Manic depression is one of the diseases of the human psyche that occurs quite often. This disorder is characterized by a frequent sharp change in the depressed (depressive) state to the excited (manic) one.
This disease is very often found in a latent form, and then it is almost impossible to diagnose. Even a pronounced form of the disease does not always prompt the patient himself or his relatives to go to the doctor, which is completely in vain: with proper treatment, the patient will be able to feel better, and staying at home he can harm both himself and the people around him.
Unfortunately, even at present, the reasons why manic depression develops are almost unknown. It is proved that the tendency to this mental disorder can be inherited (for example, from grandmother to grandson), and, if there are factors favorable for the development of the disease, it can manifest itself at any time, but only after reaching the age of thirteen.
It is also known that manic depression most often develops on the basis of increased nervous excitability. From the foregoing, we can conclude that people who have a hereditary tendency to this disease should especially zealously protect their mental health.
This mental disorder is most easily treated in the initial stages, and therefore it is very important to be able to recognize its very first symptoms. As already mentioned, this disease begins to develop only from the age of 13, and just at that age the human psyche is already fully formed, which allows the observant person to notice the first deviations from the norm.
The first symptom is a slight change in emotional reactions to any events, and a bit later a sharp change in mood manifests itself. So, a
depressed state, close to depression, can dramatically be replaced by an increased mood, joy, even euphoria. And, which is especially important for diagnosis, the period of
bad mood always lasts longer.
As you can understand by the name of the disease, manic depression is characterized by a frequent change in two conditions - depressive and manic.
Depressive state can be recognized by the constant manifestations of poor mood, physical and mental lethargy, poor health, and the development of heart disease. In especially severe cases, the patient may fall into a stupor - not to move, not to talk, not to react to anything.
The manic state is easily recognized by a sharp increase in mood, excessive cheerfulness, strong excitement (the patient constantly moves and talks).
Both states are characterized by increased heart rate.
At the initial stage, this disease is characterized as a depressive-manic syndrome, which causes significant inconvenience, but does not carry a real danger. But if untreated, after a couple of years, the syndrome becomes depressive-manic psychosis. At this stage, the patient becomes truly dangerous, since in the depressive period he is capable of suicide, and in the manic period he can destroy and kill.
Treatment of this mental disorder is possible only in a psychiatric clinic, where the patient will be protected from society and pathogens. Treatment includes both working with a psychiatrist and medical procedures.
For the patient, conversations with a psychotherapist are very important, which should not only identify the causes of manic depression and eliminate them, but also reassure the patient. Also, a positive result will be achieved by observing the correct regime of the day and the support of relatives.