manic depression
What is Depression » manic depression » manic depression disorder

manic depression disorder

Read and learn more about manic depression disorder. For more, visit the Depression website DepressionLearning.com

Q: What is the difference between Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression?
Every time I search for facts on Manic Depression, I get stuff on Bipolar Disorder instead, so is it the same thing?

A: I believe mental health professionals no longer use the term manic-depression, now it is officially called bipolar disorder.

Occasionally the DSM changes the names of certain disorders. For example there is no longer such a thing as ADD, now there is only ADHD with or without hyperactivity.

However, once a certain name has been used for so long, the name kinda sticks.

Q: Any words of advice or comfort for the husband of a Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) sufferer?
I have been married to my wife Josie for just over 7 months. She suffers from Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression), though only really suffers the “manic” cycles. She is currently displaying her trigger symptoms, which are “suspicious thoughts” where she thinks she is in some kind of spy story. Although I thought I’d be able to be strong for her, I’ve found myself very scared and worried.
I am obviously encouraging her to keep the specialist up to date, especially while she is aware of it, in the hope that they can suggest medication etc to stop it ballooning into anything as serious as she has suffered in years gone by.
Just wondered if there was anyone out there with any words of wisdom?
Thanks in advance for your time.
Martin
You may have to forgive my spelling here, but my wife’s medication is Lithium and Olanzapine. The latter has been increased in dose recently, as she is also taking beta-blockers to combat recent migraines.

A: I really feel for you, my husband has bi-polar and we have been married for 17 years.
I found a great book that has helped me to understand the illness a little better, if you can get a copy, it is well worth the read. “Loving Someone with Bi-Polar Disorder” helping & understanding your partner, By Julie A Fast and John D Preston, PSY.D.

Staying on meds and taking at the right time and right dose does not always keep someone with bi-polar stable, it will help flaten out the mood swings but not stop them altogether. If that is the case for your wife, you should both sit down with her doctor and work out a plan of action for when the cycle starts to change.

Q: Are manic depression and Bipolar disorder really the same thing?
I was diagnosed with Manic Depression about three years ago. I stopped taking the meds after six months because I didn’t like what they do to me.

I have been having difficulty with my MD a lot lately–it’s been worse. Mood swings for no causes whatsoever. I was googling some alternatives to prescribed medication for Manic Depression and everything that came up was Bipolar disorder.

I knew that the two were similar–but are they really the same thing?

A: Yes, they are two names for the same disorder. Manic Depression is the old name for what is now called Bipolar Disorder. Professionals chose to discard the name “Manic Depression” or “Manic-Depressive Disorder” in favor of Bipolar Disorder because it is more accurate. Not all forms of bipolar cause manic episodes – bipolar II does not have manic features, but instead the patient suffers from “hypomanic” or “sub-manic” episodes. Cyclothymia also has these hypomanic features, as well as less profound depressive episodes. Because of the different varieties of the disorder, the name “Manic Depression” was misleading and inaccurate, so it was changed to Bipolar Disorder.

Hope that helps clear things up!

Q: What percent of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder/manic depression are girls?
I’m asking specifically about the diagnosis, not the percent of people estimated to have that…. Yes, there’s a reason for that. E-mail me if it’s bothering you, I don’t mind explaining it.

A: It is about 50%
Boys and girls are equally affected.

Q: What is the difference between borderlne personality disorder and bipolar disorder (manic depression)?
The two conditions are supposed to be separate, but if you look at a basic oversight of them (i.e. Wikipedia or similar) they seem extremely similar. I was just wondering if anybody with any knowledge about these matters would be able to point out what the differences are between these two conditions.
Thanks in advance for any answers.
Whoops, I obviously slightly mis-spelt ‘borderline’ in the title there.

