Manic depressive disease, also known as manic depression and bipolar disorder, is a mood disorder where symptoms typically begin between ages 15 and 25, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Patients with manic depressive disease have symptoms of mania and depression.
Types of Manic Depressive Disorder
The Mayo Clinic states that patients can be diagnosed with one of three types of manic depressive disorder: bipolar I (mainly mania symptoms), bipolar II (depression symptoms with hypomania) and cyclothymia (minor depression and hypomania).
Mania Symptoms
Symptoms of mania include euphoria, rapid speech, risky behavior, poor judgment, decreased need for sleep and a tendency to be easily distracted, according to the Mayo Clinic. Patients with hypomania have less severe symptoms of mania.
Depression Symptoms
Symptoms of depression include guilt, sadness, fatigue, suicidal thoughts or behavior, loss of interest in activities and hopelessness, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Changing Symptoms
Some manic depressive disorder patients may have rapid cycling bipolar disorder, where they have four or more mood swings within a year, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other patients may have mixed state bipolar disorder, where they have mania and depression symptoms simultaneously.
Misdiagnosis
The NIH states that patients with bipolar II and cyclothymia are often misdiagnosed with a depressive disorder, due to the similarity of symptoms.
