Manic Depression

Manic Depression questions and answers

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Q: Manic depression?
I had a diagnosis for Manic depression many years ago. It was accurate considering my behaviors back then. These days, I'm different: I get the mania part every few months (as per normal), but NO depression. Any clue what my current deal might be? or whether or not I should attempt re-evaluation? Thanx Alex, Cindy, and Lily. Wow Alex! I am in my early 30's. I appreciate the heads up on this thing potentially getting worse.

A: Hi, My rule of thumb is that if you are wondering if you should be re-evaluated, the answer is yes. If you are on any meds and your symptoms change (they sound like for the better!!), your doc should know that, too. Another difficult part of diagnosis of mental illness is the difficulty in diagnosing properly--and then the stigma that the label brings. If you were diagnosed that long ago...(it's called Bipolar Disorder now) and your symptoms have changed, maybe you would leave the Dr. with a different diagnosis. On the flip side, if you are not on meds, and feel as if your life is not being negatively affected by your periods of mania--and have not also had negative emotions or responses related to the label of manic depression, maybe let sleeping dogs lie... Either way, good luck to you, and kudos for taking your own mental health seriously.

Q: Manic Depression?
After i was told i suffered from manic depression, i thought i'd do some research, and i once read that there was significant correlation between people born in december and those who suffer from bi-polar disorder, my birthday is on the 19th of december, and was just curious as to whether anyone knew this to be true, or if you could give me any other facts or something....i just like to know everything? thanks

A: well i was born in march and i am bipolar and i was told this by more than one doctor that my case is from one of my parents so check into you family history or past and i might add that manic depression is part of my bipolar too and let me say it sucks. been taken meds since 1992 and sometimes they work and sometimes they dont so you need to see a doctor for any meds you might need

Q: How does manic depression affect your emotions?
How does manic dperession "work"? I know that it makes a person happy and sad at extreme levels, but what is it about manic depression that causes those feelings? Hormone imbalance? Chemical reactors? Events? Ect? Please could someone help explain how it works?

A: People confuse "mood" with "emotion". If someone goes from happy to sad (emotions), they think they have had a mood swing. Wrong, they had an emotion. Bipolar is not about having having emotions like anger, sadness..... nor is it about changing from one emotion to another really fast. It is about slowly changing moods..... A mood affects everything from your energy level, emotional response (which emotions you experience), sexuality, thought process, self esteem, appetite, whether or not you enjoy activities, etc....... Bipolar is about moving between a really high mood (mania) and a really low mood (depression) every couple of weeks or months. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain.... like diabetes is a chemical imbalance in the body. It is inherited but needs a trigger to become active. Triggers can be anything from abuse, trauma, or a virus like the flu. Here are some of my personal examples of the extremes. My moods generally last for a couple of months then there is a short period of being normal before I start to swing the other way The low - Do not care about anything, stop showering, stop cleaning house, crying a lot, sleeping 14 hours a day, want to die but don't have the energy to plan it, hating yourself for every little bad thing you have ever done..... feeling guilty about everything you have done while manic, knowing that everyone else hates you too. I feel like my mind has stopped working, thoughts are dulled, can't read..... just lay there like a dead lump of nothing. The High – these are symptoms as listed online followed by my examples * FEELING EXTREMELY HAPPY OR IRITABLE* Like you just won the lottery or like your boss just cut your pay in half so he could give his daughter a raise but the feelings go on and on for weeks or months. *INFLATED SELF ESTEEM* Believe that everyone loves you, everyone knows how smart, funny, pretty, sexy, you are. Think you are so good you can do anything. * REDUCED NEED FOR SLEEP* 2 to 3 hours of sleep a night for weeks or months and you are never tired. * TALK FASTER AND MORE THAN USUAL* Ramble on and on but the talk may be disjointed because thoughts are going by so fast you can't get them out fast enough. It's called pressured speech. * BE MORE ACTIVE THAN USUAL* Needing to run 10 miles a day when you never used to even jog. Taking up 5 new hobbies. * RACING THOUGHTS* Can be seen as confusion. It's very confusing because your thought go by so fast and you have no control over them it's like having 10 people all shouting at you at the same time. * BE EASILY DISTRACTED BY SIGHTS AND SOUNDS* Ohhhh bright and shiny things. :) Because you have ceased to even try to listen to your own thoughts. * ACT IMPULSIVELY, DO RECKLESS THINGS, REDUCED INHIBITION, SPENDING SPREES* Spending the mortgage money on furniture, buying 25 books about penguins because wouldn't it be cute if they could be a colony,* DRIVE RECKLESSLY* 120 mph down back roads with the radio blaring and not really paying attention to the road because of all the bright shiny things, *GET INTO FOOLISH BUSINESS VENTURES* cashing out your 401k to invest in a worm farm or going deep into debt so you can gamble because you know you will win, *HAVE FREQUENT, INDISCRIMINATE, OR UNSAFE SEX* like sex with strangers (without a condom) or with your sisters husband or your husbands sister. Suddenly decide you are bisexual because the opportunity for twice as much sex is there...... Oh my I didn't know I was into BDSM before... tie me up and flog me baby. I am Bipolar 1 and while the other types of bipolar may not be as bad they are still much more extreme than the online symptoms portray. The above are things I have one while manic and that's just a few of them.

