Is manic depression curable? Bipolar, formerly referred to as manic depression, is a serious mood disorder that can affect anyone, although symptoms are typically seen for the first time in teenagers and young adults. Like any other form of depressive illness, bipolar is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, and as such, the symptoms can be treated by medication.
Is manic depression curable and what are the symptoms?
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extremes of mood: patients typically cycle from episodes of black depression to periods of manic behavior, often with very little stability in between. Some people only suffer from one or two periods of depression and mania, and are then symptom free for several years, but others can suffer from manic depression four or more times per year, which can be very hard for family and friends to deal with.
During the depressive stage of the illness, the patient will find it impossible to function due to overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and apathy. They will probably avoid friends and family and may suffer from uncontrollable bouts of crying, sleeplessness, and suicidal thoughts. The manic stage is at the opposite extreme of the mood spectrum and the patient will behave in an uninhibited, manic way, make questionable decisions, and be full of wild and impossible schemes.
There is no cure for manic depression, but the illness is very treatable, and with the right medication and support, it is possible to control the symptoms of bipolar disorder and help the patient avoid any relapses
What causes the disorder and is manic depression curable?
There is believed to be a strong genetic link attached to cases of manic depression and if you have a history of manic depression in your family, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the disorder in order to ensure you seek treatment as soon as you become aware that there might be a problem.
The symptoms of manic depression can sometimes arise as a result of emotional trauma, a dysfunctional childhood, and severe stress. However, if there is no genetic predisposition for bipolar disorder in your family history and no other reasons you can find for your manic depression, it is possible that you are suffering from an untreated medical condition that is creating the chemical or hormonal imbalances and causing the symptoms of manic depression. In such an instance, with the right treatment, manic depression would be in fact curable.
However, although manic depression is not currently curable as such, it is eminently treatable and there are lots of resources available to help those suffering from the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Once the symptoms are under control by way of medication, treatment generally focuses on helping the patient to feel more positive and learn useful strategies to deal with the inevitable stress of everyday life.
Psychotherapy is a very effective treatment for patients diagnosed with manic depression and can significantly reduce the likelihood of the patient suffering from a relapse.
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