Manic depression. Manic-depressive psychosis: treatment, symptoms, causes

Mental illness manifests itself in severe agitation, or the occurrence of moral disorder. People with this type of illness are completely detached from reality and try to break through limitations. The concept of manic depression combines two components. This is a sharp change in phases of mood, and a rapid restructuring into different states. The concept of mania describes the agitation and elation of a person. Feelings give way to internal instability, and create the foundation for the development of depression and anxiety. Avoiding the consequences by consulting a doctor in a timely manner will allow you to carefully study the causes of the manifestation of this disease.

What factors influence the onset of manic depression?

Psychiatric research does not fully understand what causes this type of disorder. Most experts believe that genetic predisposition - stress and sudden changes in a person's life - have an influence. Approximate links between the causes of manic depression:

Chemical changes in the brain.
Sudden mood swings.
Negative situations that cause anger and rage in a person.
Constant nervous breakdowns.
Constant feeling of danger for yourself and loved ones.
Increasing sense of risk.
Lack of correct perception of the opinions of others.
Poor functioning of the motor complex.
The presence of other diseases associated with the human autonomic system.

Examinations are carried out regularly. This is due to the search for questions - how to avoid the first attack, and prevent a similar condition in the future. First of all, you should contact doctors such as a neurologist, psychiatrist, or psychologist.

How does manic depression manifest?

A characteristic feature of manic depression is rapid changes in mood in a chaotic sequence. In other words, there is a lack of specificity in the patient’s actions and thoughts. There is a situation where depression does not always occur after mania. A person experiences one attack, but then changes his mood in a different direction. A change in the phase of a person’s state is observed immediately or after a certain period of time. The severity of manic depression is manifested in conditions such as:

Maximum degree of optimism, joy and excitement.
Changing a happy image into an irritable and angry image.
Hyper-reactivity.
A quick conversation with the interlocutor, and the inability to grasp the essence of the conversation.
Increased energy and decreased need for sleep.
Sexual excitement.
The desire to win and complete difficult tasks.
High impulsiveness.
Nervous judgments, jumping from one extreme to another.

Bipolar disorder involves psychopathic episodes - seeing things that don't exist or believing that a person has psychic abilities. Features of symptoms that include manic depression:

Sadness.
Malaise.
Hopelessness.
Indifference.
Constant crying, and an attempt to evoke pity from the people around him.
Difficulties in making decisions.
Lack of sleep.
Irritation to reality.
Suicidal thoughts.

Manic depression is a dangerous manifestation of mental and negative behavior that negatively affects the people around you.

Who is most likely to experience manic depression?

Statistics show that the disease can affect people under the age of 35. Here, there is a sharp transition from a normal state to an excited mood, and vice versa. There are several groups of people who are susceptible to developing a complex degree of the disease:

Young children aged 6 to 11 years may find themselves in a situation where the disease is in its early stages. If treatment is not carried out in time, the disorder will reach the stage of manic acute depression.
The second category susceptible to “mania” is women; the sensitivity of the weaker sex allows the disease to develop at a high speed. Girls are more susceptible to manic depression, this is often due to a passive mood and laziness - even removing hair dye at home is sometimes very difficult for them. Another influential factor is hormonal imbalance, which is caused by taking antidepressants in large quantities.
Men are least affected by bipolar disorder, but when the disease occurs, it is due to drug or alcohol addiction.

Manic depression can occur in people who have a mood disorder or have post-traumatic stress disorder.

How is manic depression diagnosed?

It is impossible to check whether a person is sick or not without a preliminary examination. This means that it is necessary to go to the hospital if symptoms of manic depression are observed - sudden changes in mood, restlessness and inability to adequately perceive information. Basic human actions:

See a doctor (if suspicions are confirmed by certain signs). As a rule, you can monitor your behavior with the help of friends or relatives, who will record shortcomings in your mood and physical condition.
Carrying out the necessary tests to check the mental and physical condition of the suspected patient.

The initial stage of bipolar disorder involves treating the patient with special medications and conducting psychotherapy sessions.

What are the most popular types of bipolar disorders?

Manic depression includes several types. Classification depends on the degree of the disease:

The disorder of the first group is characterized by high or mixed changes. The duration of mania is up to 7 days.
Depression of the second category consists of low changes in mood, and does not involve strong arousal during attacks.
Cyclothymic disease involves the occurrence of low and high mood swings, which are accompanied by mild and consistent changes.

