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Managing the Side Effects of Manic Depression

Sep 152011

Controlling the symptoms of Manic Depression with medication can go a long way towards allowing a sufferer of the disorder to live a healthy normal life. However, the side effects that come with some of these medications can be quite severe in some cases and need to be effectively managed to ensure that a Manic Depression sufferer continues to take their medication.

Some of the most common side effects of Manic Depression medication include weight gain, drowsiness, poor concentration, dizziness, shakes and twitches, nausea and even anxiety attacks.

If you or someone you know does suffer any of these side effects the first person that should be consulted is a doctor. Only a doctor should be telling when and what to take and whether to adjust dosages for particular medications.

When consulting your doctor it is very beneficial to have a record of exactly what side effects were experienced, how long they went for, how long it took for you to experience them after taking medication and the severity. It is also worth mentioning any changes in diet or environment as all of these can play a factor.

That said, when taking medication for Manic Depression the first few days of taking a new medication will generally always be the worst for side effects. Your body takes time to adjust to the new compounds in your system and as this happens side effects result. Gradually the severity to these side effects will usually fade. However, if you increase your dose they can resurface as your body has to readjust again, a gradual increase of dosage can substantially reduce or eliminate further side effects.

Should you suffer extended side effects your doctor may suggest that you decrease your dosage. Sometimes a sufferer of Manic Depression can get away with a smaller dose while still receiving the effect they require. Unfortunately this is not always possible.

Another method of reducing side effects is changing the form of the dosage to an extended release tablet. These tablets release medication gradually into your system, managing Manic Depression symptoms for the whole day and sometimes reducing the onset of side effects.

Should the side effects continue there are two options a doctor will generally recommend. One is that he may prescribe another medication to counter the side effects. This can often work well however, there are cases where this is not effective and can lead to further side effects or problems.

If all else fails and the side effects are too much the good news is there are other medications out there. Finding the right mix of medication for Manic Depression takes time. By consulting your doctor, keeping track of your side effects and reporting anything untoward, the right balance will be found.

Living With Manic Depression and Bipolar

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Sep 122011

Medication and therapy for Manic Depression and Bipolar Disorder can go a long way towards helping sufferers of the disorder to live long and successful lives with minimal symptoms. However, someone who has Manic Depression must learn to recognise the onset of a mood swing and educate themselves on their disorder so that it can be effectively managed.

Recognising Emotional States

Catching changes in emotional state towards ‘mania’ or ‘depression’ in the early stages will greatly limit the impact of Manic Depression and Bipolar. Keeping a diary of moods can assist a sufferer in recognising when a particular mood swing will occur as can making sure one is around friends or relatives that can recognise a change in behaviour. Sometimes those suffering from Manic Depression have problems recognising the early onset of a mood swing, an educated observer can assist the sufferer in realising they are acting differently.

Alcohol, Drugs and Manic Depression

The constant mood swings, loss of inhibitions while ‘manic’ and severe depression leads to many Manic Depression and Bipolar sufferers having problems with alcohol and drug addiction before they are diagnosed. It is important that those suffering from the disorder stay away from drugs and alcohol as these substances can trigger a mood swing as well as interfere with their medication. Not to mention drugs and alcohol are not the best for you in the first place.

Stress and Anxiety in Daily Life

Stress, anxiety and worry are also triggers for ‘manic’ and ‘depressive’ states. Minimising the stress levels for those suffering from Manic Depression and Bipolar can go a long way to preventing the onset of a mood swing. As we all know stress can come from work, study, family and relationships. Obviously it is not possible to completely eliminate every source of stress in someones life. However, taking a low stress job, dealing with issues in ways that eliminate stress and confrontation and, when the worst happens, recognising the onset of a mood swing can make day to day life much easier.

Conclusion

Manic Depression and Bipolar disorder can be well managed if time is taken to learn about the disorder and how it can affect a persons life. The disorder affects everyone in different ways so it is important that the individual learns about their own particular Manic Depression symptoms while learning about the disorder as a whole. With a little time and a little work Manic Depression can be little more than an inconvenience in an otherwise normal and productive life.

Further Reading

There are a number of books on the market that have more detail on the disorder and how best to manage it. One is the ‘Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide’ which is excellent for both those suffering the disorder and their family members. As always though for sufferers from Manic Depression, it is always essential that you check with your doctor before trying anything different regarding treatment or making significant changes to lifestyle.