A: Bipolar, or manic depression, is a disorder of mood. The person has mood swings which can be sudden and very forceful. Their behaviour can become quite out of control when they are ‘high’ because they are elated and thinking very fast. They can suffer extremely severe depressive bouts.
Borderline personality disorder is quite different, although the person may present initially with depression. It is a developmental disorder where the person typically has a poor sense of themselves and their behaviour in relation to other people. They find it difficult to form and sustain relationships because they find it hard to compromise and often have a poor anger management skills. They tend to blame other people for their problems and find it difficult to accept that their own behaviour affects outcomes. So they are often volatile in mood which is where the confusion occurs, but they do not have mood disorder.
Hope that helps.

Q: How can you tell the difference between hormone imbalance and bi-polar disorder (manic depression)?
I have a relative who is bi-polar, but how can you really tell the difference between that and a hormone imbalance? I was reading stuff about them online and they seemed similar.
Okay, no, not really! I am not quite that addicted to y!a. LOL –I had a clone and was trying to trip her up by adding things to my name. :)
it’s not official, but wouldn’t that be cool?

A: A blood test can indicate if there is a hormone imbalance.

Q: Bipolar Manic Depression Disorder ?
I was just told that i have Bipolar Manic Depression Disorder (BPMDD) and i am worried because i feel as if i am broken. I am worried because I don’t know anyone else my age who has it.

A: I’m 24. I have it.

Q: What is the best way to help someone with Bi-Polar Disorder/Manic Depression?
When the local community support team has been disbanded through lack of funds and the family are left to cope on their own?

A: I have been around many bipolar people in my life. My foster daughter is just one of them. The best thing to do for them is to chart EVERYTHING. Keep record of when moods go up and down. This is the most valuable tool for a doctor to have to help.

For a support team, there is a great Web site that may help. The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance www.dbsalliance.org

Good luck. And remember…..you aren’t alone. There are people out there dealing with the exact same thing that you are. Stay strong. people with Bipolar Disorder have a chemical imbalance, they aren’t doing the things they do on purpose. (I have to remind myself sometimes!)

Q: How can I get diagnosed for Bipolar Disorder/manic depression?
How can I get the medication if I’m under 18 and don’t want my parents to know.

I don’t plan on abusing the drugs. I just need something to help with my mood swings and other symptoms

A: If you have enough money to pay for it yourself you can go see any psychiatrist yourself (initial appointment costs about $300)….. The drugs for Bipolar are not tyopically abused because most of them do not get you high……

Everyone has all the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder……. because everyone has mood swings, momentary loss of judgment, likes to go shopping, likes sex, feels down sometimes, gets angry now and then and is hyper on occasion. The difference is that all of these symptoms in Bipolar are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function. Think of a pole (biPOLEr) with 0 at the center (0 being normal) and 10 at one end (manic) and -10 at the other (deep depression). Most people have swings but stay within 3 to -3. I have fairly severe Bipolar 1 but since my psychosis is mild I go from -9 to 9…. Also depression that comes and goes is not bipolar but just recurring depression, you have to have mania for it to be Bipolar….. you have to go to both ends of the pole.

Rapidly changing moods or becoming angry or sad easily is not Bipolar. That is just having emotions. People with Bipolar Disorder do not change emotions quickly, they go through long periods of deep depression followed by long periods of mania or elevated mood, long periods meaning weeks or months or years. Mood effects everything about you…. your energy level, self esteem, sleep patterns, appetite, sexuality, emotional response, etc…..

This is what it is like to have Bipolar disorder:

Depression – too tired to get out of bed, shower, even to brush my teeth. Cry all the time, sleep 16 hours a day. Feelings of self loathing and guilt that drive me to think of suicide but I’m to tired to even think about how to go about killing myself. It makes you feel small and worthless and completely insignificant. It makes you think about how big the world is and how meaningless you are in it….. and it refuses to let you have any good thoughts or see any good things…. when you look in the mirror all you see is pain, you don’t even see yourself, you don’t taste your favorite foods anymore, see that flowers are blooming, whether or not the sun is out, you become so inward that you hardly even notice your surroundings….. You don’t even feel love for people anymore…. positive thoughts are just not possible…… it is a deep dark hole with no way out and no light for hope…. and most of all it makes you feel sooooo alone. And even if there were someone who cared about you they would be better off if you killed yourself……. because all you will ever be is a burden……. this can last from a couple of weeks to a couple of years.

