Mental health conditions
Manic depression
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What is manic depression (Bi-polar Affective Disorder)?
In manic depression an individual experiences mood swings from deep depression to periods of overactive, excited behaviour known as mania. Periods between the highs and lows may be relatively stable, although this isn't always the case. Some people also see or hear things that others around them don't (known as having visual or auditory hallucinations or delusions).
Highs and lows are normal in every day life, but in manic depression these changes are extreme. During the manic phase, people may feel euphoric, full of a sense of their own inportance and filled with ambitious schemes and ideas. They may spend money extravagantly, and build up debts. They may eat and sleep very little, and talk so quickly that it's difficult to understand them. They may be easily irritated and angry.
Some terms explained:
Bipolar manic depression-also called affective mood disorder involves both highs and lows and is the most common form of manic depression.
Unipolar manic depression – sometimes people are diagnosed with unipolar affective disorder because they experience the depressive phase without a manic period.
Hypomania – is a less severe form of mania, which is not usually followed by a major depressive episode.
What causes manic depression?
There are several different, even contradictory theories:
Genetic inheritance – there's statistical evidence that some people may be genetically more prone to developing manic depression. The parents, brothers, sisters and children of people with manic depression seem to have a 5 to 15 per cent chance of having it too. But no-one has identified a particular gene responsible for manic depression, and not all experts believe that genes play a part in the condition. It's generally agreed that genetic make-up alone can't cause the condition. It seems that the condition has to be triggered by something else, such a stressful event. Stressful life events – some people can link the start of their manic depression to a period of great stress – such as a relationship breakdown, money problems or a career change. Some psychiatrists believe that these events trigger off a biochemical imbalance in the brain.
Family background – some psychiatrists and psychotherapists believe manic depression can result from severe emotional damage caused in early life. Children who have been either over-protected or over-criticised may be more vulnerable to developing manic depression because, as adults, they may have a very fragile sense of self, and have difficulty containing strong feelings and emotions. Talking treatments, such as counselling, psychotherapy and cognitive behaviour therapy, could be benefical in such circumstances.
Life problems – it's possible that manic depression could be a reaction to overwhelming problems in everyday life. Mania could be a way of escaping unbearable depression. Constantly blaming other people and being highly irritable puts barriers up and could be the means of avoiding emotional dependence on friends and relatives. Again, talking treatments are thought to be helpful once the condition has stabilised.
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