The treatment for manic depression is individualized to cater to each patient and should never be attempted alone. Seeking the help of a qualified psychiatrist that you feel comfortable with is your first step toward a controlled and happy life. There are three main types of medications your doctor will probably prescribe to you in your course of treatment for manic depression. The first is a mood stabilizer. They regulate your moods so that you do not swing from high to low or vice versa. One of the most popular types of mood stabilizers is Lithium. You will most likely be prescribed this medication for the rest of your life. It is important to remember to take it as prescribed to achieve the desired results.
The second type of medication you will probably receive is an anti-seizure medication. They also help off-set mood swings, but more importantly especially in the case of those with a very rapid cycle of bi-polar swings they help to prevent seizures caused by the violent changes in moods.
The third type of medication you will likely receive are antidepressants. Unlike the first two of the medications above, the antidepressant drugs may or may not be prescribed depending on your own individual situation. Not all manic depressive patients require an ongoing antidepressant drug and it may cause manic episodes in some instances. Your doctor will help you decide if this is a necessary medication for your condition.
Other medications such as drugs to help you sleep, or relieve anxiety may also be prescribed to help alleviate the symptoms of manic depression. Your doctor will devise a proper course of medicines that will help you control all of the issues surrounding your illness.
Always keep in close contact with your physician as you begin your course of treatment. Not all medications work for every individual and there are many different forms of each one so that you treatment can be tailored to work best for you. This can be an on-going trial and error process at the start, but well worth the effort to adjust and change as the need arises to give you the most beneficial results.
Do not expect immediate improvement at the very beginning of your medication protocol. It may take several weeks to notice a change in your behaviors. During the course of your treatment and probably for the rest of your life you will have continued therapy sessions with your psychiatrist to evaluate and help you through your issues in dealing with the disease. There are several forms of this therapy and you will probably be involved in all at one time or another. The individual therapy, for yourself in dealing with your illness, family therapy to help your family members best help you and deal with the issues and impacts of your illness on the entire family unit, and group therapy where you can talk with others who are going through similar situations and learn how they combat their illness are all helpful procedures for your healthy life.
In some cases your psychiatrist will deem in necessary to have you hospitalized to control your medications or get your illness in check. Always follow the advice of your therapist for the very best outcome and you will soon begin to experience the full and active lifestyle that you deserve.
With just a few tips on dealing with Manic Depression you can learn to be alert for the signs of trouble and keep yourself on track. Living a productive and happy life when you have been diagnosed with Manic depression can be done. All it requires is some attention to the little things. You can start by asking yourself some basic questions:
Are you getting enough sleep? One of the signs of depression is not being able to get out of bed. If you notice that you can never seem to get up and do anything, or you just don't want to get out of bed that is a warning sign that things are taking a turn for the worse. However, there is a difference between not being able to get out of bed, and making sure you are getting enough sleep. It's common today with our fast-paced lives for anyone to neglect the need for a good night's sleep, or even a nap in the day if it is necessary. Sleep can play an important part in helping us to regulate our body's hormones and emotional levels as well. If you are unable to get enough sleep, you need to talk to you physician as well. The inability to sleep is also a warning sign for depression.
Are you eating healthy? McDonald's and Twinkies won't cut it. You have to eat well-balanced meals that are high in vitamins and other necessary nutritional values to keep your body working at its best. Studies have also shown that foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids help balance out the symptoms of psychiatric disorders like manic depression.
Are you getting enough exercise? A daily regimen of something as simple as a walk will greatly help to alleviate stress and regulate the body's ability to deal with the symptoms of manic depression. Exercise has been proven to release hormones into the blood stream that are valuable to our mental health and stability. Plan a little exercise every day, and a good workout two or three times a week.
Once you have your daily needs under control, it helps to make a plan for when you see that you may be getting out of control. Have a list of numbers to call for help if you feel you are in need of assistance. These numbers not only include the normal doctor, ambulance, hospital etc, but also friends and family that you know you can count on to be there to help you even if it is just to listen to your problems.
Know what to look for as warning signs of coming trouble. We've already mentioned not being able to get out of bed, or not being able to sleep as a sign of trouble starting. There are also other signs to be aware of such as: feeling over-burdened. It is okay to say stop. I need a break. If you feel the task you are attempting is too great. Try breaking it down into smaller pieces, but if it still feels like it is too much say so. If the feelings of being over-taxed persist call for help.
Another sign of trouble is uncontrolled behavior. This is hard for you to recognize when you are at the height of mania. It helps if you have a trusted friend or family member who can help you recognize things like over-spending, over-eating, talking too rapidly, or your thoughts being out of control. If these types of symptoms continue unchecked, or will not subside with the help of your friend or family, seek medical attention to get control of the problem quickly.
Become an expert on the many signs of your illness. Know that what is true for one may not be true for you and vice versa. Knowing what all of the signs of manic depression are, and what ones you are most subject to will help you identify problems before they grow to insurmountable levels. With proper planning and care you can have a happy and stable life that you can enjoy with your friends and family.
Ronen David has sinced written about articles on various topics from Depression Cure, Beauty Procedure and Family. Ronen David is the chairman of "Malam" (an Israeli organization supporting and representing those dealing with mental disabilities). He is the author of the "How to Cope With Psychosis & Schizophrenia Self Help Handbook".Visit his web site and learn. Ronen David's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.