Disease categories provide the correct course of treatment in the future. Studying the characteristics of the disorder makes it possible to enhance the therapeutic effect and prevent the occurrence of acute bipolar disorders. Severe cases of manic depression appear in two positions:

Numbness is characterized by indifference and lack of understanding of what is happening in reality.
Loss of control over behavior. This condition manifests itself in severe agitation and nervousness. A person does not feel a sense of boundaries, rushes about, and refuses the help of loved ones.

The onset of loss of control requires immediate hospitalization of the patient and the appointment of a course of treatment.

What symptoms are characteristic of the phases of bipolar disorder?

What is manic depression? The effects of mental illness are accompanied by changes in mood. There are specific stages for each component of manic depression. The manic phase differs from depressive psychosis by motor factors (sharpness, movement without stopping, a feeling of some euphoria). The manic phase occurs in stages:

Hypomanic syndrome includes spiritual uplift and mental alertness.
Severe mania is caused by the discovery of nervousness.
Manic frenzy is accompanied by a maximum degree of irritation.
Motor sedation is due to reduction signs of excitement.
The reactive stage involves the stabilization of all the prerequisites for mania.

Another root of problematic health is the depressive phase. Basic moments:

Depressed mood, and decreased mental and physical performance.
Depression increases, including inhibition of the motor system and mental deviations from the norm.
The pronounced stage of the disorder combines all the symptoms into one whole.
Presence of asthenia or hypertemia, each of the situations manifests itself according to characteristic signs - drowsiness or increased motor activity.

What medications are there to treat manic depression?

Forms of treatment for manic depression are presented as medications. Medicines are relevant for people with the initial stage of the disorder, and patients who are in a state of strong feelings.

Lithium – used to stabilize mood and normalize behavioral changes in a person. The drug reduces the symptoms of mania, but requires regular use. Typically, the rehabilitation period lasts from two weeks to several months. Doctors recommend following safety rules, as the drug has side effects:

Weight gain.
Malaise.
Vomit.
Frequent urination.

The medicine greatly affects the functioning of the thyroid gland and kidneys; while taking it, medical supervision is required. If symptoms of lithium overdose appear during the course, you should go to the hospital. Main reasons:

Visual impairment.
Arrhythmia.
Presence of a cramp.
Difficulty breathing.

The next option is depakote. The drug prevents seizures and is used during the treatment of bipolar disorder. A drug overdose includes side effects:

Indifference.
Diarrhea.
Spasms.
Weight gain.
Slight trembling in hands.

Patients with manic depression usually take more than one type of medication. The process is due to the restoration of feelings and stabilization of mood. The treatment course should include anti-mania medications and antidepressants. Separately, they include: Aminazine, Pipolfen, Tizercin, Haloperidol, Amitriptyline and Finlepsin. Important: practice shows that combining two different drugs will create conditions for a quick recovery.

What are the consequences after the course of treatment?

Prompt treatment prevents new symptoms of bipolar disorder. But, in severe cases, when the patient suffers from alcohol and drug addiction, a course of repeated rehabilitation is necessary. The results of “undertreatment” can be:

Change in appetite.
Disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Insomnia.
Withdrawal from society.
Dangerous human behavior.
Proposing ridiculous ideas regarding life values.
Conversations about death.
Increased sensitivity.

It should be remembered that patients with manic depression, even after recovery, are in a less protected state. What do doctors recommend? How to prevent bipolar disorder? The method includes help and support from others. Simple techniques to calm and stabilize your mood:

Lifestyle changes.
Healthy eating.
Conducting technical relaxation.
Taking water procedures.
Elimination of negative thinking patterns.

A person’s psychological and physical actions depend on external factors, so you should surround yourself with only positive values as much as possible. More communication, joyful meetings and comprehensive relaxation will help you avoid bipolar disorder.

This mental illness is known to the general public under different names. We are talking about manic depression, which has become increasingly common lately.

The commonly used term “manic depression” refers to bipolar affective disorder and manic-depressive states, accompanied by a complex of symptoms with clearly defined, alternating phases of mania and depression.

This condition is accompanied by increased emotional lability (unstable mood).

Manic depression. What it is?

