Manic depression is the former term for bipolar disorder. The change was made in 1980 in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the industry standard for diagnosing mental health disorders. Manic depression was initially used to refer to any mental illnesses centered on mood or emotional problems. The…
Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings between abnormally emotional highs and lows. These highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression) affect energy levels, sleep habits, judgment, behavior, and the ability to think clearly. Mood swings, referred to as episodes, can be highly unpredictable, making…
Though bipolar disorder is among the most common mood disorders, it is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. The term bipolar is often used casually to describe a moody person, which detracts from the severity of the disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by severe mood swings between mania and clinical depression periods. Stress strongly impacts these episodes.…
World Bipolar Day takes place each March 30th. On this day, members of the public worldwide are encouraged to use social media platforms to help spread information about the impacts of bipolar disorder to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of bipolar. Supporters of this event are encouraged to use the hashtags #WorldBipolarDay and #BipolarStrong.…
Schizoaffective disorder is a relatively rare chronic mental health disorder affecting less than one percent of the population. Those affected exhibit symptoms similar to schizophrenia (hallucinations and delusions) and bipolar disorder (mania and depression), though not necessarily at the same time. Because of this, individuals suffering from schizoaffective disorder are often initially misdiagnosed and improperly…
Mental health encompasses our psychological, social, and emotional well-being. It affects our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and factors into how we relate to others, handle stressful situations, and make decisions. When our mental health suffers, it can negatively impact all areas of our lives. Mental health disorders are common, affecting millions of people every day.…
If you have decided to seek mental health treatment, you have already taken the most important step, recognizing the need for help. Mental illness affects millions of Americans from all age groups and walks of life, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. In recent years the health care community has worked hard to…
Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that can cause unpredictable and often extreme mood swings, referred to as mania and depression, that can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform day-to-day tasks. Mania is an extremely elevated mood and can last for several days or weeks. Depression caused by bipolar will last for at…