Posts Tagged ‘manic depression’

The Role of Medication In Treating Bipolar Illness

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Medication plays a critical function in combating the dreaded symptoms of manic depression or bipolar 1 disorder. In fact, In thousands of instances, medication is the main thing that is helping them to forge ahead. But no medications is perfect and many have the potential of causing dangerous side effects. And the same is true for basically any medicine used to fight a disease. However, one way to at least mitigate the chances of medicine having harmful effects is to subject it to stringent testing.

Before a medication can be advertised as being effective for a certain disease, it must be approved by the FDA. However, just because a medication does not have FDA approval does not mean that it is ineffective. It could simply be in trials or it could be that money is not available to do long term clinical trials. The best thing is to find a doctor or health provider that you trust and follow their recommendations.

Therapy, for many people, has an undeserved negative connotation. They feel that they’ll be stigmatized or viewed as crazy if they seek psychiatric help. But, for many people it can literally be a godsend.

You have a couple of options when it comes to manic depression therapy treatment. You can partake in private therapy or you can choose to enroll in  group therapy sessions. Therapy can be extremely helpful in bringing people to an understanding of themselves and their emotional swings. It can also help them to understand that they have some control over this illness. Therapy can help them realize that they do not have to be an innocent bystander in their own lives.

People who suffer from this terrible disorder can still manage to live an almost normal and productive life with the right treatment and medications. The more difficult cases may require hospital stays of various lengths to treat the problem.

Manic depression is an illness that affects millions of people. The best way to help those suffering from it is to bring it out of the closet and help them get the treatment that they need.

You can read more about bipolar illness and useful bipolar support groups at Julie’s website.

Therapies For Manic Depression

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Manic Depression, otherwise referred to as bipolar 1 disorder, is not a disease that you come down with and then get over. It is something that will be with you the rest of your life. And it can make your life a living and emotional hell as you try to get through the ups and downs. But you have to learn to live with it.

As human beings, it’s normal for us to swing from happiness to sadness and back again depending on the circumstances. What separates this behavior from manic depressive illness is the intensity of the swings. It’s not unusual for the mood of a person with manic depressive illness to swing from giddy exhilaration to the deepest suicidal depression. It’s trying to control and live with those extremes that can make life very difficult for these people.

The symptoms of manic depression usually arrive sometime in the late adolescent years. It can be extremely difficult to diagnose because it arrives at precisely the same time that hormonal and other factors are affecting them. Even normal teenagers’ emotions can swing wildly from one moment to the next.

There are two factors for learning to live with manic depression successfully: 1) get diagnosed early and 2) get proper treatment. Bipolar disorder, once diagnosed, is normally treated with a combination of mood stabilizers and therapy.

Mood stabilizers are psychiatric medications developed to stabilize the extreme mood shifts from mania and depression in those suffering from manic depression or bipolar disorder. Popular mood stabilizers are Lithium, Valproic acid, Lamotrigine, and Carbamazepine. A variety of mood stabilizers are constantly undergoing clinical trials in an attempt to find the best treatment possible for manic depression.

While it’s true that mood stabilizers can usually help manic depression symptoms, they should be used with care. And then should probably not be used by women who are pregnant as they have not been proven to be safe for the fetus. If you are pregnant, as with all other medical issues, consult your doctor before embarking on this form of treatment.

You can read more about bipolar illness and bipolar support groups and therapies at Julie’s website.

A Young Man Needs Therapy For His Severe Depression, Relationship Problems, and For His Drug and Alcohol Dependency

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Roughly four months ago I had breakfast with a thirty-four-year-old man named Alexander who suffers from severe depression, has relationship problems, and who is alcohol and drug dependent. As explained by Alexander, it is his drug addiction and alcoholism and his intense depression that had the most to do with his unceasing relationship difficulties.

I recollect hearing that a history of mental health issues, drug addiction, and harmful drinking quite often happen in the same family. Moreover, I remember hearing that under such circumstances, a person needs to get treatment for both medical situations and that addiction and mental health difficulties frequently occur in the same individual.

As declared by Alexander, he is so dejected by his relationship difficulties and by both of his medical problems that he basically has little or no reason to do much of anything. What is especially sad about this is that earlier in his life, Alexander managed to finish five semesters of grad school in biology.

Alexander’s circumstance makes me question if he is an example of an individual who can look in the mirror and see his drug abuse and alcohol drinking problems and do something healthy about these problems or if he is an individual who has to hit the bottom of the barrel before he gets drug and alcohol rehab that leads to lasting sobriety.