This is an endogenous (based on hereditary predisposition) mental illness, manifesting itself in the following phases (states):

Manic.
Depressed.
Mixed.

With this disease, the patient experiences a sharp change in phases. A mixed state is characterized by a combination of different symptoms of this disorder. There are a wide variety of options for this phase.

Manic-depressive disorder often takes severe and pronounced forms. It requires mandatory professional therapy or correction.

Who suffers

Until today, in psychiatry there is no common understanding of the boundaries and definition of this type of mental disorder. This is due to its pathogenic, clinical, nosological heterogeneity (heterogeneity).

Challenges in accurately estimating the prevalence of manic depression stem from the diversity of its criteria. So, according to one estimate, the proportion of sick people is about 7%. With a more conservative approach, the figures are 0.5-0.8%, which is 5-8 patients per 1000.

The first signs of such conditions are typical for young people. At the age of 25-44, about 46% of patients suffer from this disease. After 55 years, bipolar disorder occurs in 20% of cases.

This disease is more common in women. At the same time, they are more prone to depressive forms.

Very often, MD patients (about 75% of cases) also suffer from other mental disorders. This disease is clearly differentiated (distinguished) from schizophrenia. Unlike the latter, manic depression of any severity practically does not lead to personality degradation.

A person suffering from bipolar disorder most often realizes that something is happening to him and consults a doctor.

Bipolar disorder in children

This disease is much less common in childhood than, for example, schizophrenia. In this case, most often all manifestations that form a typical picture of manic and depressive attacks are absent.

Manic depression in children over 10 years of age is quite common. It is the most pronounced. In practice, typical cases have been observed even in children 3-4 years of age.

One of the main features of bipolar disorder in children is that they have more frequent attacks than in adults. They are reactive in nature. Experts note that the younger the child, the higher the likelihood of a manic rather than depressive nature of bipolar disorder.

Symptoms

Manic depression is a disease in which a person experiences depression and anxiety. Most often, the feeling of anxiety has no basis.

This disease can be easily distinguished from melancholy. Patients withdraw into themselves, speak little, and are extremely reluctant to talk to a doctor. A person with symptoms of anxiety cannot tolerate long pauses.

Patients also exhibit various health problems. They manifest themselves as lack of appetite, bradycardia, constipation, weight loss, and chronic insomnia. Such people often generate delusional ideas and express suicidal thoughts.

The patient is identified by his shifting gaze and constantly moving hands. At the same time, he is constantly correcting or fiddling with something. His pose changes often.

Severe cases manifest themselves in 2 stages:

Losing control.
Numb.

In these cases, you need to call an ambulance and hospitalize the patient in a special medical facility. In this state, a person is capable of terrible acts.

Phases

In bipolar disorder, affective states, called phases, change periodically. There are also “bright” periods of mental health between them. They are called intermissions. At this time, even after a long illness and many different phases suffered, a person’s mental functions practically do not decrease.

During the period of intermission, a person’s personal qualities and psyche completely restore normal functioning.

The manic phase of bipolar disorder is characterized by the following symptoms:

too excited mood;
talkativeness;
high self-esteem;
state of euphoria;
motor excitement;
irritability, aggression.

The manic phase is replaced by a depressive phase, which is characterized by:

a state of melancholy, sadness, apathy;
anxiety, restlessness;
feeling of hopelessness, emptiness;
loss of interest in favorite activities;
guilt;
lack of concentration and energy;
intellectual and physical inhibition.

If you identify several signs of a manic-depressive symptom complex in a person, you should immediately contact a psychotherapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Without the necessary drug treatment and psychocorrection, the patient may develop severe forms of this disease.

Treatment

In case of bipolar disorder, treatment of the patient is mandatory. It should be carried out by an experienced specialist, since cases of remission of this disease are not uncommon.

As a rule, therapy for MD is carried out in stages. In this case the following is carried out:

Drug treatment with special drugs selected individually. In case of inhibition, drugs are prescribed that stimulate activity, and in case of excitement, drugs that calm the nervous system are prescribed.
Electroconvulsive therapy in combination with special diets and therapeutic fasting.
Mental correction.

Forecast

Provided that the patient has only manic-depressive syndrome without concomitant diseases, the patient responds well to therapy. After a short time, he can return to his normal life.

Treatment is most effective when a person contacts a specialist after identifying the first signs of bipolar disorder.

