manic depression

Mental disorder characterized by recurring periods of either depression or mania (inappropriate elation, agitation, and rapid thought and speech) or both. Sufferers may be genetically predisposed to the condition. Some cases have been improved by taking prescribed doses of lithium.

Some manic-depressive patients have only manic attacks, others only depressive, and in others the alternating, or circular, form exists. The episodes may be of varying severity, from mild to psychotic (when the patient loses touch with reality and may experience hallucinations), and sometimes continue for years without interruption.

In the USA, approximately 1% of the population suffer with manic depression. One tenth of those who suffer from the disorder will eventually commit suicide.

In March 2001, a scientific study found that long-term use of lithium salts for manic depression can leads to kidney disease, tremors, drowsiness, and diarrhoea. However, lithium needs to be taken in the long term to be effective.