The Need For a Rehabilitation Program He Can Believe In and a Psychologist He Can Trust

If it would be helpful I would assume that I could advise him about numerous blogs and websites that could possibly help him locate information about drug abuse symptoms, the stages of alcoholism, chemical dependency information, and relationship issues. From my vantage point, nevertheless, Alexander needs to find a counseling protocol he can believe in and follow through over the long term and locate a therapist he can trust.

I could be in the wrong but it seems to make sense that Alexander more likely than not needs to look honestly at his life regarding his drug addiction signs and alcoholic symptoms and recognize the fact that he cannot use drugs or even drink responsibly if he wants to get sober, stay sober, and start on the path to lasting sobriety.

It may be asked how treatment would help his drug and alcohol addiction. First of all, there are several recently produced doctor-prescribed meds that can help Alexander through his withdrawal symptoms, through the drug and alcohol detoxification process, and help him avoid a drug or an alcohol relapse.

Second, Alexander would learn to concede the fact that there is completely nothing useful about chemical dependency and excessive and abusive drinking and that involving himself in one or both situations is the road to legal problems, deteriorating health, a premature death, poor work and school performance, shattered relationships, and financial difficulties.

Third, treatment for his relationship problems and his depression might help him manage these psychological issues more successfully and perhaps create less of a need for him to engage in addictive behavior.

The Significance of Support Groups Such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous

There are realistically several friends, other people, and family members who would desire to help Alexander with his substance abuse and his hazardous and excessive drinking. He probably would experience greater acceptance from a recovery group such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, however, instead of getting advice from individuals who rarely drink or who have never taken drugs.

When Individuals Do Things They Love and About Which They Are Passionate

There’s a philosophical attitude that contends that individuals who do things they like and something about which they are dedicated reach a magnificent place in life. Stated another way, when people do what they love, they almost never experience an uneventful life or boredom. If they involve themselves in something that is enjoyable, what is more, they become more actualized and experience more gratification and delight in life and in their relationships.

When this is examined more closely it becomes clear that this positive mindset is worlds apart from a life that is grounded in drug and alcohol addiction because such a lifestyle removes the satisfaction and joy that life has to offer.

Because Alexander lacks the fortitude to do much of anything in his life, it is obvious that he definitely needs some hope for a better existence. And the unfortunate thing is that hope is all around Alexander if he could only get to the place in life to get the therapy he needs for his acute depression and dependency and continue with his treatment routine.

Better Relationships, Beneficial Change, Self Respect, and a Meaningful Life Are Possibilities

Alexander is simply too young to be defeated in life. He doesn’t comprehend this right now but if he can learn how to refrain from drugs and alcohol through drug and alcohol rehabilitation and get the counseling he needs for his severe depression, he can reorient his life and start living with passion, self-respect, and direction.

More positive relationships, productive change, self esteem, and a wonderful life are certainly possibilities for Alexander if only he could become motivated to get the medical rehabilitation he requires, follow through with his treatment program, live his life in an addiction-free and healthy manner, and learn how to acquire a more positive attitude about life.

A Young Female Requires Treatment for Her Mental Illness and For Her Chemical Dependency

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Nearly two weeks ago I read about a twenty-two-year-old female named Rachael who is manic depressive and who is also addicted to alcohol and drugs. I have read that in such situations, an individual needs to get counseling for both medical conditions and that mental health problems and chemical dependency tend to take place in the same individual. In addiction, I recall hearing that a history of abusive drinking, drug abuse, and/or mental health concerns routinely occur in the same family.

Obviously, Rachael is so overcome by both of her medical conditions that she essentially has no reason to achieve much of anything. What is particularly unfortunate about this is that earlier in her life, Rachael completed two-and-a-half years of college. Rachael’s situation makes me wonder if she is an illustration of a person who has to hit the very bottom before he or she gets drug and alcohol addiction treatment that results in long-term recovery.

The Need For a Healthcare Practitioner She Trusts and a Rehab Program She Can Believe In

If I were in contact with Rachael I could suggest quite a lot of blogs and websites that could possibly help her locate info about addiction and alcoholic behavior, relevant chemical dependency information, facts about alcoholism and drugs, and more info about addiction symptoms and alcoholism warning signs. From where I stand, however, Rachael needs to locate a doctor she trusts and a treatment protocol she can believe in and follow through over the long term. I could be mistaken but it seems to make sense that Rachael probably needs to understand the fact that she cannot drink at all or use drugs if she wants to get sober, stay sober, and start on the route to long-lasting recovery.

I am aware that there are some recently produced physician-prescribed drugs that can help Rachael avoid an alcohol or a drug relapse, help her through her withdrawal symptoms, and help her through the drug and alcohol detox process. Obviously it would be in Rachael’s best interests if she became conversant with these drugs.

It is apparent that Rachael needs to admit the fact that there is absolutely nothing useful about hazardous drinking and drug abuse and that messing around with one or both situations is the route to financial difficulties, deteriorating health, poor work and school performance, shattered relationships, a premature death, and legal problems.

