Manic depression - what are the symptoms?

Manic depression - what are the symptoms?

Manic depression can be defined as a prolonged period of mood swings. One can experience these mood swings from very high to very low. The high degree is known as manic and the lower degree is known as depressive.

Bipolar disorder is another name for manic depressive illnesses. This phase is usually referred to as an individual's mood alternating between different “poles” of mania and depression.

Manic depression is not to be taken lightly. It is a serious disorder and requires serious professional and personal attention.

Manic depression can affect both men and women. There is no specific age at which this disease usually begins. However, experts believe that the onset of this disease occurs in late adolescence.

This disorder occurs in people regardless of age, race, social class and ethnic groups. Medical experts believe that this disease has a genetic link and even runs in families.

The disease affects not only the patient, but also the person caring for him. It is known that the immediate family suffers greatly. Here are some of the symptoms associated with this disorder:

a) Less sleep required.

b) increased energy; restlessness; Increased activity

c) poor judgment; Euphoric mood (excessively high); Issue sprees

d) Abuse of drugs such as cocaine, sleeping pills and alcohol

e) Switch from one idea to another very frequently

f) Tendency to be easily distracted; inability to concentrate well; Extreme irritability

g) speak quickly; Racing thoughts

h) aggressive behavior; Intrusive behavior; Provocative behavior

i) unrealistic belief in one's own abilities and strengths; Deny that anything is wrong

j) Sustained period of behavior that is quite different from usual

The symptoms of a low or “depressed” stage of manic depression:

a) thoughts of death; suicidal thoughts; Suicide attempts

b) restlessness; irritability

c) feeling of hopelessness; Extreme pessimism

d) sleeping too much; Inhibits sleep or insomnia

e) difficulty concentrating; Lack of memory

f) lack of energy; Loss of interest in pleasure activities

g) change in appetite; weight loss without effort; Weight gain

h) Difficulties in making decisions; A feeling of tiredness

i) feel guilty; Feeling of worthlessness: feeling of helplessness

j) chronic pain; Symptoms in the body not as a result of injury or illness

k) long-lasting mood of moroseness; Empty mood; Fear that lasts a long time

– Causes

There are various causes of manic depression. Here is a list of some causes that lead to manic depression:

a) Genetic factor

As mentioned earlier, manic depression tends to run in families. Chromosomes tend to have genetic abnormalities.

b) Fast biological clock

Hypothalamus, the center of the brain, displays a super-fast biological “clock”. The clock is actually a small group of nerves known as the supra-chiasmatic nucleus, or SCN. This affects the regulation of a person's daily life cycle and affects waking and sleeping.

c) Neurotransmitters

It is known that patients with manic depression have a higher vesicular monoamine transporter. It is a protein in the brain that is known to regulate neurotransmitters.

Other causes include abnormal brain activity and infectious agents such as viruses.

Inspired by Bertil Hjert