Advanced forms of this disease can lead to irreversible personality changes. In this case, therapy will be very long and often ineffective.

Manic depression is not a “sentence” for a person. Timely treatment can return the patient to normal life in the vast majority of cases.

Video: How to identify depression

Pathologies of a person’s mental state can be associated with the degradation of his personal characteristics or with the preservation of all basic parameters. In the second case, the disorders are less acute, and the ability to fully recover the psyche over a certain period of time remains. Such diseases with a “temporary” course include manic-depressive psychosis.

It manifests itself in the form of cyclical mood swings: periods of violent (manic) activity are followed by downturns in the form of depression and depression. In time, these cycles can be separated by months and years of normal functioning of the mental sphere of brain activity. However, no symptoms of manic-depressive syndrome appear.

In the vast majority of cases, it is diagnosed in middle-aged and elderly women. The initial set of clinical manifestations may occur against the background of a midlife crisis or hormonal changes in the body during menopause. The influence can be exerted by both social and personal factors.

The main provocative factor on which all other causes of manic-depressive psychosis are based is negative genetic heredity. As a rule, in a family there are several recorded cases of the disease in individuals belonging to different generations. But there is a practice of observations in which a clear connection may not be observed. This happens in cases where in older women all manifestations are attributed to gerontological personality changes and quarrelsome character.

The transmission of the defective gene occurs after 1 generation. Thus, in one family, both a grandmother and her granddaughter may suffer from clinical signs of manic-depressive psychosis.

Heredity is influenced by the causes of manic-depressive psychosis, which would be more accurately called triggers:

changes in the endocrine system of the body (nodular goiter, thyroid dysplasia, failure of adrenal function, Graves' disease);
disruption of the hypothalamus and the analytical fragmentary center of the brain;
menopausal hormonal changes;
painful menstruation;
postpartum and prenatal depression.

Among the social and personal factors, it can be noted that individuals who are prone to the appearance of signs of manic-depressive psychosis are:

suffer from a feeling of inferiority (this also includes various complexes);
cannot realize their inclinations and abilities;
do not know how to make contact with other people and build meaningful relationships;
do not have a stable income and sufficient material security;
received serious psychological trauma as a result of divorce, breakup, infidelity, betrayal.

There are other causes of manic-depressive syndrome. They may be associated with head injuries, organic lesions of brain structures due to strokes and cerebrovascular accidents, and meningitis.

Depressive-manic psychosis and its classification

To prescribe the correct compensation therapy, it is important for a psychiatrist to correctly classify depressive-manic psychosis according to the degree of manifestation of its clinical symptoms.

For this, a standard scale is used, which distinguishes 2 degrees:

the absence of pronounced signs is called cyclophrenia;
a detailed clinical picture with severe manifestations is called cyclothymia.

Cyclophrenia is much more common and can occur latently over a long period of time. Such patients experience frequent mood swings for no apparent reason. Under the influence of a stress factor, a person can plunge into the primary phase of depression, which will gradually turn into a manic cycle with intense emotional arousal and a surge of energy and physical activity.

Symptoms of manic-depressive psychosis

Clinical symptoms of manic-depressive psychosis depend on the degree of damage to the person’s mnestic sphere. In cyclophrenia, the signs of manic-depressive psychosis are mild and characterized by a latent course of the disease. Very often in middle-aged women they are disguised as premenstrual syndrome, in which a woman develops irritability, mood swings, impulsiveness and a tendency to hysterics in the period before menstruation.

In old age, symptoms of depressive-manic psychosis in the form of cyclophrenia can be hidden behind a feeling of loneliness, depression, and impaired social contact.

There is a seasonal pattern: afferent disorders appear cyclically at the same time every year. Typically, crisis periods are late autumn and early spring. Protracted forms are diagnosed, in which depressive-manic psychosis shows signs throughout the winter, from late autumn to mid-spring.

Patients may experience:

general mental retardation, which after a few days can be replaced by pronounced excitement and a joyful mood;
refusal to communicate, with a sharp change in mood towards obsessive pestering of other people with conversations;
speech disorders;
immersion in one's own experiences;
expressing fantastic ideas.

Clinical forms of cyclophrenic manic-depressive psychosis are common, in which there is a long-lasting phase of depression with bursts of manic behavior. When leaving this state, complete recovery is observed.