The Importance of Recovery Groups Such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous

There are realistically several persons such as other individuals, friends, and family members who would want to help Rachael but she more likely than not would experience greater understanding from a recovery group such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous instead of listening to people who drink in moderation or who have never abused drugs.

When Individuals Do Things They Like and About Which They Are Dedicated

There’s a school of thought that emphasizes that individuals who do things they like and something about which they are zealous reach a wonderful place in life. Stated more specifically, when people do what they enjoy, they hardly ever experience boredom or an uneventful life. If they get involved in something that is satisfying, what is more, they become more fulfilled and experience more satisfaction and joy in life.

To me, this sounds diametrically opposed to a life that is rooted in substance abuse because such a lifestyle removes the gratification and delight that life has to offer.

Due to the fact that Rachael lacks the determination to succeed at doing much of anything in her life, it is obvious that she definitely needs a little bit of hope for a better life. And the sad thing is that hope is virtually everywhere around Rachael if she could only get to the place in life to get the therapy she needs for her mental illness and dependency and stick with her treatment protocol.

Constructive Change, Self Respect, and a Wonderful Life Are a Reality

Rachael is simply too young to be beaten in life. She doesn’t comprehend this right now but if she can learn how to abstain from alcohol and drugs through alcohol and drug therapy and get the treatment she needs for her mental health problem, she can redirect her life and start living with direction, self-respect, and passion.

A wonderful life, self esteem, and beneficial change are certainly a reality for Rachael if only she could become inspired to seek the professional treatment she requires, follow through with her treatment regimen, live her life in an alcohol and drug-free and healthy manner, and acquire a more positive attitude about her life.

Different Types of Depression

Monday, October 12th, 2009

Depression is complex. Depression is a disease that can linger and progress for months and years without detection . Researchers know that different types of depression will afflict 15 million people in the USA annually.  It is also estimated that less than a third will actually seek some form of help for depression.  Those with the disease don’t even know it in many cases.  Life is full of stress on a daily basis. It has become harder and harder to deal with the every day obstacles of life.  Many people live pay check to pay check.  The competition to keep a job has been enhanced by the crisis in our economy.  Stress can give birth to depression.  

Countless types of depression exist.  Many of the labels are similar in meaning. These labels include manic depression, medical depression, clinical depression and mental depression.  There is also severe depression that alludes to the final stages of the disease.  Depression can result from a variety of causes.  One of these is simple biology, brain chemistry issues.  DNA also carries depression.  Those with family histories of depression are at risk.

Different types of depression are given birth by other similar factors.  Substance abuse can lead to depression.  Alcohol or drugs both show links to depression.  The death of a family member can increase the chance for depression.  Mental depression has taken a bad rap down through history.  Before being classified as a disease it was thought to be a defect in character.  As a result treatment wasn’t applied in a way that could help the patient.  Every stage of depression has its ill affects.  Early detection, then, is necessary to fight depression.

Once the disease has progressed to severe depression the illness must be treated.  Suicide often takes place in this final phase.  The calls for help have gone unnoticed and the avenues for hope are slipping away.   Treatments include a combination of talk therapy and prescription drugs.  There are also support groups that offer a helping hand.  There are also natural herbs you can use to treat the disease.  There are options available to those who suffer from all types of depression.  If lingering signs of depression exist then please seek help.

Treating Manic Depressive Disorder

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Manic depressive disorder, sometimes known as manic depression or bipolar disorder, isn’t one single thing. It’s more a constellation of disorders, mostly characterized by swings between highly elevated moods and severely depressed ones. With variations of the illness manifesting itself in different ways (rapid or slow cycling of moods, for example), finding the best treatments can be a real challenge. Probably the first step in getting a handle on it, in fact, is to find a therapist who knows a great deal about the disorder. Teamwork among the person with the illness and his or her doctors is the key.

Often people who live with manic depressive disorder function well in the periods between manic and depressive episodes. This means they can take an active role, along with their doctors, in devising and monitoring their own recovery depression treatments. They particularly need to guard against the temptation to go off their medications, thinking they no longer need them, if the symptoms seem to disappear. So their therapy will often not be restricted just to the drugs, but may include psychotherapy to help them recognize any of their own behaviors that might contribute to the worsening of their illness.

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When it comes to the medications prescribed for manic depressives, there are a great many currently available. However, lithium has been used for many years in various forms, and seems to have the best track record for stabilizing the mood swings and even for reducing instances of suicide. One difficulty with this drug, however, is the side effects of high blood pressure, water retention and constipation. So, new treatments are often sought to see if other drugs might work as well, with fewer repercussions. Interestingly, it’s a breast cancer medicine called tamoxifen that has shown one of the best and quickest responses to a manic phase. Other mood stabilizers and antipsychotic drugs are also among the current treatments.

