4 Ways to Cope with Manic Depression

1. Get Medicated

Medication is the treatment of choice and the primary resource for coping with manic depression, a type of mood disorder characterized by severe mood swings which alternate between mania and depression. Manic depression is the popular name for a type of disorder classified under the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, type I. Those who suffer from bipolar disorder who are incorrectly diagnosed with unipolar depression and prescribed antidepressant medication will likely experience more rapid mood cycling, increased depression, or both.

A combination of antidepressant medications and mood stabilizers are often used by psychiatrists to treat manic depression, although it usually takes time to fine tune the types and amounts of medications used to treat the individual. Psychiatry is an art, not a science, and the best practitioners are often those with the most experience.

2. Seek Professional Support

The second component of successfully coping with manic depression is finding professional support with a clinical psychologist or a counselor. Such professionals can help monitor compliance with medication regimen, offer psychoeducation for learning about the disorder, and help the individual identify the preliminary signs of a manic episode. Cognitive therapy can often help the individual cope adaptively with stressors which trigger mood cycling and outline a behavioral plan for coping with them. Supportive guidance can also help the individual abstain from counterproductive behaviors such as alcohol use.

3. Enlist Social Support

It can be enormously helpful to find a local support group or enroll in group psychotherapy to cope with manic depression. Psychoeducation about medications, the importance of medication adherence and information about this disorder can be offered within a supportive environment. Group support can also alleviate the sense of isolation that individuals often feel after being diagnosed with this disorder. It may also be helpful to enlist the support of spouses, family and close friends to create a personal support network that promotes a healthy lifestyle and living environment.

4. Get Educated

The best way to cope with most problems is to learn as much as possible about the disorder, treatment options and success rates for all treatment options, and stay patient. It is also important to increase self understanding through psychotherapy, reading and research. Understanding the physiology and the psychosocial components of this disorder, as well as personal stressors, is crucial for long-term recovery.