Manic Depression Cures

Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is a psychological disorder in which a sufferer cycles between manic and depressive episodes. Manic episodes involve bouts of euphoria when the sufferer feels energetic and happy, while depressive episodes are full of the usual symptoms of clinical depression, including suicidal tendencies. For manic depression, treatment is highly recommended.

Medication

• Lithium is one of the first medications given to a sufferer of manic depression, though this medication sometimes does not work. For these patients, antiseizure or antipsychotic medications sometimes work. Antidepressants are usually used in combination with other medications in order to treat the depressive stage of manic depression, though these antidepressants can trigger a mania stage and must be used in combination with the other medications listed. Once a successful combination of medications has been found, patients must never stop taking these medications. Many patients believe that they no longer need their medication as the symptoms disappear, but symptoms almost always return when patients stop taking their medicine.

Therapy

• The most effective therapy for those suffering from manic depression is education. Understanding their condition helps individuals realize that their behavior is not entirely their fault, but that there is something they can do about their mood swings. Psychotherapists also help sufferers of manic depression discover the triggers for their cycles, such as sleep deprivation, stress, seasonal changes and substances such as alcohol. Therapy is done in individual or group sessions. Much of the therapy that an individual suffering from manic depression receives starts when the patient is hospitalized.

Hospitalization

• Some individuals with manic depression need psychiatric hospitalization in order to protect the patient from harming himself or herself. In these situations, hospitals take advantage of their ability to monitor medication and determine which medication would be the most effective for the sufferer, since some medications do not work with some patients.

Support Systems

• Those with manic depression need to feel that there are those who are there for them. Also, those suffering from manic depression often have a difficult time controlling themselves and sometimes need social circles to protect the sufferer from hurting himself or herself.

Stress

• Stress is one of the most common triggers of manic depression. Stress places an individual in a flight-or-fight state, which is similar to the manic stage. When energy runs out, a depressive stage can be triggered, which can lead to yet another manic stage. Those suffering from this condition can combat stress by keeping healthy, exercising, taking on less work, and engaging in relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing and yoga.