Manic Depression and Bipolar in Children

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Sep 102011

Manic Depression and Bipolar is not a disorder that solely affects adults. Children can also suffer from the disorder and can find their early schooling and development years severely affected by Manic Depression.Manic Depression Symptoms in a child can bear many similarities to adult symptoms but can be harder to realise and can also be confused with Attention Deficit Disorder. Symptoms include depression, excessive and explosive anger, sadness and disinterest, separation anxiety, suicidal thoughts, unusual sexual behaviour for their age, hearing voices, propensity for violence and bossiness.

The problem with children and Manic Depression is making the correct diagnosis. It can be very hard for a doctor and parent to notice and recognise the right symptoms in a child and correctly diagnose the condition if there is one present at all. Social situations, both at home and school can affect a child’s behaviour and emotional states so it is important that these are reported to the doctor as well.

If a child does have Manic Depression or Bipolar the symptoms the child experiences can change significantly as the child grows older. The brain does not reach maturity until a human is in their mid twenties thus a change in symptoms will often occur as the child ages requiring changes in medication and therapy for the disorder.

Having a child diagnosed with Manic Depression or Bipolar does not mean the child’s life has to be significantly affected in any way. The disorder can be managed effectively with a combination of medication and drugs, allowing the child to learn, contribute and interact socially as well as any other child. Many well known scientists and celebrities in the world suffer from Manic Depression and Bipolar. The disorder does not mean your child will be held back from any pursuit they so choose.

By equipping yourself with knowledge of Manic Depression, reacting to the symptoms, recording changes in your child’s behaviour and keeping an open dialogue with your doctor your child has every opportunity to succeed.

Treatment and Medication for Manic Depression

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Sep 082011

Modern day sufferers of Manic Depression or Bipolar are not just treated with a pill or a psychiatrist. A combination of medication and psychotherapy is used to manage the disorder. Due to the different emotional states those with Manic Depression experience, sufferers are given medication to treat both the ‘manic’ states and the ‘depressive’ states.

Emotional State Stabilisation Medication

Drugs that help someone regain control over their emotions and moods are sometimes referred to as ‘mood stabilizers.’ These medications help reduce the effects of the extreme highs and lows experienced by Manic Depression and Bipolar sufferers.

For those experiencing a ‘manic’ state, Lithium was once the primary medication administered to Manic Depressives. Lithium also happens to be a highly toxic drug that can be dangerous in large doses and is also a natural element and cannot be capitalised on by the pharmaceutical companies. Thus these days there are far more medications that can be used to treat Manic Depression and Bipolar including Deparkote, Topamax, Tegretol, Zyprexa, Abilify, Haldol, Risperdal and Geodon. Not all of these medications will work on a particular patient and sometimes only a combination is effective. It takes some time to find the right balance and dosage during the early stages of treatment.

Medications for the ‘depressive’ state include Symbyax, Serowual and Lamictal. It is important to note that regular anti-depressants are often ineffective for those suffering from Manic Depression or Bipolar as they can have they effect of inducing a ‘manic’ state.

Therapy as Treatment of Manic Depression

Therapy is increasingly used to help sufferers of Manic Depression and Bipolar cope with their disorder. Therapy can be as simple as going over a patients day, checking how they are responding to the medication and how it is improving their life. Whether the side effects are affecting a patients mental state in other ways can also be discussed.

Stress and lifestyle can trigger highs and lows in Manic Depression and Bipolar sufferers so therapy can also help a patient manage these factors as well. Therapy can act as a support or crutch for a patient, helping them in ways that medication cannot.

Conclusion

Manic Depression and Bipolar is not a disorder that can be fixed with a daily pill in the morning. It is a disorder that needs to be worked on every day to be managed. Controlling Manic Depression symptoms is just the first step, therapy in combination with correct medication is what is needed to keep the disorder at bay. With the help of modern day medicine and therapists it is still very possible to live a normal and productive life while suffering from Manic Depression or Bipolar.

Misdiagnosis of Manic Depression Symptoms

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Sep 072011

Misdiagnosis of Manic Depression is relatively common with those suffering Bipolar and Manic Depression symptoms. Often someone suffering from a form of Manic Depression is misdiagnosed as having some other form of personality disorder.

