Even though a depressed person may suffer from many of the symptoms, it is not required that they actually suffer from all of them just so you can be sure before you suggest help.
If you notice that someone you know well seems to have developed a permanent sadness and doesn’t care about events around them, this is often a good indicator of deeper problems. Early signs such as these are still the best indicators of a mental health problem especially if they are noticed early.
Speaking of feeling sorry for yourself; another common symptom of depression is when a person actually feels like he or she has nothing to look forward to in their life. You will also find they have negative feelings and thoughts on every subject and cannot see the good in anything, expecting everything to go wrong.
A lack of incentive to carry out even basic tasks in life and a continual feeling of guilt about something as well as no self worth are all symptoms of depression. Whenever a person feels so guilty over something, this actually makes one a very sad person who feels like he or she doesn’t deserve to be happy. So it goes on and these feelings exacerbate the situation and the depression gets worse and the sufferer cannot see any end to it.
Unfortunately it is not a good sign when something that has always made you happy, such as an interest or pastime, now fails to interest you. As symptoms go, a complete disinterest in anything that has always brought joy and contentment is a sure indication that something needs to be done.
The incentive to do anything physical and a general apathy just cause the condition to seem worse. A healthy mind creates a health body they say and although not always true, people with mental disorders are often found to be in poor physical condition.
If left unchecked, there will also be problems with the depressed persons ability to comprehend what is happening around them as their mind wanders and they have difficulty remaining focused on a subject. You may also believe that the person with symptoms of depression is not listening and this is probably true but to make this situation worse, they may not even remember what happened the day before.
Symptoms of depression can also include poor sleep patterns especially too much or to little sleep. Noticing if a person’s sleep pattern is disrupted can be as easy to detect as their eating habits when they start eating far more or less than usual. If the situation has been going on for some time, the depressed person may start being preoccupied with death, especially their own as well as other physical conditions such has stomach problems, headaches for example.