The symptoms of depressive-manic syndrome in the cyclothymic form are more pronounced. Here, in addition to mental disorders, somatic and autonomic symptoms of manic-depressive psychosis may occur.

Among them are:

tendency to search for various “fatal” diseases against the background of depression;
ignoring clinical signs of somatic illness during the manic phase;
psychogenic pain syndromes;
digestive disorders: lack or increase of appetite, tendency to constipation and diarrhea;
tendency to insomnia or constant drowsiness;
heart rhythm disturbances.

The appearance of a patient suffering from signs of manic-depressive psychosis in the depression stage is quite characteristic. These are drooping shoulders, a melancholy and sad look, lack of movements of the facial muscles of the facial zone, self-absorption (the patient does not immediately answer the question asked of him, does not perceive the address to him). When the phase changes to the manic stage, an unhealthy shine appears in the eyes, the patient is agitated, and has constant physical activity. Joy and aspiration for “exploits” are imprinted on the face. To simple questions that require a monosyllabic answer, the patient begins to give out entire theories and lengthy reasoning.

Manic-depressive psychosis can last for several days, or can haunt a person for years or decades.

Treatment of manic-depressive psychosis

Pharmacological treatment of manic-depressive psychosis is required in patients with cyclothymia. For cyclophrenia, lifestyle changes, active physical exercise, and attending psychotherapy sessions are recommended.

If symptoms of depression are severe, antidepressants are prescribed: azaphene, melipramine, noveril or amitriptyline. Sidnocarb and mesocarb can be used for a long time. Treatment always begins with the use of large dosages, which are gradually reduced to a maintenance level. Only a psychiatrist can calculate the dosage based on the patient’s medical history, height, weight, gender and age.

Alternative therapies include:

extreme physical exertion in the form of deprivation of food, sleep and heavy physical labor;
electroshock methods;
electrosleep;
acupuncture and reflexology.

At the stage of excitement, treatment of manic-depressive psychosis comes down to suppressing excessive mental activity. Haloperidol, tizercin, and aminazine may be prescribed. These drugs cannot be used without constant supervision by the attending physician.

The human brain is a complex mechanism that is difficult to study. The root of psychological deviations and psychoses lies deep in a person’s subconscious, destroys life and interferes with functioning. Manic-depressive psychosis is by its nature dangerous not only for the patient, but also for the people around him, so you should immediately contact a specialist.

Manic-depressive syndrome, or, as it is also known, bipolar personality disorder, is a mental illness that manifests itself as a constant change in behavior from unreasonably excited to complete depression.

Causes of TIR

No one knows exactly the origins of this disease - it was known back in Ancient Rome, but doctors of that time clearly separated manic psychosis and depression, and only with the development of medicine was it proven that these were stages of the same disease.

Manic-depressive psychosis (MDP) is a severe mental illness

It may appear due to:

suffered stress;
pregnancy and menopause;
disruption of brain function due to tumors, trauma, chemical exposure;
the presence of this psychosis or other affective disorder in one of the parents (it has been scientifically proven that the disease can be inherited).

Due to mental instability, women are more often susceptible to psychosis. There are also two peaks in which manic disorder can occur: menopause and 20-30 years. Manic-depressive psychosis has a clearly defined seasonal nature, since exacerbations most often occur in the fall and spring.

Manic-depressive psychosis: symptoms and signs

MDP expresses itself in two main stages, which appear for a certain period of time and replace each other. They are:

Manic-depressive psychosis and its varieties

Bipolar personality disorder is sometimes understood as a synonym for MDP, but in reality it is just one type of general psychosis.

The usual course of the disease involves the following stages:

manic;
intermission (when a person returns to his normal behavior);
depressive.

The patient may be missing one of the stages, which is called unipolar disorder. In this case, the same stage can alternate several times, changing only occasionally. Double psychosis also occurs, when the manic phase immediately turns into a depressive phase without intermediate intermission. The changes should be monitored by a doctor who will recommend appropriate treatment appropriate for the individual's condition.

The disease can manifest itself in manic and depressive forms

The difference between manic-depressive syndrome and other diseases

Inexperienced doctors, as well as loved ones, may confuse MDP with ordinary depression. This usually occurs due to short observation of the patient and rapid conclusions. One stage can last up to a year, and most people rush into treatment for depression.

