Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, is a psychiatric condition defined by successive bouts of distinguished mood disturbance. Such disturbance ranges from extensive depression to uncontrolled mania. People experiencing manic depression typically face states of mania and hypomania. These states of depression mingle with normal moods and behavior. Manic depressives experience extreme mood swings repeatedly alternating between high and low feelings. Although not always, manic depressives often

There are many different causes of manic depression. Symptoms tend to occur in late adolescence and early adulthood. Diagnosis may occur through self-awareness, where the person realizes what is happening and seeks help. At other times, friends, loved ones, or others may notice behavioral problems and recommend testing and treatment. Many people have feelings of anger, frustration, irritation, etc; pressure and stress from different areas of our lives seem to cause endless feelings of frustration. Not everyone who faces different feelings and mood changes is necessarily a manic-depressive. However, if these intense mood changes occur regularly throughout the day for long periods of time with no apparent reasonable causes, depression testing is recommended.

Manic depression is often treated through therapy sessions and/or medication. There is a range of different medication used in treatments; such medications are commonly called antidepressants or mood stabilizers. Manic-depressive therapy treatment aims to discover the cause of mood swings. With professional help, manic-depressives can often find the causes that trigger mood swings and with help, learn to harness their feelings and keep these under control. Hospitalization is also used in extreme cases when a person suffering from manic depression is perceived as a threat to themselves or others although extensive hospital stays are not common in depression cases.