Identifying the Symptoms of Manic Depression

Manic depression is a mood disorder. It is a continuing disorder that requires treatment. Since it is a mood disorder it impacts a person’s energy, mood, speech, thinking, appetite, activity levels and their ability to make good judgments.  Manic depression symptoms are not hard to see in someone who has manic depression. Symptoms will be marked with high peaks and low valleys and an individual can cycle in and out of these mood swings repeatedly. Some people who have manic depression daily. Others may only have them every few months. Many people do not know that manic depression symptoms usually first arise when a person is a young adult. They may even start to appear when a person is still a child.

Here are some of the manic depression symptoms that a person may exhibit when he or she is in the up or manic phase of the disorder:

* The person feels very optimistic about life.

* The person seems very happy.

* The person may show signs of irritability, anger or aggression.

* The person may be overly provocative.

* The person may be unpredictable and reckless.

* The person may become involved in activities which are dangerous or which could hurt him or her.

* The person has a lot of energy, mentally and physically.

* The person’s creativity or intelligence may seem to peak.

* The person may talk in extremes or very fast. 

* The person does not seem to sleep or he or she has a marked decrease in the amount of sleep that he or she needs.

* The person’s ego may enlarge.

* The person may have hallucinations.

* The person may be very sociable.

* The person is easily distracted from what they are doing.

* The person may seem restless.

* The person is not aware that they are in a manic phase or that their behavior is out of the ordinary.  

Here are the manic depression symptoms that a person may exhibit when he or she is in the down or depressive phase of the disorder:

* The person may be very sad.

* The person may cry a lot.

* The person may feel helpless.

* The person may feel hopeless. 

* The person may feel worthless.

* The person seems to have a very low self-esteem.

* The person may have a “flat” mood.

* The person seems to be unable to find any pleasure in their life.

* The person seems tired and has a lack of energy.

* The person has a decreased interest in sex.

* The person may feel angry.

* The person may feel guilty.

* The person may feel anxious.

* The person may talk less and their speech may be slow.

* The person may be unable to make decision because he or she has a hard time concentrating.

* The person may become isolated and withdraws from people.

* The person may develop suicidal thoughts and tendencies.

It is important that people who have manic depression are surrounded by a loving support system. It is crucial that people are watchful of a person’s manic depression symptoms so that help can be given to him or her if needed. It is important that individuals who have manic depression are routinely seen by their physician and that they stay on their medications. Many times people will get off of their medication if there is a lull between their mood swings or if they are in the manic phase of their disorder and they believe all is well with them.