Manic depression symptoms involve dramatic mood swings. Manic depression can make a person feel very low lows and very high highs. Manic depression symptoms can have an individual cycling between these mood swings without them even being aware of what is happening. Some people may have these mood cycling changes every day. Others may only cycle every few months. Some people will experience periods of calm and peacefulness between the mood cycling and lead normal lives.  

Manic depression symptoms usually become apparent in young adulthood. However, manic depression symptoms can also appear in childhood. Since manic depression is a mood disorder it does affect the person’s energy levels, as well as sleeping patterns, their speech, judgment, thinking and even their appetite.

Mania is the term used to describe the high mood of manic depression. The low mood of manic depression is labeled depression.  The cycling between mania and depression greatly disrupts an individual’s life. It can tear apart their relationships and keep them from being able to lead a productive career unless it is controlled through medication.

When an individual is in the manic cycle they may overindulge in many things including spending, sex, drugs, alcohol and other reckless behaviors. When an individual is in the depression cycle they may be unable to bathe or get out of bed.

Here are a few of the manic depression symptoms of mania:

• Overly happy, energetic and optimistic
• Overly angry, irritable, provocative or aggressive
• Impaired judgment, unpredictable and reckless
• Exhibits high amount of mental energy
• Easily excited
• Feels very intelligent, may have marked creative potential
• Rapidly talks, talks in extremes  
• Decreased need of sleep
• Inflated ego
• Delusional, hallucinations
• Restless, bored, distracted 

Here are a few of the manic depression symptoms of depression:

• Tearful and sad
• Feelings of hopeless and helpless
• Feelings of worthless
• Low self-esteem
• Feelings of indifference, flat mood
• Fatigue, lack of energy
• Loses interest in sex
• Angry, worried, anxious or feelings of guilt
• Slowed speech, talks less
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in appetite
• May sleep more
• Withdraws from social situations and interactions
• May have suicidal thoughts

Individuals with manic depression usually seek out treatment more often during the depression cycle of manic depression than they do during the manic phase. This is probably due to the fact that during the manic phase individuals feel they are fine, highly intelligent and they have an inflated ego and feel on top of the world.

When the depression cycle hits these people may recognize that they are having difficulties with their emotions. However, they may become so severely depressed that they are unable to seek out help when they need it. It is very important that individuals who suffer from manic depression are surrounded by a support system that is educated about manic depression.