Manic depression is a serious mood disorder that can cause disruptions in your lifestyle and health. Though all of us experience high and low moods occasionally, manic depressive disorder causes extreme mood swings. Manic depression effects far reach into your life and the lives of people around you. It may affect your work, school, physical health, relationship and many other aspects of life. A study shows that manic depression effects leading to loss of productivity cost around $15.5 billion annually. Suicide is one of the most severe effects caused by this disorder. Unfortunately 25 to 50% people suffering from manic depression attempt to commit suicide and 11% succeed in their effort. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the severity of manic depression effects.
Manic Depression Causes
The exact manic depression causes have not been discovered yet. However, many experts believe that it is hereditary. A chemical imbalance in the brain can contribute to this disorder. Neropinephrine, a neurotransmitter controls some functions of the brain. If the level of this chemical is too high or too low, manic depression may occur and an herbal depression therapy may be prescribed. Emotional stress, drug use and illness like head trauma, brain tumor, epilepsy, thyroid problem and AIDS may be some other manic depression causes.
Environmental factors may also contribute to this mood disorder. Excessive usage of appetite suppressants may cause this disorder. Medications like antidepressants can trigger manic depression episode. This can be avoided by taking an antimanic drug while taking antidepressants.
Manic Depression Symptoms
In day to day life, we experience a range of moods and feeling, including joy, frustration and anger. What makes the disorder different from normal emotions of life is the manic depression symptoms deterring your ability to handle day to day activities. This condition along with panic disorder can lead a doctor to prescribe the treatment for panic disorder along with manic depression. Significantly reduced need for rest and sleep, poor appetite, flight of ideas and impulsiveness, poor concentration, excessive irritability and agitation, loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities, loss of energy, guilty feeling and low self esteem are some of the manic depression symptoms experienced by many patients. You may experience early morning awakening and/or trouble sleeping. Talk of suicide and death is one of the symptoms of this disorder.
Manic depression is not recognized by you, your family and friends in the early stage. However, if you feel extreme moodiness and episodes of agitation affect your life and ruin your relationships with others, you need to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Manic Depression Relief
Early diagnosis and treatment can help you get manic depression relief and lead a productive life. Medications and therapies are available to reduce the severity of the symptoms. Mood stabilizers are usually prescribed by many doctors. Psychotherapy and self help strategies can help you prevent the episodes from relapsing.
Some homeopathic and herbal remedies can help you get manic depression relief safely and naturally. Passiflora is one of the herbs that help lift mood and relieve anxiety. It can help calm manic states without causing any side effects. Positive behavioral changes and a healthy life style are also important to get relief from manic depression symptoms quickly.