Manic Depression Symptoms

Manic depression symptoms are diverse. Also called bipolar disorder, manic depression is characterized by episodes or phases of extreme elation and extreme sadness; people diagnosed with this disorder can go back and forth between these phases. Depending on what episode a person with manic depression is experiencing, this will determine what symptoms you could see.

The Manic Phase

During the manic phase of manic depression, which is also called mania, a person will exhibit signs of extreme mood elevation and energy. So it's not unusual to see this person experiencing insomnia, racing thoughts, and delusions of grandeur. Along with mood elevation, people with manic depression can also become very irritable and reckless in their behavior. That recklessness may be evident in binge eating or drinking, excessive shopping sprees, and high-risk sexual behaviors like promiscuity and engaging in prostitution.

The Depression Phase

The depression phase of manic depression reveals completely opposite symptoms of mania. It's during this phase that the person will show classic signs of depression: extreme sadness, loss of interest in activities once pleasurable, loss of self-esteem, and suicidal ideation. Other symptoms during the depression phase can include sleep disturbances and poor eating habits, reflected by not eating enough or gaining too much weight.

What triggers manic depression symptoms?

According to the Mayo Clinic, manic depression can be caused by a number of factors, including biological traits, traumatic events, and hormonal or neurotransmitter imbalances. Once a person is diagnosed with manic depression, symptoms can be triggered by such actions as forgetting to take medication, experiencing a stressful event like the loss of a job or death of a close family member, or even pregnancy and giving birth, which cause a huge shift in hormonal balance.

How do you treat manic depression symptoms?

Manic depression can be treated with a combination of medication and psychotherapy. Some of the medications frequently prescribed to people with manic depression include mood stabilizers like lithium, antidepressants such as Prozac or Effexor, and antipsychotics like Zyprexa or Seroquel. If a person is beginning to show manic depression symptoms, it is important to orient him to reality and point out he is showing signs of either mania or depression. Try to keep him safe by assessing for any suicidal thoughts (for example, "Are you planning to hurt yourself?") or attempts at reckless behavior. Keep names and phone numbers of the person's psychiatrist/psychotherapist and suicide hotline numbers close at hand for immediate assistance during times of crisis.