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What are the Most Common Manic Depression Symptoms?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

Manic depressive disorder can produce varied symptoms ranging from lack of interest to suicidal tendencies or thoughts. The most common manic depression symptoms recognized by medical experts include feelings of intense depression, alternating mood swings, irritability and anxiety. In more extreme cases, paranoia can manifest into delusional thoughts.

Bipolar and manic depression are related in terms of the highs and lows of symptoms. During a "high" period, manic behavior may include hyperactivity or exuberance. Symptoms during this period may also include nervousness and the inability to rest or sleep. In conjunction with a display of animated liveliness, the individual may seem elated and over-the-top with joy and excitement.

Lack of interest may be considered to be a symptom of manic depression.
Lack of interest may be considered to be a symptom of manic depression.

Extreme emotions during a high period may manifest in such a way that irresponsible behavior results. In a totally unrealistic way, the individual may resort to gambling or spending money frivolously. He or she may take unnecessary risks, believing no harm can occur. This is also part of the delusional factor of the associated symptoms. Another symptom during the "high" period is a display of quarrelsome or hostile behavior.

Sleeplessness may be experienced during a "high" period of manic depression.
Sleeplessness may be experienced during a "high" period of manic depression.

Conversely, during a "low" period it is common to find symptoms that are characterized by feelings of hopelessness and despair. The individual may show signs of disinterest in activities that he or she had always been involved in. This loss of interest might be coupled with excessive need for sleep or unwillingness to get out of bed. This may be a key indicator of a low period emerging.

Uncontrollable crying may be experienced during a "low" period of manic depression.
Uncontrollable crying may be experienced during a "low" period of manic depression.

Loneliness or a general feeling of sadness may encompass the individual to a point where uncontrollable crying occurs. The person may express feelings of self-contempt and low self esteem. In this emotional state, the individual may also feel guilty over circumstances that are generally not under his or her control.

Other indicators of an individual in the depressive state might be a change in eating habits. Loss of appetite is a common symptom of this manic phase; the individual may even stop eating altogether. A significant change in eating patterns may result in weight loss. Occasionally, the individual may become physically ill or more susceptible to illness as his or her immunological resistance wears down from neglect.

Neglecting personal hygiene may be a symptom of manic depression.
Neglecting personal hygiene may be a symptom of manic depression.

Neglect in other ways can be common symptoms of manic depression. Those with this disorder may not make an effort to change clothes or get dressed. Persons with this disorder may fail to maintain their appearance. Neglecting personal hygiene by not bathing or brushing teeth regularly is often a symptom in severe cases of manic depression.

Discussion Comments

clintflint

@pleonasm - The human mind is always so unique that I think it really depends on the individual as to how they act when they have symptoms of manic depression disorder. It can be quite mild or completely out of control and sometimes the mania is fairly harmless and just happens to be a bout of happiness.

My father had it and his mania always seemed to come out in aggression rather than happiness, but he gradually learned to control it without medication. I think this was only possible because he happened to have a mild case though. Most people should try to go on medication.

Oh and one more thing. If you happen to go to the doctor and they put you on medication meant for depression, but it leads to constant manic episodes, you've probably got manic depression (or bipolar disorder). That's one of the signs and it's how they diagnosed my dad. I guess the medication stops the depression symptoms, but does nothing for the manic symptoms so the person ends up bouncing off the walls.

pleonasm

@Ana1234 - The main problem with that is that the perception of the person suffering from mania is probably warped. One of the symptoms for manic depression is that they think they have the world on a plate when they are in the high, but they can also be aggressive, paranoid, and just plain irrational. We have this disorder running through my family and I have to admit I would usually prefer to meet someone going through depression than mania, because they might be dangerous to themselves, but rarely are to other people.

Someone going through a manic phase is completely unpredictable. And in the short term, that can turn out some good things, like inspired art or music, but in the long term it is almost always going to lead to destruction of one form or another.

Ana1234

The main problem with the treatment of manic depressive symptoms seems to be that often the person is quite fond of the manic episodes and would rather keep them with the depression than lose both during treatment.

Mania can lead to artistic inspiration or long, intense bouts of concentration as well as dysfunction. And if you get used to that kind of euphoria it can be difficult to adjust to never feeling it again.

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    • Lack of interest may be considered to be a symptom of manic depression.
      By: Gina Sanders
      Lack of interest may be considered to be a symptom of manic depression.
    • Sleeplessness may be experienced during a "high" period of manic depression.
      By: vlorzor
      Sleeplessness may be experienced during a "high" period of manic depression.
    • Uncontrollable crying may be experienced during a "low" period of manic depression.
      By: Johan Larson
      Uncontrollable crying may be experienced during a "low" period of manic depression.
    • Neglecting personal hygiene may be a symptom of manic depression.
      By: Alliance
      Neglecting personal hygiene may be a symptom of manic depression.
    • Individuals with manic depression experience moments of mania and depression.
      By: listercz
      Individuals with manic depression experience moments of mania and depression.
    • Feelings of hopelessness are common during a "low" period of manic depression.
      By: drubig-photo
      Feelings of hopelessness are common during a "low" period of manic depression.
    • Neglect can lead to manic depression.
      By: fasphotographic
      Neglect can lead to manic depression.
    • In extreme cases of manic depression, paranoia can manifest into delusional thoughts.
      By: Kablonk Micro
      In extreme cases of manic depression, paranoia can manifest into delusional thoughts.