It is worth knowing that in addition to loss of strength and lack of desire to live, patients with MDP also experience physical changes:

The person has inhibited and slow thinking, and an almost complete lack of speech. It's not a matter of wanting to be alone - during this stage the weakness can be so strong that it is difficult for a person to move his tongue. Sometimes this condition turns into complete paralysis. At this moment the patient especially needs help.
During a manic episode, people often report dry mouth, insomnia or very little sleep, racing thoughts, shallow judgment, and a reluctance to think about problems.

The dangers of manic-depressive psychosis

Any psychosis, no matter how minor or insignificant, can radically change the life of the patient and his loved ones. In the depressive stage, a person is able to:

The mechanism of development of the disease is explained by the result of neuropsychic breakdowns with the formation of foci in the cerebral cortex

commit suicide;
die of hunger;
develop bedsores;
fall out of society.

While in the manic stage the patient may:

commit a rash act, up to and including murder, since his cause-and-effect relationships are broken;
endanger your own or others' lives;
start having promiscuous sex.

Diagnosis of TIR

It often happens that the patient is diagnosed incorrectly, which complicates treatment, so the patient must undergo a full set of studies and tests - radiography, MRI of the brain and electroencephalography.

At the time of diagnosis, a complete picture is needed to exclude other mental disorders, infections and injuries.

Treatment of manic-depressive psychosis

The doctor usually prescribes a hospital stay. This makes it much easier to track changes in stages, identify patterns, and help the patient in case of suicide or other unjustified actions.

If the state of lethargy is dominant, antidepressants with analeptic properties are selected

Often prescribed:

antipsychotics with a sedative effect during the manic period;
antidepressants during the depressive stage;
Lithium therapy in the manic stage;
electroconvulsive therapy for prolonged forms.

During moments of activity, a patient with manic syndrome is capable of harming himself due to self-confidence, as well as endangering other people, so conversations with a psychologist who can calm the patient are very important.

Also at the moment of depression, a person needs constant care, since he has no appetite, is taciturn and often motionless.

How to live with manic-depressive psychosis?

3-5% of people admitted to hospital are diagnosed with MDP. With quality treatment of both stages, constant prevention and conversations with a psychiatrist, it is possible to live a normal and ordinary life. Unfortunately, few people think about recovery and make plans for life, so there should always be close people next to such a person who, in the event of an exacerbation, can forcibly put the patient on treatment and support him in every possible way.

Why is it worth treating manic-depressive psychosis?

Many people diagnosed with MDP express themselves through creativity. For example, the famous impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh was also a hostage to this disease, while remaining a talented person, although not capable of socialization. The life path of this artist can serve as a good example for people who do not want to go to the hospital or solve a problem. Despite his talent and boundless imagination, the great impressionist committed suicide during one of his depressive stages. Due to problems with socialization and people, Vincent never sold a single painting in his entire life, but gained fame quite by accident, thanks to people who knew him.

Bipolar disorder, also known in the past as manic depression, is a mental illness that causes the patient to experience sudden mood swings, from depressed to hyperexcited. People with this disease feeling happy and joyful suddenly fall into excessive feelings of sadness and depression and vice versa. Because manic depression is characterized by abrupt changes in mood phases - or polarity - it is called bipolar disorder, or bipolar disorder. Between attacks of mood swings, the patient may be in a normal state and mood.

The word "mania" describes a patient's condition when he is in an overly elevated and excited mood and feels self-confident. These feelings quickly develop into absent-mindedness, irritability, anger and even anger. The word "depression" describes the patient's state of depression and sadness. Because the symptoms are similar, patients are sometimes misdiagnosed with acute depression.

In most patients, attacks of the depressive phase occur much more often than mania.

ICD-10 code

F30 Manic episode

F30.8 Other manic episodes

F30.9 Manic episode, unspecified

Who is most likely to experience manic depression?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 2 million people in the United States suffer from manic depression. It usually begins at a young age, before 35 years of age. If children get sick, it will occur in a more complex form and together with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Some studies have shown that manic depression is hereditary, due to its frequent occurrence within the same family.

This disease affects both men and women equally, but women experience more frequent episodes of mood swings - that is, cyclical bipolar disorder. This course of the disease may be caused by the fact that women have more frequent changes in hormone levels, impaired thyroid function, and are more often prescribed antidepressants. Women are also more likely to experience frequent episodes of depression rather than mania.

