How to Tell If You Suffer from Manic Depression
Manic depression is a condition that confuses many people. Depression is usually linked to feelings of sadness and dread, and this is often the case. There are many kinds of depression that show up in a number of different ways. Manic depression is one type that manifests itself in some surprising ways. Here we will take a look at some of the signs that could indicate you are suffering from this condition.
What Is It?
Manic depression is also known as bipolar disorder. When people hear this it clears up a lot of the confusion about the condition. Most people have heard of bipolar disorder and have a general idea of what its symptoms are. This condition is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain, and should not be left untreated. Basically, this condition is characterized by a series of highs and lows and severe mood swings from one extreme to the other.
Signs and Symptoms
There are a number of signs that can alert you to the fact that you or one of your loved ones may be suffering from manic depression. The most common symptom of people who are diagnosed with manic depression is a feeling that their mind is racing. Basically, they experience a flood of different thoughts and ideas at the same time. They cannot control or make sense of these thoughts. They find it difficult to focus on one idea long enough to resolve it and move on to the next one.
An accelerated heartbeat is another common symptom of manic depression. Anxiety and depression often go hand in hand, and a racing heartbeat is a classic symptom of anxiety. When this symptom is experienced, it can actually intensify the severity of any other symptoms you may be experiencing.
Some other common symptoms of the highs associated with this condition include the following: an inability to relax or stop doing a certain task is a classic example of this. Others include going long periods of time without sleep, aggressive or anxious behavior, poor judgment, restlessness, and unusually happy or exited moods. These are just some of the common signs of manic depression. They all point to the highs that are experienced with this condition.
The behavior of a person suffering from this condition can switch rather quickly to the exact opposite of the symptoms we just mentioned. Long lasting periods of sadness and lethargy are the most common. Decreased activity and interest in the things that they usually enjoy are other signs. It may also show up in various physical signs, such as sudden changes in weight and appearance. The mood swings will sometimes get severe enough to cause someone to attempt or commit suicide.
As you can see, this is a very serious condition that can prove to be life threatening. If you or someone you know is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should seek treatment as soon as possible. This condition will not go away on its own and should never be left untreated.
