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Manic depressive symptoms

You may know more about manic depressive symptoms than you think!

Manic depression is the traditional term for what is now more commonly known as bipolar disorder.

You may be more familiar with manic depressive symptoms by the newer name of bipolar symptoms

It is a mood disorder characterized by mood swings between "ups" - the higher than normal highs of mania - and "downs" - a mood so low as to constitute depression.

Manic depression symptoms can therefore be divided into:

1. Symptoms of mania, and

2. Symptoms of depression.

Of course, we all experience some fluctuation in mood. However, these changes from the times when we feel really happy to the times when we feel really sad are not enough to symptoms of manic depression.

What sets these mood swings apart is how EXTREME they are, and the IMPACT they have on our DAILY BEHAVIOR.

This is well described in this Wikipedia article on manic depressive symptoms.

These are such profound episodes of mania or depression that they affect our usual daily functioning, for example at work or in our relationships. Usually this is a negative impact, although some people argue that very slight mania (hypomania) is an enjoyable and productive experience that helps them accomplish more.

The National Institute of Mental Health has prepared this plain English guide to the symptoms of manic depression.

Different psychiatric authorites have slightly different definitions of manic depressive symptoms, but there is broad consensus as set out below:

Symptoms of mania

1. Overly positive, confident mood to the point of feeling invincible or that you can succeed no matter what.

2. Beliefs that you are special with great talents or gifts and should be accountable the way "ordinary" people need to be.

Manic depressive symptoms include episodes of mania.

3. Hallucinations.

4. Reduced need for sleep.

5. Talking more than usual, often in a rapid or pressured way.

6. Skipping from one idea to the next so there is a fragmented flow of thought.

7. Racing thoughts.

8. Irritability or even rage. Very impatient.

9. Reckless or inappropriate behavior such as gambling sprees, shopping sprees, hypersexuality.

10. Reckless driving.

11. Lack of impulse control or judgment, for example a "Vegas" wedding to a virtual stranger or foolish business and investment decisions.

12. Mystical or religious experiences that are intense and delusional. Magical thinking. Seeing special significance and coincidences everywhere.

Symptoms of depression

1. Very low or "blue" feelings.

2. Losing interest or pleasure in usual routine, including hobbies or other enjoyments, or simple daily tasks such as showering.

Manic depressive symptoms include episodes of depression.

3. No motivation to get up in the morning.

4. Finding it hard to cope and a feeling of wanting to "give up", even with important things like a marriage or job.

5. Excessive tiredness, moving in a slow and labored way.

6. Reduced sex drive.

7. Worthless, hopeless, helpless feelings including a lak of self-esteem.

8.Feeling guilty about things you are not responsible for.

9. Gloomy and pessimistic outlook.

10. Thoughts of self harm or suicide.

Is there ANY difference between manic depression and bipolar?

Generally we are simply told that bipolar disorder is the new name for what we used to call manic depression or manic depressive illness.

According to some experts, manic depressive symptoms are not identical to bipolar disorder symptoms.

However, some experts do see a difference in the precise definition of these terms.

In other words, "bipolar" is not just a replacement, synonym or updated term. For these experts "bipolar disorder" does carry a different meaning.

For example, to some, "manic depressive illness" is a synonym only for Bipolar Type 1 and Bipolar Type 2, but does not cover the full bipolar disorder spectrum.

Another distinction some make is that they prefer "bipolar disorder" to "manic depression" because manic depression sounds two black and white, allowing for either a distinct episode of mania or a distinct episode of depression.

However, manic depressive symptoms can include mixed episodes and a range of other, more subtle, nuances.

Cognitive symptoms

Often we think about manic depressive illness solely in terms of mood. However, the illness actually encompasses:

1. Feelings

2. Thoughts

3. Behaviors.

Lately there has been more research into the cognitive symptoms - that is, mental processes such as thinking, reasoning and remembering.

Isolating the cognitive symptoms of manic depression can be difficult as many of the medications used to manage the illness have strong cognitive side effects. This makes it hard to know whether something like memory loss is truly a manic depressive symptom, or the side effect of a treatment drug.

There is also the issue of whether any cognitive symptoms last only during the episode of mania or depression, or whether there is a permanent effect on cognition so that cognitive symtoms may persist even when the person is well again and is experiencing normal moods.

Manic depressive symptoms may include poor cognitive functioning.

Cognitive manic depressive symptoms include:

- Cognitive dullness/foggy thinking

- Problems focusing

- Memory loss

- Poor concentration

- Mental confusion.

We need to be cautious though. Although there is research establishing these cognitive symptoms, some studies show these are transitory symptoms that vanish when normal mood is restored.

However, there is also some evidence of enhanced ability when manic, especially during mild mania (hypomania).

Not all medications used to treat manic depressive symtoms "damage" cognition. there is growing evidence that lithium is actually good for the brain and has neuro-protective powers and can even help us grow gray matter.

Learn more at bipolar and memory loss.

Signs versus Symptoms

What is the difference between "signs" and "symptoms"?

Signs are observable by other people. Signs are the external manifestation of the symptoms experienced by the patient.

Manic depressive symptoms are manifiested in bipolar behavior.

Manic depressive signs are the objective indications of the illness. This is behavior that is visible to other people for their assessment.

Signs of Manic Depression

Symptoms are the subjective indications of an illness that are experienced by the patient. This is subjective and must be disclosed and described by the patient.

If you examine the lists of manic depressive symptoms listed above you will see they are actually a mixture of manic depression signs and manic depression symptoms.

For example, an example of a manic depressive symptom is feeling sad, empty, unmotivated or worthless. A patient may be experiencing these things internally but this may not be visible on the outside.

An example of a manic depressive sign is being extremely talkative and speaking fast. This is a sign of manic depression that is observable by others.

Discover more at bipolar behavior.

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