BPHope.com Answers the Question, “What is Manic Depression?”

Manic depression is very common. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are at least 3 million cases every year, mostly affecting people between 14 and 60 years of age. Manic depression is another term for bipolar disorder, as bipolar disorder is comprised of both depression and mania.  BPHope.com is an online magazine that is dedicated to helping those suffering from bipolar syndrome.
Depression and bipolar disorder are similar, but bipolar disorder also incorporates mania, which may or may not be obvious to friends and loved ones. Most people suffer from Bipolar II, which is the less extreme type of bipolar, and subsequently means that it is harder to diagnose. Bipolar I is the classic type of bipolar disorder where mania is quite obvious, and can spiral out of control if not treated.

Manic depression cannot be cured, but it can be treated. At BPHope.com, you’ll find an array of different treatment strategies that have been recognized in easing the symptoms of bipolar disorder such as exercise, nutritious diet, meditation, incorporating art and music into your life, building confidence, finding a balance, and more. Their articles and columns are geared toward connecting with the individual suffering from manic depression, and how they can best handle the elements in their lives.

Manic depression and bipolar syndrome are the same issue disorder, and can last for years or even last a lifetime. A medical diagnosis is required and these tests do not involve any type of lab work or imaging. The process starts with a visit to the individual’s doctor, where a physical exam is performed to rule out any other possible causes for the symptoms. After that, the doctor asks questions based on the cyclical nature of the person’s symptoms, and the patient fills out a mood chart to help understand these cycles. Family members and friends may be called in to discuss mood swings. Finally, the doctor compares the individual’s symptoms to those symptoms outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Visit BPHope.com today for more information on manic depression and how to help spot warning signs, how to help loved ones who might not realize they have the disorder, and for a forum of people who gather for encouragement and support.

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