Mania – Way too happy! PARTY GIRL! love drink and drugs. Talk really fast and pressured because my thoughts are going faster than my mouth can keep up with. Hypersexual – like I sleep with strangers and guys I just met on the internet or I masturbate 10 times a day. I once became bisexual because there were twice as many people to sleep with. down load porn and spend tons of money on sex toys. Spending sprees….. I once spent my mortgage money on african violets, yep, $1500 on African violets (then I got depressed and let them all die). Quit my job because I wanted my vacation pay for lottery tickets and I was so convinced I would win that I started shopping and writing bad checks because I’d be rich as soon as the numbers were drawn. Decided that I could replace the furnace in my home by myself… I mean how hard can it be….. Only sleep 2 or maybe 3 hours a night for months on end and never feel tired. In the end I was unemployed, $30,000 in debt, and had almost lost my home, which needed a new furnace because I had removed the old one.. or parts of it anyway. This can last for months.

I also have mixed states when I am depressed and manic at the same time which are truly the worst… By body and mind are depressed but there is this undercurrent of energy running all the time….. I’m highly emotional but the emotions tend to be negative (guilt and anger) I have intrusive thoughts and urges to mutilate myself (like wanting to stick my hands in the garbage disposal or cooking them on the BBQ), and I also have psychotic episodes where I hallucinate. This is when I am most suseptible to suicide because I am depressed, wanting to hurt myself, and I have the mental energy to plan and carry it out.

When I am on meds I am a normal 45 year old single mom of 3 and no one would even guess that

Q: Are bipolar disorder and manic depression the same thing?
Can some explain what manic depression actually means?

A: yes they are the same disorders just with and “updated” name. manic depression/bipolar is basically when you have periods of hyperness (mania) and periods of depression. sometimes this periods can last hours days or months depending on the type of bipolar.

Q: Manic depression or bipolar disorder?
Whats the difference between manic depression and bipolar disorder? I’ve done the research on both disorders and I seem to be suffering from both. What is the best medication to help bipolar disorder and manic depression? This is taking over my life and I need a good medication to help me.

A: manic depression is also known as bipolar, here is a site on depression and antidepressant as well, hope it helps:

Q: Is it possible that ADHD could actually be Manic Depression Disorder?
My boyfriend of 5 years has been on medication since he was 14. He started out on Ritalin, because his school said he had ADHD. I have also had alot of experience with medication in my own life, and always lived with and known people with OCD, Manic Depression, MPD, etc… Currently he is on Zyprexa, Paxil and Adderal. Paxil, as we all know is for SAD, which I also have, but am on a different medication for. I have had a lot of time to, well, self diagnose him, and I believe he is Manic Depressive with some OCD tendencies. I feel his ADHD was imporperly diagnosed, because schools say everyone has it. His ups and downs are consitent with MD, like one minute he will be up and excited, and the next, staring off into space, and become depressed. I have never thought he was on the right combo of meds, but of course his doctors disagree, and I think its just because he has been on those meds for so long and they are afraid to change them. Any opinions on ADHD vs. MD?
Also, he is 24 now. His Zyprexa makes him lazy and moody, while the Adderall is sposed to bring him up. Now the Adderall is a form of speed, in prescription form. I hate the way it makes him, because once he needs more, he becomes rude and beligerant. I know all about with drawls, I myself have battled with drugs, and overcome. Anyhow, the Zyprexa he is on, sposedly for blood pressure to control his temper. However, once he takes it, he gets extremely lathargic. I know drowsiness is a side effect, but I dont feel he needs to be on this medication. I think the combo of all the meds hes on are contradicting eachother completely. I am looking for a professional opinion, and someone to maybe explain things to a little further to get the best answer.
Also, he is 24 now. His Zyprexa makes him lazy and moody, while the Adderall is sposed to bring him up. Now the Adderall is a form of speed, in prescription form. I hate the way it makes him, because once he needs more, he becomes rude and beligerant. I know all about with drawls, I myself have battled with drugs, and overcome. Anyhow, the Zyprexa he is on, sposedly for blood pressure to control his temper. However, once he takes it, he gets extremely lathargic. I know drowsiness is a side effect, but I dont feel he needs to be on this medication. I think the combo of all the meds hes on are contradicting eachother completely. I am looking for a professional opinion, and someone to maybe explain things to a little further to get the best answer. I know that ADHD causes moods to go from one to another, but like I mentioned, its not like hell be all jumping around and then crash, its the same as my mom gets, and she is also a MD.

