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Depression: Manic Depression
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Recent genetic research ... supports earlier studies reporting family links in depression. For example, if one identical twin suffers from depression or manic-depressive disorder, the other twin has a 70 percent chance of also having the illness. Other studies that looked at the rate of depression among adopted children supported this finding. Depressive illnesses among adoptive family members had little effect on a child's risk of depression; however, the disorder was three times more common among adopted children whose biological relatives suffered depression.
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Manic depression... known as bipolar disorder, is characterized by cycling mood changes, with episodes of depression alternating with episodes of mania. Typically, the switch from one mood extreme to the other is gradual, with each manic or depressive episode lasting for at least several weeks. When depressed, a person with bipolar disorder exhibits the usual symptoms of major depression. In the manic phase, symptoms include hyperactivity, rapid speech, and impulsive behavior.
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The terminology professionals use to describe depression can be confusing. "Clinical depression" simply means depression that's serious enough to require treatment. In "manic depression," sad times or low times alternate with terrible highs in an often bewildering oscillation. The highs may be characterized by inappropriate elation, irritability, insomnia, increased talking, and poor judgment. "Major depression" means depression marked by particularly severe symptoms.
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Major depression... known as clinical depression or unipolar depression, is only one type of depressive disorder. Other depressive disorders include dysthymia (chronic, less severe depression) and bipolar depression (the depressed phase of bipolar disorder or manic depression). People who have bipolar disorder experience both depression and mania. Mania involves unusually and persistently elevated mood or irritability, elevated self-esteem, and excessive energy, thoughts, and talking.
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About 1 in 10 people who suffer from serious depression will ... have periods when they are elated and overactive. This used to be called Manic Depression, but is now often called Bipolar Affective Disorder. It affects the same number of men and women and tends to run in families. See ourleaflet on Bipolar Disorder.
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On NDSD, people can visit registered sites and attend free educational presentations, pick up detailed information on mental health disorders, and answer brief, anonymous questionnaires on depression and manic depression. In addition, participants may take advantage of an on-site physician evaluation and, if diagnosed, they then may be referred to a mental health specialist to discuss treatment options. All screenings are free and completely anonymous.
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Manic Depression