Manic depression is a mental illness that can have devastating effects on the lives of those who suffer from the condition. Also called bipolar disorder, the illness can sometimes lower the quality of life for those who are afflicted. There are millions of people diagnosed each year with the illness, but bipolar causes have managed to remain elusive.
Health researchers define bipolar as a condition that results in moods swings of an extreme nature. Such mood abnormalities are frequently accompanied by inappropriate behavior. The illness is associated with a manic as well as a depressive phases. The latter may lead to one's feeling irritable, anxious, fatigued or in some cases suicidal. When the manic phase is occurring, one may experience a significant lack of mental concentration, aggressive behavior, mental agitation or incoherent speech.
Although biological factors are involved in the development of the disease, its exact cause is not yet known. Abnormal development of the gene responsible for the regulation of human circadian rhythm is suspected to be a contributing factor. Additionally, the inappropriate activity of neurotransmitters is also a suspected cause of manic-depressive disorder.
Circadian rhythms usually adhere to a 24 hour schedule and influence processes in the body such as hormone levels, blood pressure and sleep-wake cycles. If any of these, especially hormone levels, become imbalanced, the result can be violent mood swings. Although not always beneficial to every patient, hormone supplements are sometimes prescribed for those suffering from the manic-depressive disorder.
Genetic factors also play a role in whether or not a person will develop the illness: Those who have a sister, brother or parent who suffers from the disease have a 20 percent chance of developing the disorder themselves. However, it is important to understand that a person can also develop bipolar disorder even though no family history of the condition is present.
There are also environmental factors that place certain individuals at risk for the illness. These include a high stress lifestyle or a substance abuse problem. Although such factors do not cause manic-depressive disorder, they can trigger its onset in individuals who were already at risk for its development at some point.
Those who have manic-depressive disorder should know that treatments are available for the condition. However, some sufferers are not appropriately diagnosed in a timely manner. Therefore, anyone who suspects he or she may be suffering from manic depression symptoms or who wishes to obtain a better understanding about bipolar causes should seek the advice of a medical professional.
Health researchers define bipolar as a condition that results in moods swings of an extreme nature. Such mood abnormalities are frequently accompanied by inappropriate behavior. The illness is associated with a manic as well as a depressive phases. The latter may lead to one's feeling irritable, anxious, fatigued or in some cases suicidal. When the manic phase is occurring, one may experience a significant lack of mental concentration, aggressive behavior, mental agitation or incoherent speech.
Although biological factors are involved in the development of the disease, its exact cause is not yet known. Abnormal development of the gene responsible for the regulation of human circadian rhythm is suspected to be a contributing factor. Additionally, the inappropriate activity of neurotransmitters is also a suspected cause of manic-depressive disorder.
Circadian rhythms usually adhere to a 24 hour schedule and influence processes in the body such as hormone levels, blood pressure and sleep-wake cycles. If any of these, especially hormone levels, become imbalanced, the result can be violent mood swings. Although not always beneficial to every patient, hormone supplements are sometimes prescribed for those suffering from the manic-depressive disorder.
Genetic factors also play a role in whether or not a person will develop the illness: Those who have a sister, brother or parent who suffers from the disease have a 20 percent chance of developing the disorder themselves. However, it is important to understand that a person can also develop bipolar disorder even though no family history of the condition is present.
There are also environmental factors that place certain individuals at risk for the illness. These include a high stress lifestyle or a substance abuse problem. Although such factors do not cause manic-depressive disorder, they can trigger its onset in individuals who were already at risk for its development at some point.
Those who have manic-depressive disorder should know that treatments are available for the condition. However, some sufferers are not appropriately diagnosed in a timely manner. Therefore, anyone who suspects he or she may be suffering from manic depression symptoms or who wishes to obtain a better understanding about bipolar causes should seek the advice of a medical professional.
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