Depression and Mania - Essay Example

? Depression and Mania Depression and Mania Introduction At one time or another in life, people tend to get depressed, in which casetheir moods change. In such a case, an individual’s mood may change from joy to sadness. The change in mood is, however, understandable as people tend to react in accordance with daily events in life as this may not affect an individual’s life greatly. Waring (1927) notes that moods of those with mood disorders in most cases take a long time to last. He argues that the key emotions in mood disorders are depression and mania. Depression in this case is the low and sad state where an individual’s life seems dark coupled with so many challenges. Mania on the other hand is the opposite of depression and refers to a state of breathless euphoria or when an individual is at a state of frenzied energy. This state is extreme in that in mania, people tend to exaggerate belief that the world in no longer theirs. Waring (1927) notes that a majority of people with mood disorder tend to suffer only from depression, also known as unipolar depression. This group of people does not experience mania and will always return to their normal mood as soon as their depression lifts. Consequently, other people experiences periods of mania also known as bipolar, this alternates, with depression periods. This paper will outline the differences between unipolar and bipolar disorders and discuss their causes and symptoms that indicate that an individual is suffering from either of the disorders. Finally, the paper will explore treatments available for patients suffering from the disorders. Unipolar Depression Unipolar depression manifests itself when an individual feels sad in life. It thus refers to a state when an individual feels sad and low in which he or she pessimistically looks at life with regard to overwhelming challenges. Those suffering from this kind of disorder normally resume their normal move after a short time. The disorder is caused mainly by an array of events that happens in an individual’s life. This includes sad evens such as loss of loved one, fatigue or unhappy thoughts such as bad things that have either happened in an individual’s life or is just about to happen (Waring, 1927). Waring argues that some of the disorders are hereditary and can be passed from one generation to the next. Symptoms of Unipolar Depression Waring (1927) argues that the symptoms of unipolar depression tend to differ from one individual to another. It manifest in emotional, motivational, behavioral, cognitional and physical manner. With regard to emotional symptoms, those suffering from unipolar disorder say that they are feeling miserable, humiliated and empty (Waring, 1927). They also argue that they don’t receive pleasure from anything they do and if the individual has all along been humorous, this is lost. Some individuals express this form of depression through crying or feeling anxious, agitated or angry. With regard to motivation, Waring argues that this group of people tends to lose their quench to pursue their usual goals. In most cases, they report lack of initiative, drive and spontaneity. In this case, they tend to force themselves doing things, eating, talking to people or to the extreme having sex. They also feel like taking their lives through suicide (Waring, 1927). Behaviorally, those suffering from uniporlar disorders always feel less productive and active. They prefer staying alone or tend to sleep for long periods. The question they ask is, “what’s the need for waking up early for a miserable day? (Waring, 1927). Waring also notes that these people tend to talk more slowly. With regard to cognitive symptoms, unipolar patients are more pessimistic of themselves. They despise themselves as undesirable, inadequate, and inferior before others. Waring argue that this people tend to blame themselves even for any little unfortunate thing that befalls them even if the thing does not concern them. These people have no appreciation for their achievements (Waring, 1927). Moreover, unipolar patients have a conviction that nothing in their lives can ever improve and are of the view that they can never change any situation of their lives. Waring also reports that unipolar sufferers tend to procrastinate. Some complain that they have poor intellectual. They are confused all the time, easily gets distracted, develop poor memory and sometimes are not able to solve even a small problem (Hutchinson, 2005). Physically unipolar sufferers tend to feel headaches, constipation, indigestion, sleepy and pain. Waring notes that most unipolar sufferers sleep less, eat less and are more fatigued that they usually feel before depression. Treatments of Unipolar Depression. Treatment for this type of disorder depends mostly on the type of depression. The treatments may be biological using electroconvulsive therapy or use of antidepressant drugs. Other methods include psychodynamic therapy, counseling to those suffering from behavioral mania among others (Hutchinson, 2005). Biopolar Depression Bipolar depression refers to a state of breathless euphoria where an individual is depressed to the extreme and has frenzied energy under which a person may have exaggerated belief that the world belong to them. In this case, those suffering from bipolar depression experiences both highs of mania and lows of depression. Waring (1927) notes that those suffering from this disorder say that they have an emotional roller coaster lives. They keep alternating between extreme moods. This disorder is mainly hereditary and can be inherited throughout the generation as research has revealed. Symptoms of bipolar Depression According to Waring (1927), unlike those suffering from unipolar disorder, those suffering from bipolar disorders experience inappropriate mood rise. These are manifested emotionally, behaviorally, physically, motivationally and through cognition. Emotionally, those suffering from the disorder have active and powerful emotions geared towards search of an outlet. They express a euphoric joyous mood, which is over emphasized. Just as Waring realized from a person who was suffering from the disorder saying he does not feel any censorship or restriction. They are not afraid of anything even if their lives are in danger. Waring reports that not all those who suffer from bipolar picture happiness since some are angry and irritable. Behaviorally, mania people tend to be very active. They are ever in a hurry as if there is no enough time to do whatever they are doing. Some talk loud and rapidly and are ever humorous. They are flamboyant and dresses in flashy clothing, extravagantly gives huge amount of money to strangers and at times get into dangerous acts (Hutchinson, 2005). Motivationally, people with bipolar disorder tend to be in need of constant excitements, companionship and involvement. They are outgoing and enthusiastically search for friendship and interests both new and old without knowing that their social style is excessive, overwhelming and domineering (Waring, 1927). Physically this people feel so much energetic. They rarely sleep and always like acting or doing something. Waring notes that even if they happen to miss a sleep, their energy level still tend to remain high. In cognitive perspective, these people have poor planning and judgment since they tend to move too first or feel too good to realize pitfalls. They are difficult to control in terms of their buying sprees or advising on investments. Treatment for Bipolar Disorders Research shows a number of ways by which the disorder can be treated. This includes the use of lithium therapy and adjunctive psychotherapy others also include counseling by a specialist. These forms of therapies are the most advisable for use in treatment of the disorder (Varma, 1997). In conclusion, based on the issue surrounding depression and mania, those suffering from this kind of disorders should be able to seek for medical attention, as the disorders are curable. The treatments in this case may range from therapy, antidepressant to counseling. References Hutchinson, L. (2005). Handbook of review material for Ncmhce: A Collection of Daily E-mails. Florida: Lulu.com. Varma, V. (1997). Managing manic depressive disorders. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Waring, L.W. (1927). Mood disorder (chapter 7). Comerfunda_ch07_dummyB. Jan 15 192-125. Read More