Q: How do I get my Manic Depression under control without taking Psyche Medication?
I don't trust Psyche medication, as most of them have harsh side effects and none have been proven to work or do more good than bad. How do I get my manic moods and depression under control. And if any of you say Jesus or Allah or some stupid Deity I will come in to your home and **** your mom and anal rape your dad.

A: With great difficulty. I only know of 1 person who managed and they claimed it was spiritual or some crap like that. When I stop my meds I relapse within 2 weeks and end up hospitalised. You could self medicate with alcohol and illicit drugs, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Q: What are the symptoms of manic depression?
Well I have heard about this thing called manic depression or bipolar syndrome. I think I might have it can sombody explain the symptoms to me please? Thank you

A: In order to have bipolar disorder, you must have had at least one episode of mania and one episode of depression (one episode of mania is enough to diagnose it, but without depression, it's unipolar mania). A manic episode lasts at least four days, and a depressive episode lasts at least two weeks. There are often periods of normality between the episodes, although it is possible - if rarer - to switch almost immediately between the two extremes. Episodes of both kinds can last weeks or even months. It is possible to have ultradian cycling bipolar disorder, where moods change within a day or even within a few hours, but this is extremely rare, and mood swings of that kind of duration are usually caused by another illness, such as Borderline Personality Disorder. Symptoms of mania are: - Euphoria and/or irritation - Increased energy levels - Decreased need for sleep - Lowered inhibitions - Racing thoughts - Racing speech - Reckless and uncharacteristic behaviour (spending all your money on things you don't need, having sex with strangers, putting yourself in dangerous situations without even noticing they're dangerous) - Starting many different projects (and often failing to finish them) Symptoms of depression are: - Unhappiness - Disturbance of sleep and eating - Lethargy - Low self-esteem (usually self-hatred) - Feelings of guilt - Feelings of hopelessness - Isolation - Suicidal thoughts Episodes of mania and depression can both include psychosis (delusions and/or hallucinations), but mania and depression can and often do occur without the presence of psychosis. In order to diagnose bipolar disorder, the symptoms of mania and depression have to cause significant impairment to your day-to-day life.

Q: How to help a friend with manic depression?
My best friend was diagnosed with manic depression couple of year back; recently its got pretty bad. Hes constantly saying how a lack of anything to look forward to or care about and recently just how emptly he feels. I'm worried he's going to do something stupid, but I actually don't know what to do to stop him. Anyone got any advice as to how to, if not "cheer him up" at least make this more bearable for him?

