Manic depression is a symptom of the more severe form of depression which is caused by Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a cluster of mood disorders distinguished by disturbances which are recurring in the affected person’s mood, and behavior and even their thoughts. Signs of depression which are manic depression are alternated between a high and a low. The person is sometimes extremely happy and in an elevated mental state while at other times can be irritated and extremely depressed. These people also have manic episodes which could last for as long as a week at times. Mood swings which are most common in manic depression caused by a bipolar disorder are most often a genetic disorder
Most people who suffer from bipolar disorder and manic depression have had someone in the family suffer with this problem. The signs of depression are accompanied by physiological ones too like sleeplessness, lethargy and over activity alternately and all this affects their social life too. While those suffering with manic depression have attacks of mania it becomes difficult for the family members to cope with it. Treatment is required which will suppress these mood swings and keep the person in a near normal frame of mind. All signs of depression disappear with proper treatment, but medication cannot be stopped as the problem is permanent and cannot be eliminated completely. People with manic depression have been known to commit suicide when they are in a low mood. Many take to drug abuse and alcohol to cope with the symptoms.