Manic depression is a mood disorder that is also called bipolar disorder. This psychiatric illness is quite serious and it causes massive disruption in the health and lifestyle of individuals. Those suffering from bipolar or manic depression tend to experience extreme mood swings. These individuals may feel very sad, helpless and worthless at one moment and feel creative, grandiose or hyperactive the next moment.

Manic depression includes symptoms of mania as well as depression and these mood swings occur in cycles. Between these cycles those suffering from this illness are able to function quite normally. The depression cycles in this illness may be life threatening. The age at which this illness tends to start is around 21 on an average. This disorder is quite common with around 5.7 million individuals being affected with it in United States alone.

Manic depression can be caused by chemical imbalance in the brain and when the chemical levels are too high it may cause mania to occur. When the norepinephrine levels drop it results in depression. Genes also play an important part in causing this condition. However the factor that can result in causing an onset of this condition is stress. Illness, drug use or emotional stress can result in an onset of this disease.

The manic phase in manic depression is characterized by feeling indestructible, ready for anything and the person may feel like he/she is full of energy. Such a person may make unrealistic plans; indulge in reckless behavior including sexual affairs. Such a person may talk quickly and have an inflated self esteem. Decision making involving personal life and business dealings may be done quickly without careful thought process. Those suffering from bipolar disorder tend to deny that they might be suffering from some problem. They also tend to have delusions or false ideas of their greatness.

Manic depression is also characterized by depressive episodes and these episodes tend to be more frequent as compared to manic episodes. Such episodes are characterized by crying spells and sadness. In these depressive episodes the individuals may not change their clothes or even comb their hair. They do not have any appetite and tend to lose weight while others may eat excessively. They also tend to withdraw from people and may lose interest in hobbies that were pleasurable at one point of time.

The depressive episode in manic depression also causes people to feel hopeless and worthless. Some people may complain of chronic physical problems and pain even though these pains may not have a physical cause. These individuals may think of ways to commit suicide. In some cases people may experience the mania and depression cycles every few months while in some other cases the cycle may be experienced several times in a single day.

People suffering from manic depression tend to experience problems in life that include relationship problems as well as problems in their professional field. Before diagnosing this condition medical condition causing mood swings should be ruled out. The diagnosis is done if at least four symptoms of depression and mania are experienced for at least two weeks. While there is no cure for bipolar disorder or manic depression those with this condition can live a relatively stable life with the help of therapy.

Treatment for manic depression may include medication to stabilize mood swings along with counseling. The medicines prescribed for this condition include lithium, carbamazepine, lamotrigine, valproic acid and quetiapine. Some other medicines like risperidone and olanzapine are used for treatment of psychosis and so are used in treating bipolar disorder. Antidepressant medication is also used for treatment and this is required to be taken with mood stabilizers in the depressive periods. Those having this condition need to get their thyroid function monitored as it tends to affect the energy and mood levels. Relapses should be spotted and for this adequate information about this condition should be obtained. Adequate support for those suffering from this condition is crucial in ensuring that relapses are reduced and the condition is managed well.