One of the main problems that causes misdiagnosis is that it is a relatively uncommon disorder and many doctors are unfamiliar with the disorder. This makes it very important if someone is suspicious that they are exhibiting symptoms of Manic Depression that they seek out an experienced doctor who can make the correct diagnosis and that they understand that it is not an overnight process.

Someone who is in one of the high or ‘manic’ states of Manic Depression will exhibit symptoms similar to those suffering narcissism or histrionic disorders. Manic symptoms can include rage and an inability to sleep further complicating the diagnosis as those with sleep disorders report similar symptoms.

An inability to concentrate and focus is another symptom of Manic Depression which can cause a sufferer to be misdiagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder or some other related disorder. Those related to a sufferer of Manic Depression can perceive you as a different person or personality when in a ‘manic’ state which can lead to a misdiagnosis of Schizophrenia.

The ‘depressive’ or low state of manic depression is also easily misdiagnosed. Sufferers who do not realise or report their ‘manic’ states can be misdiagnosed with clinical depression or another related depression disorder. Knowledge of a ‘depressive’ state is not enough for a physician to correctly diagnose a case of Manic Depression.

Some people who believe or are suspicious they are afflicted with Manic Depression actually do not have any disorder at all. The names Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression are becoming more common. This awareness within the general public can lead to people convincing themselves that they are sufferers when in fact they are not. Hormonal imbalances, stress, grief and psychological trauma can all cause symptoms similar to Manic Depression causing some to people to be misdiagnosed with bipolar without actually having the disorder at all.

These problems all contribute to the regular misdiagnosis of Manic Depression symptoms and are the reason why it can take weeks and sometimes months to correctly diagnose a sufferer. When consulting a doctor those that believe they could have the disorder should be open and honest about all symptoms and emotional states that they have experienced and try and seek out a doctor experienced with Manic Depression.

What is Manic Depression and What Are Some Manic Depression Symptoms

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Sep 062011

What is Manic Depression or Bipolar Disorder?

Manic Depression or what is often called bipolar disorder is not one sole disorder but a broad category covering a range of disorders. The disorder is typically associated with a seesaw pattern of emotional peaks and troughs. The highs are generally referred to as ‘mania’ while the lows are referred to as ‘depression’ hence the name of the disorder.

Anyone of any age or sex can suffer from the disorder and the impact of the mania and depression can vary significantly between each person. Some experience stronger highs than lows or vice versa and often times there will be a period of normal emotional behaviour between these episodes.

Causes of Manic Depression

The causes of Manic Depression are still being discovered, however there does seem to be a prevalence of the disorder with those with creative talent. Genetics in combination with society and environment are currently thought of as the most likely causes. Regardless of the causes of Manic Depression what is known are that certain substances and events can trigger episodes of Manic Depression. Alcohol and drug abuse can both trigger either mania or depression in someone suffering from the disorder. Stress or psychological trauma are also key causes of emotional episodes.

Some Symptoms of Manic Depression

Manic Depression symptoms can be broken down into symptoms of mania and symptoms of depression. Both emotional states offer a different set of symptoms that are very different from each other.

Symptoms of mania can include a feeling of euphoria and elevation, a rush of energy so strong that those in this state often sleep as little as three or four hours a night. One in this state can feel they can undertake great feats, and sometimes they even accomplish them. Sex drive can increase and inhibitions can decrease resulting in the possibility of substance abuse and unsafe sex.

Symptoms of depression are very different. A strong feeling of hopelessness, sadness, inadequacy and even suicide are common. Lack of energy and the constant need for sleep are also normal for those in this state as is an inability to concentrate. Appetite and sex drive fade.

Treatment of Manic Depression

There is no fast cure for Manic Depression, no pill that will instantly fix a sufferers woes. However there are ways to manage the states of mania and depression. There are medications that can minimise the emotional highs and lows. Additionally therapy is incorporated with the medication to help a patient control his emotional state and stress levels.

Conclusion

Manic Depression Symptoms can manifest at any age so again please make that doctors appointment if you suspect you are a sufferer. The disorder is very serious and should not be taken lightly.

Manic Depression Symptoms

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Managing the Side Effects of Manic Depression

Living With Manic Depression and Bipolar

Manic Depression and Bipolar in Children

Treatment and Medication for Manic Depression

Misdiagnosis of Manic Depression Symptoms

What is Manic Depression and What Are Some Manic Depression Symptoms

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