Manic Depression Symptoms

Manic depression is also called bipolar disease because of the swings between opposing moods. It is a type of depressive disease and it is not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders. Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. A person who has manic depression may have affected ways of thinking and judgment. Aside from that, he may exhibit behavior that can be embarrassing, as he can be very active and irritable.

A person with manic depression may exhibit psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations. During manic periods, a patient with this condition can get in trouble. A hypomanic episode is described as the condition of a person with milder manic symptoms, without psychotic tendencies.

Bipolar I and Bipolar II are the two sub-categories of bipolar disorder. If the person has had one manic period, he may be diagnosed with bipolar I. If the patient has not experienced a manic episode, but has exhibited signs of a hypomanic condition coupled with severe depression, he may have the bipolar II condition. Aside from mood swings, the symptoms of people with this type of depression are high level of energy and activity, irritable mood, and decreased need for sleep.