Manic – bipolar depression facts and reality

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Title: Manic – bipolar depression facts and reality

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Author: McEvoy

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Manic – bipolar depression facts and reality

Copyright 2005 McEvoy

Manic depression - Bipolar disorder, also known as

manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes

unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to

function.

Some mornings can start with overriding feelings of joy,

elation and power. By the time the afternoon has arrived

this can shift to feelings of desperation, despair and

depression.

More than 2 million American adults, or about 1 percent of

the population have bipolar disorder, the percentage

figures are the same for the United Kingdom.

These figures are only an estimate, the true figures will

probably never be accurately known, this is probably due

the stigma attached to mental health issues and the signs

and symptoms not being correctly spotted by friends,

family, professionals and even the individual themselves.

It is fair to say that manic depression is under diagnosed.

Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode)

• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness

• Excessively " high, " overly good, euphoric mood

• Extreme irritability

• Racing thoughts and talking quickly, jumping from one

idea to another

• Distractibility, lack off concentration

• Little sleep needed

• Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers

• Poor judgment

• Spending sprees

• A lasting period of behaviour that is different from

usual

• Increased sexual drive

• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and

sleeping medications

• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behaviour

• Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with

three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly

every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable,

four additional symptoms must be present.

The above signs and symptoms of mania can be very difficult

to spot in an individual who has manic depression as all of

the EXACT symptoms and time frames may not be prevalent in

every person as each individual is unique.

A good example of this would be a rapid cycle manic

depressive who in the mornings is high and elated, followed

by despair and depression in the afternoons. This rapid

cycle could happen for 2 or 3 days then level off for a

relative period of calm for a few days before it starts

again.

Due to the stigma attached to mental health problems

individuals may try and mask their symptoms to avoid any

embarrassment they may feel. Thus making it even more

difficult to spot and diagnose.

Some of these symptoms of mania may be the only symptoms

that you see in a person who has manic depression, as they

are easily passed of as having a “larger than life

personality”

Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode)

• feeling sad, anxious, or empty mood

• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed,

including sex

• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being

" slowed down "

• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

• Restlessness or irritability

• Sleeping too much, or can't sleep

• Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain

• Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are

not caused by physical illness or injury

• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these

symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a

period of 2 weeks or longer.

A manic depressive will definitely have 5 of these

symptoms. This is truly the worst time for a manic

depressive, this is where the most support and help is

needed.

Again the diagnosis is not 100% correct, as some people

will have rapid cycles, i.e. High and elated in the

morning then desperation and depression in the afternoon,

these symptoms may only last a few days; sometimes they

last a few weeks and in some very bad cases months.

In some people however, symptoms of mania and depression

may occur together in what some people are calling a” mixed

bipolar state.”

Symptoms of a mixed state often include agitation, trouble

sleeping, and significant change in appetite, psychosis,

and suicidal thinking. A person may have a very sad,

hopeless mood while at the same time feeling extremely

energized.

So again this shows that manic depression or bipolar

disorder is not as straight forward as highs and lows.

Diagnosis of manic depression - Bipolar Disorder

Like other mental illnesses, bipolar disorder cannot yet be

identified physiologically—for example, through a blood

test or a brain scan. Therefore, a diagnosis of bipolar

disorder is made on the basis of symptoms, course of

illness, and, when available, family history.

Treatment of Bipolar Depression

It is absolutely vital that the correct medication is

administered once the diagnosis has taken place, as recent

research has indicated that people with bipolar disorder

are at risk of switching into mania or hypomania, or

developing rapid cycling, during treatment with incorrect

antidepressant medication.

Therefore, correct " mood-stabilizing " medications are

generally required, alone or in combination with the

correct antidepressants, to protect people with bipolar

disorder from this switch.

Lithium and valproate are the most commonly used

mood-stabilizing drugs today.

Side effects

As any person who is open about their Bipolar will tell

you, all of these medications have side effects these can

include:

• Weight gain

• Dependence on the medication

• Nausea

• Tremors

• Reduced sex drive or performance

• Anxiety

• Hair loss

• Movement problems

• Dry mouth

• Disturbed sleep

Alternative treatments

Herbal or natural supplements, such as St. 's wort

(Hypericum perforatum), have not been well studied, and

little is known about their effects on bipolar disorder.

Before trying herbal or natural supplements, it is

important to discuss them with your doctor.

There is evidence that St. 's wort can reduce the

effectiveness of certain medications. In addition, like

prescription antidepressants, St. 's wort may cause a

switch into mania in some individuals with bipolar

disorder, especially if no mood stabilizer is being taken.

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are being studied to

determine their usefulness, alone and when added to

conventional medications, for long-term treatment of

bipolar disorder.

One such study was carried out by Dr Stoll over a

four month period. The study was performed to examine

whether omega 3 fatty acids also have mood stabilizing

effects with people who have bipolar disorder.

He found that the omega 3 fatty acid patient group had a

significantly longer period of remission than the placebo

group.

In addition, for nearly every other outcome measure, the

omega3 fatty acid group performed better than the placebo

group.

With almost no adverse side effects apart from a slight

gastric upset. This was thought to be due to the large

doses of fish oil administered.

The study was published in the archives of general

psychiatry in May 1999. Since then far stronger

Pharmaceutical grades of omega 3 fish oil have been

developed and brought on to the world market so such large

doses need not be taken.

Conclusion

Manic depression – bipolar disorder is a condition that is

often under diagnosed and in some cases very difficult to

spot and treat correctly. A lot of people with this

condition will try and mask either their true feelings and

or symptoms due to the unfortunate stigma that is attached

to mental health. Receiving the correct diagnosis,

treatment and medication is vital if they are to stand any

chance of trying to live a normal life. It is also crucial

for friends and family to also try and understand this

condition as it can help them come to terms with certain

types of behaviour that are being displayed. As far as

alternative remedies go, to date our best bet is very

strong omega 3 fish oil as there are no side effects and it

is the only remedy that’s had any kind of scientific study

performed using people with our condition . It is also

safe to run along side any form of medication apart from

blood thinning medication.

About the Author:

Dave McEvoy: A great resource for high grade omega 3 Ethyl

EPA fish oil in a vegetable shell with a 90% concentrate of

EPA and Zero DHA visit http://www.mind1st.co.uk