Understanding Manic Depressive Psychosis

Manic depressive psychosis is a life altering illness that can severely affect a person’s ability to function and carry out day to day tasks. This is because manic depressive psychosis severely affects a person’s energy levels and moods. A person suffering from manic depression can alternate between deep depression and manic episodes when a person is overly happy and excitable.

Manic depression can affect a person’s ability to hold down a job, attend school, and can also damage relationships with loved ones. However this is also a mental illness that can be treated though treatment lasts a lifetime.

Typical Symptoms

Behaviorally a person may alternate between two extremes. When feeling depressed an individual may feel extremely tired, entertain suicidal thoughts, and have difficulty concentrating. The opposite of this behavior may include high risk behavior such as promiscuity and spending sprees, seemingly boundless energy, and may talk fast and experience racing thoughts.

In addition to the mood swings a person with manic depressive psychosis may hallucinate or have delusions. Delusions can cause someone to believe that they have special powers, are extremely rich, or are famous when experiencing a manic state of mind. When experiencing a depressive mood a person can experience delusions such as bankruptcy, or the belief that they have committed a crime.

Support System

Once the diagnosis of manic depressive psychosis has been reached it is important manic depression support is offered to the patient. Emotional support is vital to help someone get through treatment. It is important to be patient and understanding with someone who is seeking treatment for manic depressive psychosis.

Family members may need to be present during doctor’s appointments to fully understand the disease and what treatment involves. Relatives and loved ones can be very helpful when it comes to treatment. Whenever a patient has suicidal thoughts or manic episodes it is necessary to report them to the patient’s doctor or therapist.

Successful Treatment

For treatment of manic depressive psychosis to work it is important that the patient sticks to the treatment plan. Maintaining a regular schedule is also important for the success of treatment to continue. Finally learning all you can about your disease is also extremely important for your treatment to work.

Learning when an episode is about to happen can be helpful in avoiding an escalation of the condition. It is also important to have realistic expectation of treatment; symptoms will start to ease gradually over time with continued treatment.