How to Know if You Are Manic Depressive
Overview
Manic depression, also know as bipolar disorder, is a psychological disorder classified by two distinct mood cycles: depression (the low) and mania (the high). While everyone has highs and lows in their daily lives, manic depressive people experience severe shifts that affect their lives and can be clearly noted. If you are worried that you may be manic depressive, take note of your symptoms and talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Step 1
Obtain a copy of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disease (DSM-IV) is the psychology industry standard for diagnosing mental disorders. The DSM-IV contains the specific symptoms of manic depression, a rating system for the severity of symptoms and descriptions of types of bipolar disorder. While only medical professionals can officially diagnose mental conditions, reading this material can give you a better perspective.
Step 2
Rate your level of mania. Mania is identified by symptoms such as elevated mood, irritability, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, constantly talking or feeling the need to talk, inattention and compulsive activity. People experiencing mania may frequently participate in pleasurable but dangerous activities, including unprotected sex and daredevil stunts. One of the types of manic depression, called bipolar I, is classified by one or more episodes of mania: either an elevated mood and three other symptoms, or an irritable mood and four other symptoms.
Step 3
Rate your level of depression. Depression is on the opposite spectrum of mania, with symptoms like low mood, sadness, crying fits, sleep problems, thoughts of suicide or death, withdrawal, discontinuing normal activities and self-harm. Left untreated, depression can grow worse and the risk of suicide increases. Another type of manic depression is bipolar II, which includes periods of depression with interspersed episodes of normal moods or hypomania. Hypomania is mania to a lesser degree, with only a slightly more elevated mood than normal.
Tips and Warnings
- If your type of manic depression does not seem to fall into either the category of bipolar I or bipolar II, you may have bipolar disorder NOS, or "not otherwise specified." Bipolar disorder NOS involves mood problems with serious interference in your life, but the type of bipolar disorder is not clear. If you notice mood swings between depression and mania that impair your daily life, but they are not always severe, you may have cyclothymia. Cyclothymia, however, can develop into complete manic depression.
Things You'll Need
- DSM-IV
References
About this Author
Liz Stannard has her bachelor's of science degree in neuroscience, with minors in classics and Japanese. She has been a freelance writer for five years, covering women's health, politics and medicine.
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