A: I was misdiagnosed at about the same age he was with ADHD. I am currently 24 years old, and wasn’t correctly diagnosed as a bi-polar manic depressive until I was 18. It is a definite possibility that he has been misidagnosed, and my doctor says that it happens frequently in teenagers because most parents think the mood swings are just part of normal teenage angst. My parents refused to let doctors put me on meds while I was a kid, so I was a hell raiser, that’s for sure. I was always in trouble at school, and I think just about all of my teachers were ready to kill me by the time summer came around. When I hit 18 and finally got a doctor that diagnosed me with bi-polar instead of ADHD, he started trying me on different meds until he found a good combination for me at that time. After a while they didn’t work anymore, and they made me feel like a zombie so I quit taking them. It could be that that’s what’s going on with his current meds. They just aren’t working for him the right way anymore, and he may need to ask his doc for a change. Either way, he really needs to talk to his doc about all of this and see what he/she has to say about it. If you don’t think he would be upset, ask him if you could go to the doctor with him so that you can express your concerns as well. An extra opinion from someone who spends so much time with him could never hurt. Good luck.

Q: what is the difference between bipolar disorder and manic depression?
also, are there reliable tests to test you on both?

A: No difference they are the same thing.

Q: Which medications are most commonly prescribed these days for bi polar disorder or manic depression?
and which strengths are usually given first time?

how is this adjusted and how does it make the person feel and think differantly?

do many people not like taking their medication?

why is this?

please explain and legal consequences if they dont.
also, a further question, if anyone knows, is how do these medications affect your ability to feel or get angry?,( for people who have anger issues.)

please explain.

A: I take a medication that is an anti convulsant … basically when used for psychological reasons, it is for people who are MOSTLY BIPOLAR. SOMETIMES they are used for people with treatment resistant depression.

I take lamictal, for example. They haven’t determined whether I have bipolar, but if I do it would be type II. They think if it is not bipolar, which I do not think it is, it is treatment resistant depression.

Basically, these meds are mood stabilizers… they help people feel more in the middle instead of feeling too high and happy and risky or too low and suicidal.

I don’t know if many people do not like taking their medication. I don’t know of many people who LIKE to take pills.. no one really wants to have to be on medication, but people who want to get better realize they need to at least give it a try.

Sometimes people will not take these medications because of the side effects such as hairloss or weight gain, liver toxicity, etc.

I take lamictal, which has given me no side effects and frequently does not give any side effects.

I suppose these medications would help people who have anger issues or have problems controlling their moods… since it helps stabilize your mood more.

I don’t think it makes the person THINK differently, only you can change your thinking, and only therapy can help that. Medications like this can only help you CONTROL your moods better, help you from going too low and crying all the time and feeling suicidal.. etc

Q: whats the best way to deal with having bipolar disorder / manic depression ?
i have recently been told i suffer from bipolar disorder is there any tips people can give me on how to handle it im a bit scared .
becase i was resently diagnosed and also suffer from anorexia nervosa it makes it slightly harder

A: Ok try This

I have come up with seven ways to assist you in helping to eliminate or reduce your depression.

