Manic Depression: A Severe Type of Depression
Bi-polar disorder and manic depression are the same thing. Both describe a mental illness that causes people to have extreme mood swings. This is classified as a form of depression but a much more serious one than just a case of being sad and feeling hopeless. Bi-polar disorder is a severe case of depression that affects millions of people in the United States each year. Many more millions of people have other kinds of depression problems as well.
Approximately two-thirds of those with depression do not seek the help that they need or even get a correct diagnosis. This is usually because they don’t want to admit to themselves or anyone else that they have a mental illness. They are afraid people will judge them and think that they are crazy and unstable.
Depression is much better understood now than years ago so while the stigma might still exist to some extent it is much less severe than it was years ago. Depression is a disease and does not reflect negatively on your worth as a person. You can only get help for your depression when you admit you have a problem.
Depression is caused by a variety of factors which can include physical factors, emotional factors and environmental factors. For some people there is a biological problem going on in brain that causes depression. There may also be a chemical imbalance. Stress can also cause depression. Just the stress that we all deal with every day can be too much sometimes or maybe there is a traumatic event like a death of a loved one that causes extreme stress. The stress of relationships, financial worries, jobs and school and daily life can add up and lead to depression. Anyone, no matter what race, how rich or how poor or how successful can be depressed. Depression does not discriminate.
The same symptoms usually are associated with all the different types of depression. These include changes in your personality, mood swings, trouble sleeping and feelings of hopelessness and despair. Symptoms can become so severe that your home life and work or school life suffer and this is when you know you need help.
If you visit your doctor and get a diagnosis, your depression can be treated. Treatment options include prescription drugs, herbal remedies, therapy and group therapy. Sometimes a combination of treatments is what is needed to treat depression. You can’t get help until you face your problems!