Also known as bipolar disorder,
manic depression may be inherited and is usually serious and
persistent. As mentioned earlier, not all people suffering from
bipolar depression would have violent mood swings. In some
cases, the transition from depression to mania or elation is
gradual.
Regardless of that, it's
imperative that proper medical attention is given immediately to
the affected individual to prevent the disorder from worsening.
COOPERATE FULLY WITH YOUR DOCTOR.
This is not the time to feel ashamed about your condition. It's
not your fault if you happen to suffer from depression. You
should also understand that your doctor is there to help you and
nothing else. If you don't give your complete trust to your
doctor, the treatment for your condition is most probably not as
effective as it's meant to be.
KEEP A CHART OF ACTIONS AND
EVENTS RELATED TO YOUR CONDITION. Take note of the dates and
times when symptoms of manic depression have occurred. Keeping a
chart would not only help you understand the seriousness of your
condition but it could also show you a trend that you were once
unaware of. Awareness of this trend will better enable you to
identify when you're once again starting to experience the
effects.
NEVER TAKE ANY MEDICATION FOR
MANIC DEPRESSION WITHOUT A GO-AHEAD FROM YOUR DOCTOR.
Although
your desire to be cured is entirely understandable, that doesn't
mean it should overrule common sense. Dabbling with drugs that
you don't fully comprehend can lead to serious medical
complications. If you don't think your present medication is
effective, relay your feelings to your psychiatrist and he will
no doubt see to it that your medication is immediately changed.
Speaking of medication, mood
stabilizers are one of the most common forms of drugs prescribed
for people suffering from depression. With the consumption of
mood stabilizers, there is less chance for it to recur. Lithium
is the first type of mood stabilizer used for treating manic
depression. Anticonvulsant medications like valproate are
conversely used to treat the more serious cases. It's possible
for a doctor to prescribe both anticonvulsant medication and
lithium for manic depression patients.
WHEN A PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT HAS
BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR YOU, FOLLOW THIS RIGOROUSLY. Having
on-and-off treatment will only give you a temporary cure.
Prioritize your therapy sessions as it's the only way for you to
get better.
DON'T KEEP SECRETS. If something
new comes up and it seems to be related to your condition,
inform your doctor immediately. Failing to do so could lead to
more suffering in the future.
TAKE NOTE OF SIDE EFFECTS.
Certain medications for manic depression may make you gain
weight, feel weak or nauseous, and even lose hair. If your
medication has any side effect that bothers you, inform your
doctor about it so he can change your treatment accordingly.
Lastly, don't hide your condition
from your loved ones. Even if you don't have a doctor for a
parent or partner, you'll be amazed at the amount of help they
can give just by providing you comfort and emotional support.
About the Author
Did you know 16% of the world's
population suffer from depression? Author Matthew OConnor runs a
site dedicated to the latest news and developments in www.helpmydepression.info/Manic_Depression.html>
Article
Source: www.freearticles.co.za