1) Eat properly : This means, most of all, remember TO eat! With depression, it seems that you either don’t want to eat at all or you gorge yourself constantly! The main thing that is important is that you eat healthy nutrients for your body in order for it to help to get back into balance. If you have trouble eating large meals then eat small meals divided up during the day. Remember to eat green vegetables, chicken, fish etc. You need your protein and especially your vitamin B which helps with stress. You can also take a supplement if your doctor doesn’t contraindicate it.

2) Get enough sleep: Again, with depression, usually the norm is that you either sleep too little or too much. What we are looking for here is a happy medium! Both too little and too much sleep can make you feel even more depressed! If you aren’t tired or you have repetitive thoughts running around in your head, try to read prior to going to bed, watch TV, exercise before bed so that you are tired. Take a hot bath, have your husband or partner give you a massage, use relaxation techniques. Try anything. Remember, don’t lie awake in bed if you can’t sleep. Get up and do something and then try lying down again. That way you only associate bed with sleep.

3) Get outside: Why? because that puts you back in the world of the living! It is especially helpful for me to go out to the woods and take in all of the scenery with all of the sights and sounds. There is something about hearing birds chirping that helps. Sunshine helps depression so get out in the sun and let it do it’s work! Breathe in the fresh air. Even if you have no desire to get off of your sofa or out of your bed, believe me, I have been there and I understand, trust me, you absolutely need to get outside! Go do an errand that needs to be done, even if it is just a small one. You CAN do it if you try!

4) Exercise: Ok, I KNOW that you have heard this one! I used to think “yeah, right! I can’t even get the strength to stand up from my chair but you want me to exercise?!!” I hear you loud and clear, but before you completely disregard it, let me inform you that exercise releases endorphins that naturally reduce depression so that it scientifically does help you! When I say exercise, I don’t mean that you have to start an aerobics class or anything that intense!! I am talking about just walking around the block to start with..or as far as you can tolerate the first time. Try to increase your endurance and distance every time you walk. You can also try the Wii fitness, if you have it. It can be quite helpful because it offers Yoga as an exercise, which I happen to use. The main point is get your body moving! It may be painful at first..but you definitely will see a difference in the end.

5) Use Relaxation Techniques: If you have not learned how to relax or any easy relaxation techniques, there are many videos out there that will walk you through a full body relaxation and it is something that you can also do for yourself. One example of this is to start at the top of your body, ( your head) tense by the count of three and relax by the count of three, and continue this with every muscle of your body down to your toes until you feel physically relaxed.
Relaxation also applies to whatever it is you do that is your passion. You may not be “feeling” it right now, but attempt to try it. Going through the motions can sometimes be helpful. Write in a journal, paint, go fishing, listen to music, dance…whatever it is to you that can give you peace of mind, even for a moment. Go to your “place of peace” or an imaginary place that you feel safe, secure and free of stress. Basically, it means try to imagine yourself in a place where you feel the most comfortable and safe. Imagine it and memorize it to the fullest detail. This will be helpful for you when you get stressed out. You can mentally take yourself back to that place quickly with practice!

6) Pet a pet: Sound simple? Well, it is! Research has shown that people who have pets are less stressed. Think about how relaxing it is to pet a cat or dog. They love you unconditionally and only want to please you. What more could you want? More and more hospitals, nursing homes, etc. are allowing “pet therapy” for their residents because they realize it’s value. Try it for yourself. You will be glad you did!

7) Act “As if..”: Most people who are in any type of recovery program knows only too well what this saying means! To explain it.. it means even if you are feeling completely depressed, try as hard as you can to act “as if” you aren’t depressed. Go through the motions of your daily life. It is important to keep up your routine. Depressed people tend to get out of their normal routine and find it difficult to resume it sometimes. This does not mean that you will automatically feel completely wonderful and not depresse

Related Posts

Write a comment