Manic Depression
Depressive and manic depressive illness are the two
major types of depressive illness, also known as affective disorders, or mood
disorders, because they primarily affect a person's mood. Different terms,
respectively, include unipolar and bipolar disorder. You may have heard of
other forms of depressive illness such as dysthymia, a type of chronic
moderate depression, or cyclothymia, a form of manic depression in which
the cycles (mood swings) are not quite as severe. In this booklet, we will
predominately discuss major depressive disorder and manic depression, which
encompasses symptoms of depression and mania or hypomania, a more moderate
syndrome than full-blown mania.
It is estimated that over 17.4 million adults in the U.S. suffer from an
affective disorder each year--that's one out of every seven people. If you
are not affected now, chances are that at some point in your life, you yourself
or someone you know will become affected. If you are a woman, you are twice as
likely as a man to experience major depression while manic depression occurs
equally among the sexes. Although these illnesses can occur at any age, many
have their onset within the 25-44 age range.
Where do these illnesses come from? Genetic, biochemical and environmental
factors can each play a role in onset and progression. While we all experience
occasional highs and lows, affective disorders are characterized by their
extremes in intensity and duration. Even at their most intense, the symptoms
are often mistaken for other medical problems or dismissed as a reflection of
someone's personality, age, social influence or background.
Research indicates that only one third of those with major depression will get
proper treatment, and two thirds of those with any kind of affective disorder
who do receive treatment will be misdiagnosed. These statistics reflect the
insidiousness of the illness and the importance of both public and physician
education. A lag in diagnosis and treatment could prove deadly; people with
severe, untreated depression have a suicide rate as high as 15 percent. In fact,
the number one cause of suicide in the U.S. is untreated depression.
Don't be overwhelmed by these sobering statistics. Of all psychiatric illnesses,
affective disorders are among the most responsive to treatment. If given proper
care, approximately 80 percent of patients with major depression demonstrate
significant improvement and lead productive lives. Although the treatment
success rate is not as high for bipolar disorder, a substantial number
experience a return to a higher quality of life.
It is crucial that you learn the symptoms and act early!
Symptoms of Depression
Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying spells
Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
Irritability, anger, worry, agitation, anxiety
Pessimism, indifference
Loss of energy, persistent lethargy
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness
Inability to concentrate, indecisiveness
Inability to take pleasure in former interests, social withdrawal
Unexplained aches and pains
Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
Symptoms of Mania
Heightened mood, exaggerated optimism and self confidence
Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
Grandiose delusions, inflated sense of self-importance
Excessive irritability, aggressive behavior
Increased physical and mental activity
Racing speech, flight of ideas, impulsiveness
Poor judgment, easily distracted
Reckless behavior such as spending sprees, rash business decisions, erratic driving, sexual indiscretions
In the most severe cases, hallucinations
Anyone experiencing four or more of the above symptoms of
either or both depression or mania should seek help if symptoms persist for
longer than two weeks.
The Cause of Affective Disorders: It's Not Just in Your Head
Research shows that some people may have a genetic predisposition
to affective disorders. If someone in your family has had such an illness, that does
not necessarily mean you will develop it, nor does it explain conclusively why you did.
It does increase your chances of experiencing depression of an endogenous nature
(biological in basis). This is commonly referred to as clinical depression to
distinguish it from short-term states of depressed mood or unhappiness. Even if
you don't have a genetic predisposition, your body chemistry can trigger the
onset of a depressive disorder, due to the presence of another illness, altered
health habits, substance abuse, or hormonal fluctuations.
Depression can also be triggered by distressing life events, resulting in reactive
depression. Losses and repeated disillusionment, from death to disappointment in love,
can cause anyone to feel depressed especially if they have not developed effective
coping skills. If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, maintaining or
increasing in intensity, this reactive depression may actually have evolved into
a clinical depression.
Regardless of its cause, the presence of depressive or manic depressive illness
indicates an imbalance in the brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. In other
words, the brain's electrical mood regulating system is not working as it should.
Proper treatment will vastly improve your level of functioning and can usually
restore you to your "old self." Many people require long-term, even life-long,
maintenance treatment which significantly decreases the likelihood of
recurrences.
Treatment for Depression
Successful treatment includes tissue cleansing, counseling,
dietary, lifestyle modifications
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