Friday, October 25, 2013

Bipolar Manic Depression - Understanding and Educating Yourself About This Condition


One of the many serious psychiatric disorders out there is called bipolar manic depression. An individual who has been properly diagnosed with it suffers from depression and hypo mania. The length of the cycle from one extreme to the other varies for each individual as does the severity of each episode. There is no cure for this condition but with the right combination of therapy and medication it can be controlled.

Cycling is the process of moving from one end of the spectrum to the other in reference to the person's mood. While the person is in the mania stage they can be quite impulsive and engage in risky behaviors including driving too fast, spending money they don't have, and being violent towards others.

As they move into the depression end of the spectrum the moods change dramatically. They often seek isolation from their friends and family. They also find it very hard to complete routine daily tasks. It is very hard for a person with bipolar manic depression to maintain employment or relationships if they aren't getting the right treatment for it.

It is difficult to understand just how much this condition affects a person. They are unable to lead a normal life personally or professionally. They have three times the rate for divorce as the rest of society.

Research has shown there is a pattern of heredity factors involving bipolar manic depression. This type of mental illness often runs in families, affecting many individuals so some people may be afraid to get married for to have children because of their family history with it.

Heredity isn't the only factor that can lead to this condition though. Suffering from a very traumatic experience including an accident or the loss of someone close to you can trigger manic episodes. It is believed the psychological aspects of bipolar manic depression are what causes the cycling to occur.

Many people either don't realize they have a serious problem or they refuse to seek medical attention for it. Either way a person diagnosed with this type of mental illness that doesn't get treatment is at a very high risk of committing suicide. Statistics show that 12% of those who are diagnosed will succeed in killing themselves. It is believed the numbers are much higher though because of the number of people who don't seek treatment.

It is important to pay close attention to the symptoms of someone you know who may be suffering from bipolar manic depression. Encourage them to get the medical treatment that is available. You also need to help them cope with the changes taking place around them so they won't trigger further manic episodes.

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