Manic Depression, Bipolar Disorder

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Manic Depression
(Bipolar Disorder)

Bipolar depression is also called bipolar disorder, manic-depression, and manic-depressive illness. When a person has bipolar disorder, his moods shift between two extremes. For a period of time the person experiences the symptoms of depression (the depressive phase), then his mood will shift into a period of mania (euphoria). In between these extremes, there may be a period of normal functioning. Mania is characterized by extreme elation and self-importance. During a manic phase a person will feel extreme irritability for people and occurrences that are felt to stand in his way. Energy, joy, and self-esteem are raised to irrational levels and a delusional pattern often follows.

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Two to three million people suffer from bipolar depression. It usually begins during adolescence or early adulthood. Substance abuse and other mental illnesses are common in people with this disorder. In some people, bipolar disorder will follow a long course of major depression. On average, people diagnosed with bipolar disorder will experience roughly four episodes of mania or depression the ailment over the course of their lifetime.

What It's Like Living With Bipolar Disorder

Joseph is feeling on top of the world. He has just come off a period where it was so difficult for him to do anything that he wanted to do. In fact, for a few months, he didn’t do anything. He just stayed in the house, most of the time sleeping.

It is certainly different now. In fact, Joseph is almost always out of the house. He only needs two to three hours sleep a night and he feels that he has the energy of a bull.

Joseph is spending most of his time on a new project. He is working on a new business venture that he knows is going to make him a fortune. Somewhere in the back of his mind he remembers that he has tried to start new businesses on numerous occasions and they have always resulted in financial disaster. However, those failures are in the back of Joseph’s mind now because he knows that this idea is a sure winner.

He is spending most of his days trying to convince banks to lend him the money. He cannot understand why the banks that he has visited so far seem so negative, but Joseph is sure that he will find a bank soon that will advance him the large sum of money that he needs. He has spared no expense in this effort. Joseph has gone to the best stores and purchased a new wardrobe. He has ordered the latest in computer equipment. He also has hired a commercial realtor to find him modern offices. Joseph has not told his family about his new idea because they always rain on his parade. They are negative about all of his ideas. But he knows that they do not have the vision that he has and that they will eat their words when they see the millions that he is going to make with his new venture.

We have an entire community dedicated to Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) here at HealthyPlace.com. You can find out all about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and what life is like with Manic Depression by clicking here. Go here for an overview of Manic Depressive Illness. Also visit the NIMH site at HealthyPlace.com for an extensive overview of bipolar disorder.

Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder)

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Manic Depression
(Bipolar Disorder)