A: Hi, I am 15 years old and I have manic depression, I have done very stupid things...And so on... I think that... As long as he knows he got a good friend like you..Who are there for him and if he knows he can talk with you like this.... Its good.. Myself, I have nobody to talk to, and thats very very ...Bad.. And a comment above said its about medication, its NOT. Anti depressive medications can help him, but as he have this diagnosed he probably do get meds for it. But they dont normally just automaticlly work on their own (personal experiance), you got to act on your own...Wich I dont, and I feel just as bad as when I dont take my meds, I think.. But as long as he got a nice friend like you..Who dont judge him for his disease.. And who is there and supports him.. I think he is happy for that, and tell him you are there for him if he needs to talk....Really... I would be happy if I could have one who was there cheering me up...

Q: Are manic depression and Bipolar disorder really the same thing?
I was diagnosed with Manic Depression about three years ago. I stopped taking the meds after six months because I didn't like what they do to me. I have been having difficulty with my MD a lot lately--it's been worse. Mood swings for no causes whatsoever. I was googling some alternatives to prescribed medication for Manic Depression and everything that came up was Bipolar disorder. I knew that the two were similar--but are they really the same thing?

A: Yes, they are two names for the same disorder. Manic Depression is the old name for what is now called Bipolar Disorder. Professionals chose to discard the name "Manic Depression" or "Manic-Depressive Disorder" in favor of Bipolar Disorder because it is more accurate. Not all forms of bipolar cause manic episodes - bipolar II does not have manic features, but instead the patient suffers from "hypomanic" or "sub-manic" episodes. Cyclothymia also has these hypomanic features, as well as less profound depressive episodes. Because of the different varieties of the disorder, the name "Manic Depression" was misleading and inaccurate, so it was changed to Bipolar Disorder. Hope that helps clear things up!

Q: Prozac pushed me to mania does this mean i have manic depression?
I was initially placed on Fluoxetine (i have previously been on it about 3 yrs ago) and it pushed me into mania, so i was prescribed Remeron (mirtazepine) and they have been working very well and i feel great. Because the Fluoxetine pushed me into a manic stage does this mean i have bipolar? Im slightly confused ccause ive read that this is often a sign of manic depression?

A: Zoloft pushed me into a mild mania for about four months. Medication-induced mania does not automatically mean you have Bipolar. Researchers still argue as to whether or not there is a "predisposition" to Bipolar on those who go manic on an antidepressant. The DSM-IV, the "bible" of the American Psychiatric Association, rules out Bipolar Disorder if it is induced by a medication. An unofficial diagnosis of Bipolar IV, not on the DSM-IV, is sometimes used to describe people who *may* have some Bipolarity but have not demonstrated and organic type of the illness not brought on by medications. People on ecstasy or cocaine can become manic and experience the highs of mania without being bipolar. This reason is why Bipolar is not considered such unless there is proof that a person demonstrates mania or hypomania without artificial drugs whether legal or illegal.

Q: Are bipolar disorder and manic depression the same thing?
Can some explain what manic depression actually means?

A: yes they are the same disorders just with and "updated" name. manic depression/bipolar is basically when you have periods of hyperness (mania) and periods of depression. sometimes this periods can last hours days or months depending on the type of bipolar.

Q: when was manic depression first diagnosed?
ok when was bipolar disorder/manic depression first diagnosed and by whom? and how was it diagnosed?

A: A Brief History of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is perhaps one of the oldest known illnesses. Research reveals some mention of the symptoms in early medical records. It was first noticed as far back as the second century. Aretaeus of Cappadocia (a city in ancient Turkey) first recognized some symptoms of mania and depression, and felt they could be linked to each other. His findings went unnoticed and unsubstantiated until 1650, when a scientist named Richard Burton wrote a book, The Anatomy of Melancholia, which focused specifically on depression. His findings are still used today by many in the mental health field, and he is credited with being the father of depression as a mental illness. Jules Falret coined term "folie circulaire" (circular insanity) in 1854, and established a link between depression and suicide. His work led to the term bipolar disorder, as he was able to find a distinction between moments of depression and heightened moods. He recognized this to be different from simple depression, and finally in 1875 his recorded findings were termed Manic-Depressive Psychosis, a psychiatric disorder. Another lesser-known fact attributed to Falret is that he found the disease seemed to be found in certain families thus recognizing very early that there was a genetic link. Francois Baillarger believed there was a major distinction between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. He characterized the depressive phase of the disease. It was this achievement that allowed bipolar disorder to receive its own classification from other mental disorders of the time. In 1913, Emil Krapelin established the term manic-depressive, with an exhaustive study surrounding the effects of depression and a small portion about the manic state. Within fifteen years, this approach to mental illness was fully accepted and became the prevailing theory of the early 1930’s. In 1952, an article appeared in The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorder, analyzing the genetics behind the disorder, and revealing the likelihood that manic depression ran in families already stricken with the disorder. Throughout much of the 1960’s many with the disorder were institutionalized and given little help financially because of Congress’ refusal to recognize manic depression as legitimate illness. Only in the early 1970’s were laws enacted and standards established to help those afflicted, and in 1979 the National Association of Mental Health (NAMI) was founded. In 1980, the term bipolar disorder (1980) replaced manic-depressive disorder as a diagnostic term found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-III). During the 1980’s research finally was able to distinguish between adult and childhood bipolar disorder, and even today more studies are needed to find the probable causes and the possible methods to treat the illness.

