If you or someone you love suffers
from manic depression, don't feel alone; manic depression
is a serious mental illness that affects more than two
million Americans. Manic depression is best described
as a mental health disorder of the brain that creates
unusual changes in a person's mood, energy, and ability
to function in everyday life.
More than a mood swing, manic depression
can be devastating to the person it affects and his
or her loved ones. Manic depression differs from normal
ups and downs that everyone goes through while dealing
with everyday life, in that manic depression is severe,
affecting work, relationships, school, and can even
cause suicide. Also referred to as bipolar disorder,
manic depression can be a crippling illness, causing
serious damage to an individual's life if a person does
not receive treatment.
A person suffering from manic depression
swings from high periods of extreme happiness to deeply
depressed periods of hopelessness and back again, often
showing periods of normal moods between. A person suffering
from manic depression is not only affected by these
mood swings, but also changes in energy levels and behaviors.
These periods are called episodes, and some symptoms
of manic episodes (the high mood swings) include:
·
Increased activity, energy, or restlessness
· Overly
good, elated mood; euphoria
· Irritability
· Racing
thoughts and rapid, increased speech, jumping from topic
to topic
· Inability
to concentrate
· Decreased
need for sleep
· Feelings
of unrealistic grandiose
· Poor judgment
involving risk factors like spending, sex, and substance
abuse
· Inappropriate
social behavior
A person who suffers from manic depression
may then follow the manic episode with a major depressive
episode, where they may feel extremely sad, hollow,
or hopeless. Symptoms of a major depressive episode
may include:
·
Feeling sad, anxious, hopeless, empty, or pessimistic
· Feeling
guilty, worthless, or powerless
· Loss of
pleasure or interest in hobbies or enjoyable activities
· Fatigue;
lack of energy
· Increased
need for sleep
· Change
in appetite or weight
· Inability
to concentrate
· Suicidal
thoughts or attempts.
Manic depression is a very individualized
mental illness, meaning there are many forms of it based
on the length and frequency of episodes, or the severity.
No matter the type of manic depression, substance abuse
is very common, usually as a form of self-medication.
During a manic episode, use of cocaine, alcohol, and
sleep aids are particularly common. This creates a worse
case of mania, or simply spirals the individual into
a depressive episode, which leads to another vicious
cycle of drug abuse.
When alcohol and or drug abuse is
experienced, especially combined with a mental illness
such as manic depression, immediate treatment is urged.
At Spencer Recovery Centers, clients receive more than
just the treatment that a detox center provides. Spencer
Recovery Centers understands that in this case, successful
recovery from substance abuse requires successful treatment
of manic depression. A combination of group therapy,
individual counseling, and medication is utilized to
ensure successful of a client based on their unique
needs.
Located in California and Florida,
Spencer Recovery Centers provides a serene, relaxing
environment so that a client can focus on their treatment
and recovery. If you or someone you love is suffering
from substance abuse and manic depression, please contact
Spencer Recovery Centers today for more information
on treatment options and programs. 800.399.3612