Research has found that about 60% of patients with bipolar disorder also suffer from alcohol or drug addiction. In addition, studies have shown that manic depression most often occurs in people with seasonal affective disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.

What causes manic depression?

It is impossible to say for sure what causes depression or bipolar disorder, but causes include genetic predisposition, changes in brain chemistry, or environmental factors such as stress or life changes. More and more research is being conducted to establish the connection between these causes and the onset of bipolar disorder, how the first episode can be avoided, and what role these causes play in treatment.

How does manic depression manifest?

Manic depression is characterized by mood phases that do not follow a specific order, and depression does not always occur after mania. The patient may experience an attack of one phase several times in a row, when suddenly he develops an attack of the opposite mood phase. Mood phase changes can occur at intervals of weeks, months or even years.

The severity of an attack of depression or mania in each case is strictly individual.

Symptoms of mania include:

Excessive feelings of happiness, optimism and excitement.
A sudden change from a joyful state to irritability, anger and hostility.
Restlessness.
Rapid speech and inability to concentrate.
Increased energy and decreased need for sleep.
Increased sexual desire.
Tendency to make grandiose plans and impossible tasks.
Tendency to make poor judgments, such as deciding to quit a new job.
Alcohol or drug abuse.
Increased impulsiveness.

Manic depression is also characterized by psychopathic attacks, for example, people see or hear non-existent things, believe in them and it is impossible to convince them of the opposite. In some cases, they believe that they have supernatural abilities and powers, or consider themselves God-like.

Symptoms of depression include:

Sadness.
Prostration.
Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
Complete indifference to once favorite activities.
Inability to concentrate.
Increased tearfulness.
It's hard to make a decision.
Irritability.
Increased need for sleep.
Insomnia.
Changes in appetite causing excess weight gain or loss.
Thoughts about suicide.
Attempts to commit suicide.

How is manic depression diagnosed?

Manic depression can be accurately diagnosed only when the symptoms of the disease, the complexity of their manifestation, their duration and frequency are monitored. The most common symptoms include sudden changes in mood, which always occur in different ways. Keeping a diary of your symptoms can help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis and differentiate acute depression from bipolar disorder.

If you or someone you care about has manic depression, it is best to seek help from your family doctor or psychiatrist. He, in turn, will give you a referral to the appropriate specialist.

At the time of diagnosis, the doctor must conduct a thorough physical examination. The doctor will ask about mental illness in your family. If a patient experiences four or more mood swings per year, it will be more difficult for him to recover. For bipolar disorder, medication will be the main treatment, but attending psychotherapy sessions at the same time will help the patient avoid future attacks.

How is manic depression treated?

There are a variety of medications used to treat manic depression, including lithium and Depakote.

Lithium

Lithium is a mood stabilizer and the most commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It is effective in treating mood swings from mania to depression and vice versa. Lithium can reduce the symptoms of mania within two weeks of starting it, but it may take several weeks or months for the patient to fully control the situation. Therefore, for a faster effect, it is possible to use drugs such as antipsychotics or antidepressants.

Side effects of lithium:

Frequent urination
Gaining weight
Slight hand shaking
Nausea

Lithium tends to affect the functioning of the kidneys and thyroid gland, so while you take it, your doctor will monitor your health and monitor the level of lithium in your blood. Any factor that affects your blood sodium levels, such as a low-salt diet, increased sweating, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, can cause your blood lithium levels to rise. Be careful with lithium and contact your doctor as soon as you experience symptoms of the conditions described above.

Below we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the symptoms of lithium overdose and advise you to immediately consult a doctor if:

Vision is impaired
An arrhythmic pulse can be heard
Heartbeat becomes too fast or too slow
It became difficult to breathe
Absent-mindedness appeared
Convulsions appeared
Dizziness
Severe trembling
Urination has become more frequent
Uncontrolled eye movement appeared
Started to see double
Bruises and bleeding appeared for no apparent reason

Depakote

Depakote is an anticonvulsant that is also used to treat manic episodes. It is highly effective in the treatment of cyclic bipolar disorder. This drug has a number of side effects, which include inflammation of the liver and a decrease in the level of platelets in the blood (blood cells responsible for blood clotting), so you will need to be monitored by a doctor while you take it.