Q: My friend has symptoms of bi-polar/manic depression or hyperthyroidism, but doesnt. What could it be?
He was given drugs for manic depression about a year ago but they didnt do anything. I dont think he has either of these diseases, but im sure hes got something. Can anyone help? Thanks xx

A: apparently you are unaware that often their tests fail to find problems which are, in fact, present. see an hio method chiropractor to check for nerve interference.

Q: is Citalopram used to treat Manic Depression?
I am 21. My doctor has been treating me with Fluoxetine for 5months but last week he put me off them and put me on Citalopram after i was experincing racing thoughts,decreased sleep,excessive spending, increase in energy ect. Will Citalopram help these symptoms? And is Citalopram used to treat Manic Depression?

A: as far as i know it isn't used for manic depression but it should help you with the symptoms your describing, see how you get on with citalopram for a month if that's not working it may be best if you saw a psychiatrist to take over prescribing medication, Dr's are not all ways the best people to help with depression x http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citalopram

Q: Could someone please explain this diagnosis to me?Does it mean i have manic depression?
Hi i am 22. I live in Scotland. I was dicharged from the psychiatric hospital yesterday with a diagnosis of "Recurrent Depressive Disorder - probable Bipolar spectrum". Could someone please explain this diagnosis to me?Does it mean i have manic depression?Thank you

A: yes, it does. manic doesnt mean maniac, it means you have highs followed by lows and vice versa, hence the bipolar spectrum bit on your notes. try not to read too much into it, it is easy for you to misinterpretate and make more of it than it is. i get pist off, and i looked at one of those medical questionnaires, and according to that im in deep trouble but hey, thats life. if you try to be rational it will help you. it will also help you to take any more questions you have to your doctor. you take care now xx

Q: What is manic depression and how do you get a diagnosis?
What if all your friends, family and acquaintances say you are a manic depressive but no matter how hard you try to get help your doctor just says its anxiety?

A: manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, requires a psychiatric evaluation and that requires a psychiatrist. General practitioners are not equipped or trained in the finer skills of psychiatry, they are lucky if they got a semester in school. So, if you are concerned, see a psychiatrist.

Q: How do I find the courage to tell my doctor? (Manic Depression)?
I have been diagnosed with depression. I have been on medicine for months now and do not feel to much better then before. I have been reading up on depression and feel I may have manic depression. I am just so scared to tell my doctor or my husband. I do not want to be judged or thought of badly. But I do want the correct help. Please if anyone has any helping advise they could tell me let me know.

A: Manic depression aka bipolar disorder, is just another diagnosis, and in fact, is better understood than clinical depression. why you would need courage to tell your doctor your concerns is beyond me, he certainly isn't going to label or judge you, and he may even be able to explain why you aren't feeling better, and at the very least can tell you whether or not you are indeed bipolar. If it turns out you are, there are very effective meds for dealing with such a disorder. You have labeled and judged yourself, so you think everyone else will, and it just isn't so. Bipolar disorder, like any other medical issue, simply needs to be recognized and dealt with, so make your appointment, go in and discuss your concerns.