Manic depression, also known as bipolar depression is the teeter-totter version of depression. Manic depression has two sides—the depressive state and the manic or hypomanic state. The up side of manic depression can vary depending on the type of manic depression. Bipolar I manic depression is more severe than bipolar II. Bipolar I manic depression sufferers swing from depression to full-blown mania, which can often be a psychotic, violent state, and at the very least is usually self-destructive. Bipolar II manic depression sufferers swing from depression to what’s known as hypomania, a revved up state that’s very productive. A third common form of manic depression is known as cyclothymia, which is a rapid cycling of mood extremes. I suffer from bipolar II manic depression. I’m very familiar with it’s symptoms, but I also understand the symptoms of other forms of bipolar depression.
Bipolar depression mania symptoms range in severity, but the type of symptoms are common to both mania and hypomania. Here’s a list of the common symptoms of the up side of bipolar depression. The list is in increasing order of seriousness and destructiveness: o Needing less sleep. o Needing or wanting less food. o Feeling highly optimistic (more so than usual). o Feeling euphoric for no apparent reason. o Being impulsive. o Heightened senses. o Becoming very creative. o Ideas buzzing 100 miles an hour. o Coming up with lots of grand schemes. o Inflated self esteem or ego. o Wanting a lot more sex. o Being hyperactive. o Really fast talking and talking a lot (more than usual). o Increased irritability and/or given to outbursts of anger. o Spending large amounts of money quickly. o Unrealistic thinking. o Socially inappropriate behavior. o Delusional thinking. o Drug or alcohol abuse. The good part of the manic upside really is great. I know. When you’re in the more benign phase of mania or you’re hypomanic, the world is a wonderful place. Your brain is alive with ideas, and you’re full of creativity. You’re charming and fun and full of energy. You feel great and powerful. You are high on life. It’s a fantastic feeling. Unfortunately, that fantastic feeling of the upside of bipolar disorder has a cost. This is especially true of bipolar I manic depression. When mania gets serious, you start getting destructively impulsive. You start spending too much money or getting promiscuous or you get destructive or violet. Manic symptoms often require hospitalization or at the very least psychiatric help. The other problem with the upside of bipolar depression is that it always comes with a downside. After the high comes the fall.
Bipolar manic depression goes from up to down. On the down side, bipolar manic depression’s symptoms are the same as clinical depression:
When you swing from up to down and back up again, you’re suffering from manic depression or bipolar depression.
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