Depression Information

How Do You Know if You Have Manic-Depression


Nancy was doing very well until about two years ago when Phil, her boyfriend of 9 years, broke-up with her. It was a difficult moment for her especially after she learned that Phil eventually married her cousin. Since then, Nancy had deteriorated. One evening, she was involved in a motor vehicular accident because she was driving fast and recklessly in a quiet suburban neighborhood.

During interrogation, the cops noted that Nancy was talking rapidly and nobody could interrupt her. Also, she was making jokes and laughing so loud. She further indicated to them that she was on her way to meet the President and his top officials about her invention that could cure the oil crunch. She eventually ended up in the emergency room where she was diagnosed and treated for bipolar disorder after intensive evaluation.

Bipolar disorder or manic-depression is manifested by highs and lows. When a patient like Nancy is on the manic side, there is a persistent feeling of euphoria or irritability associated with lack of need for sleep, excessive energy, agitation, fast and loud speech, increase in goal-directed activities such as spending sprees and establishing businesses with no appropriate plan, and hypersexuality.

Patients with this disorder develop poor judgment and impulsivity. They become irritable and can lash out easily even if not provoked. Some patients have delusions of grandeur. When this happens, patients think that they have special powers, talents, and influence.

When not manic, patients either feel normal or depressed. Depression in bipolar disorder has the same manifestation as major depression that consists of feelings of sadness associated with neurovegetative signs and symptoms such as inability to sleep, eat, and concentrate. Energy level is also impaired. In addition, patients experience a feeling of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness. Suicidal ideation may ensue.

For individuals who develop mania, does it always mean that they suffer from bipolar disorder?

Not necessarily. Mania can be caused by various medical and neurologic conditions. For instance, multiple sclerosis and stroke can present with manic symptoms. Moreover, medications and street drugs may precipitate mania. Steroids, cocaine, and amphetamine are some examples. Even some antidepressants can induce mania.

So when a person shows mania, the physician usually does intensive evaluation to rule out medical, neurologic, and medication-induced conditions before diagnosing bipolar disorder. This process is important because the treatment varies depending upon the cause. Once other conditions are ruled out, then bipolar disorder can be safely diagnosed and treated.

Copyright © 2004. Dr. Michael G. Rayel - author (First Aid to Mental Illness-Finalist, Reader's Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: An EQ Game. For info, visit http://www.oikosgame.com and http://www.soardime.com


MORE RESOURCES:

WHDH-TV

Atlantic hurricane season's 13th tropical depression forms off ...
CNN - 2 hours ago
MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- The 13th tropical depression of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season formed Monday in the Bay of Campeche, just off Mexico's Yucatan ...
Depression may form in Mexico's Bay of Campeche - NHC Reuters India
New Tropical Depression forms near Mexico Tampa Bay's 10
Tropical Depression 13 Swirls Near Mexico Central Florida News 13|
Reuters AlertNet - BYM News (press release)
all 1,189 news articles


Many Military Installations Worldwide Participate in National ...
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
Command Sergeant Major Samuel M. Rhodes, Sr. from Fort Benning, Georgia, speaks to soldiers about his experience with depression and PTSD in order to ...


Poll: 60% say depression 'likely'
CNNMoney.com - 1 hour ago
Poll finds 6 of 10 believe a depression is somewhat or very likely - seeing 25% unemployed and millions homeless and hungry. By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.com ...
Report: Majority says depression is likely USA Today
all 2 news articles


Times Online

Could Obama be the new Roosevelt?
Times Online, UK - 22 hours ago
These were no more than village halts on the railroad to depression. However, we do know when the last global banking crisis was turned round, ...
Then & now San Diego Union Tribune
More Bank, Less Bucks: A Four Point Plan for the Rescue RGE Monitor
Does the US face Great Depression II? Hindu
USA Today - Dividend.com
all 113 news articles


AFP

No depression, major recession, from US finance crisis: Bill Gates
AFP - 18 hours ago
"It looks like the economy may go down somewhat, but nothing like a big recession or a depression," he added. On some experts' misgivings about the US ...
Bill Gates: US financial crisis won't lead to end of capitalism ... Jerusalem Post
all 77 news articles


Signs of depression
Inquirer.net, Philippines - 57 minutes ago
So what is depression? Affecting 121 million people worldwide, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2020 depression will become the most ...
'Nothing is all in the mind' Inquirer.net
all 2 news articles


BYU joins national day of testing for depression
BYU Newsnet, UT - 3 hours ago
By Jorge Torres - 6 Oct 2008 According to Mental Health America, clinical depression is a common medical illness affecting more than 19 million American ...


Cramer: Preventing Great Depression II
TheStreet.com - Oct 5, 2008
Keep the coming depression -- no, it won't be a mere recession -- shorter than the Great Depression. With that low bar in mind, let me tell you what I would ...
Value Investing 101: Wachovia TheStreet.com
all 77 news articles


Great Depression survivors worried but don't see history repeating
Sun-Sentinel.com, FL - 11 hours ago
But is this economic meltdown anything like the Great Depression? "No, this is nothing," said Boca Raton resident Mary Walsh, who at 96 has vivid memories ...


Depression screening day Wednesday
The Courier News, IL - 9 hours ago
270 N. Grove Ave., marking National Depression Screening Day. That there is a need for such a day should come as no surprise. "It's gotten to the point that ...
GSU National Depression Screening Week eNews Park Forest
all 2 news articles

Depression - Google News

home | site map
Web Site Development - Search Engine Marketing: Dream Team Media