Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder)

	Manic Depression or manic depressive illness is also referred to as bipolar affective disorder or bipolar disorder. The term unipolar is often used for depression and bipolar for manic depression.
	The illness can cause excessive changes of mood with swings from extreme depression to great elation and hyperactivity.
	1 in 100 people will experience manic depression (bipolar disorder) at some time in their life.
	Women are almost twice as likely as men to experience manic depression (1.8:1.0).
	Women are particularly vulnerable at adolescence, post partum and menopause.
	1 in 7 people with manic depression untreated will commit suicide.
	On average, it takes five years to be correctly diagnosed for manic depression (bipolar disorder).
	The cause of the illness is not fully understood but research is being carried out into genetic, biochemical and environmental factors each of which can play a role.
	The symptoms of mania can be elevated mood, hyperactivity, deluded thinking, irritability, irrational spending of money, inflated self esteem and poor judgement.
	Major depression is characterised by symptoms such as morbid sadness, lowered self-esteem and decreased energy which may interfere with the ability to work, sleep eat and enjoy once pleasurable activities.
	Of all psychiatric illnesses, mood disorders are among the most responsive to treatment 60-80% of cases can be controlled or reduced.
	An increasing number of manic depressives are finding that self-management techniques can help them regain control of their lives.