Manic Depression Symptoms & Diagnosis

Manic depression, or alternatively, bipolar disorder, is a mental health disorder that is characterized by recurring episodes of depression and mania. It is diagnosed by a psychiatrist only after a thorough examination and mental health history have been completed.

Manic Episodes

• A person who is having a manic episode will experience unusually high moods, during which he or she may be very irritable and sleepless. The person may also engage in risk-taking behaviors and find it hard to concentrate on tasks.

Depressive Episodes

• During a depressive episode, one will experience feelings of sadness, anxiety and feelings of decreased self-worth. These symptoms can be so serious as to develop into suicidal ideation.

Psychotic Symptoms

• A portion of the many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder will also experience psychotic symptoms during intense manic episodes. These may include auditory or visual hallucinations, paranoia and delusions.

Diagnosis

• A diagnosis of one of two types of bipolar disorder is given when a patient has experienced both manic and depressive episodes and a thorough physical examination has ruled out possible physical causes for the presenting symptoms.

Types

• A patient is diagnosed with bipolar I if he or she has had any psychotic symptoms, and Bipolar 2 if no psychotic symptoms are present and the manic episodes are less prominent than depressive episodes.