As constant research into manic depressive disorder goes on, and knowledge about the manifestations of this illness increases, newer drugs and treatments are also being developed. What people can contribute on their own side of the treatment equation is to gather whatever bipolar info they can, work with a therapist, and become familiar with potential weak spots in their own behavior. A successful treatment strategy can only be developed when all parties work together.

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Manic Depression – A Basic Knowledge

Monday, August 31st, 2009

When people discuss bi-polar disorder they refer to a condition known as manic depression.  Bi-Polar people exhibit sudden changes from a very good mood to a very bad mood.  It is just another in the many forms of depression.  Manic depression is not the same as just being sad or upset for over something in particular.  Manic depression is a much more serious condition.  The diagnosis of being Bi-Polar is just another stage of the disease of depression.  Millions of people in the United States are diagnosed with Manic Depression every year.  In general 17 million people battle depression each year in America.

Typically, some type of depression yearly affects around 17 million Americans. The draw back is that only a third of the potentially affected will ever seek medical assistance or get some type of diagnosis.  If you do not look for help than it is very hard to find a cure.  Many Americans are hesitant to confront a disease that is categorized as a mental illness.  They do not want to be stereotyped as one who must be out of their mind.  Diseases that affect the brain have always been very complicated.  It is hard to shake the stigma that comes with the diagnosis.  However, as with any form of depression such as manic depression, the affliction does not make you less a person.  It does not mean that you are a nut case.  It means you have an illness like any other.  It can be treated.  First it has to be identified. 

The causes of all forms of depression, including manic depression, are still being examined in the medical profession.  It has been shown that depression can be brought on by many possibilities.  It is known that biological, genetic, and environmental factors have to be taken into consideration.  We know that it seems to be caused by a chemical imbalance on the brain.  We also know that stress can play a major role in the advent of depression.  Every day we confront events in life that cause us stress.  It can be problems at work, in our relationships with those we love or facing the reality of trying to survive week to week.  Depression does not play favorites.  It can affect the rich and the poor.  It is not racist.  No color or nationality is free from this illness.

There are similar symptoms no matter the type of depression.  The frequent change in personality, the mood swings that go up and then goes down.  Depression can result in insomnia.  If you have no hope, feel helpless or desperate, that could be depression.  Depression is real when it interferes with your ability to live your life.  But the depression afflicted have hope.  You can find help and treatment of manic depression.  There are medicines both prescribed and natural that can offer a cure.  There are also medical professionals that can help your illness through ‘talk therapy’.  There are also many support groups that will help you deal with the disease.  The first step in the cure is seeking the assistance.

About Manic Depression

Monday, August 31st, 2009

Manic Depression is another name for Bipolar Disorder.  When an individuals mood swings are very irregular with sudden changes from good to bad this is commonly associated with being Bi-Polar.  It is just another in the many forms of depression.  Manic depression is not the same as just being sad or upset for over something in particular.  Manic depression is more serious than that.  The diagnosis of being Bi-Polar is just another stage of the disease of depression.  Millions of people in the United States are diagnosed with Manic Depression every year.

Two thirds of those people will never seek medical attention or even a diagnosis.  If you do not look for help than it is very hard to find a cure.  Mental illness is a red stop sign for many Americans, they don’t want to deal with it.  The negative image of someone who is “nuts” is just too much for them.  Brain diseases are generally quite complex.  It is hard to shake the stigma that comes with the diagnosis.  However, as with any form of depression, the affliction does not make you less a person.  You’re not crazy.  You have a condition like any other medical condition.  If it’s identified it can be cured. 

The causes of all forms of depression are still being examined in the medical profession.  Depression is caused by a wide range of issues.  It’s well known that consideration must be given to chemical factors, a person’s surroundings, and even their genes.  A chemical imbalance in the brain helps cause it.  We also know that stress can play a major role in the advent of depression.  Life is full of stress.  Issues at school, with loved ones, or just the daily grind can cause it.  Depression does not play favorites.  Both the rich and the poor contract it.  It is not racist.  Color or nationality provide no protection from this illness.

There are similar symptoms no matter the type of depression.  These include mood swings from happy to sad and serious personality switches.  Insomnia is another symptom for depression.  Helpless feelings, or feelings that the future holds no hope are signs.  Depression is real when it interferes with your ability to live your life.  But the depression afflicted have hope.  You can find help and treatment of manic depression.  There are medicines both prescribed and natural that can offer a cure.  Psychotherapy can also help.  There are also many support groups that will help you deal with the disease.  The first step in the cure is seeking the assistance.