Differences in Manic Depression in Men & Women

Manic depression is an illness that is not only calamitous in the person suffering from it; it also greatly affects the family, friends and co-workers of the victim. Manic depression is also known as bipolar disorder. This illness is marked by major highs and lows in a person's energy levels, moods and ability to function in everyday life. There are major characteristic differences in men and women who suffer from manic depression; these finding were cited in a summer 2009 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Function

• Sadly, the main cause of bipolar disorder is found to be genetics. This disease runs in families. There are other causes which can bring about this disorder, though. These causes include abnormal brain activity, an elevated protein that balances neurotransmitters, and certain viruses, along with hyperactivity in the hypothalamus.

Significance

• Manic depression can affect either sex, all races, any age or social class. Although it is not uncommon to develop bipolar disorder at any age, it typically strikes in late adolescence.

Effects

• This chaos manifested by this malady is just one of its detrimental aspects. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Symptoms during the manic (or high) of this disease include extreme euphoric moods, hyperactivity, acute irritability, goading behavior, vehement denial that anything is wrong and little or no need for rest or sleep. Symptoms during the depressive (or low) stage can include suicidal thoughts, excessive sleeping, an inability to enjoy anything and extreme fatigue.

Considerations

• Manic depression affects men and women differently. Although people affected by the disease share many traits, some are more common to each sex. Medical conditions that seem to exacerbate symptoms of manic depression are: thyroid problems, migraines, obesity, and panic attacks. These conditions are more common in women than men. Reproductive hormones have also been found to play a role in increased depressive activity. During pre-menopause and menopause, women may be more prone to suffer from the depressive signs. Women also face the problems of maintaining correct levels of medication before, during, and after pregnancy. Monitoring medications can be a huge challenge while breast feeding, also.

  Men typically experience earlier, and more pronounced symptoms of bipolar disease. Aggression plays a huge factor, and they often battle through their highs and end up in jail or hospitalized. Men typically don't seek medical help as readily as women, so treatment isn't implemented to help them deal with this ailment. Men are also more prone to indulge in alcohol or drug abuse.

Prevention/Solution

• Medications, along with counseling with a qualified psychiatrist, are vital in helping the manic depression sufferer to maintain a good quality of life. This disease can be greatly helped by being closely monitored by a physician. A sad fact about this illness is that many victims crave the highs manifested by the disease and won't maintain proper treatment for any length of time.