Manic depression
Discussion
Just found out recently that my paternal grandmother, who died several years before I was born, suffered from manic depression. Without going into too many details, this affected my family in ways that still reverberate even now. Its believed that the death of one of her children a few days after childbirth triggered it, she apparently tried to dig the corpse out of the grave.
Can someone tell me in layman's terms what the symptoms are, and if its possibly hereditory? Both my sisters have had treatment for depression, one of them for post-natel depression.
Can someone tell me in layman's terms what the symptoms are, and if its possibly hereditory? Both my sisters have had treatment for depression, one of them for post-natel depression.
quite common by all accounts (1 in every 100 people will suffer with manic depression at some point in their lives)
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/help/manicdep/
www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/help/manicdep/
Parrot of Doom said:
Just found out recently that my paternal grandmother, who died several years before I was born, suffered from manic depression. Without going into too many details, this affected my family in ways that still reverberate even now. Its believed that the death of one of her children a few days after childbirth triggered it, she apparently tried to dig the corpse out of the grave.
Can someone tell me in layman's terms what the symptoms are, and if its possibly hereditory? Both my sisters have had treatment for depression, one of them for post-natel depression.
Another term for it is bipolar disorder, which is descriptive of the mood of the patient, which can vary between severe depression, and flatness of mood, with all the associated factors of depression (hopelessness, helplessness, early morning waking etc) but can then cycle into episodes of manic behaviour, which is the total opposite.
Strangely such patients, when they become manic, start to wear clothes which are garishly coloured, with too much makeup/jewelry etc, but their behaviour changes to that of having boundless energy and being fidgety and hyperactive. They can also become rather sexually inappropriate too. When talking to someone who is manic, they suffer from flight of ideas, which means they talk and talk and seemingly change subject without appreciating, so their brains are working so fast, that they constant ideas keep coming too fast too process.
A good example of a manic depressive is Adam Ant. In hindsight it seems so obvious, but sadly it wasn't picked up for a long time.
968 said:
A good example of a manic depressive is Adam Ant. In hindsight it seems so obvious, but sadly it wasn't picked up for a long time.
Interesting stuff 968.
I was an Antfan first time around - !!. I've always had a soft spot for Adam and have always been saddened by his problems.
I so hope he gets it sorted, but it does seem he has it bad.
A few places I have found of out of interest to learn more on how to help a friend that was diagnosed as being bipolar last month........may be of use, may not
www.bipolar.com
www.bipolarworld.com
www.bipolaraware.co.uk
www.mdf.org.uk
Basically, it is cycles of severe mood swings accompanied by changes in emotions, thoughts, behaviours, physical health and functioning. The mood swings are more extreme and more prolonged than the everyday ups and downs that we all experience. Emotions may vary from from depression and hopelessness through to feeling overly elated('high') or irritable.
People that suffer tend to have a period where they are completley hyper (mania) and then totally down in the blues (depression).
About 1% of the adult population has a bipolar disorder. 12% across a wider spectrum. It most commonly first appears in young people in their early 20s.
Family history can include: Unipolar/bipolar illness, Thyroid problems(associated with maternal side), Post partum mood disorder(with psychosis), Suicide, Alcoholism, Colourful "odd" or eccentric family members.
Hope this helps!
www.bipolar.com
www.bipolarworld.com
www.bipolaraware.co.uk
www.mdf.org.uk
Basically, it is cycles of severe mood swings accompanied by changes in emotions, thoughts, behaviours, physical health and functioning. The mood swings are more extreme and more prolonged than the everyday ups and downs that we all experience. Emotions may vary from from depression and hopelessness through to feeling overly elated('high') or irritable.
People that suffer tend to have a period where they are completley hyper (mania) and then totally down in the blues (depression).
About 1% of the adult population has a bipolar disorder. 12% across a wider spectrum. It most commonly first appears in young people in their early 20s.
Family history can include: Unipolar/bipolar illness, Thyroid problems(associated with maternal side), Post partum mood disorder(with psychosis), Suicide, Alcoholism, Colourful "odd" or eccentric family members.
Hope this helps!
shnozz said:
My oldest and best mate hanged herself as a result of manic depression about 2 1/2 years ago. She was 25. Horrible horrible illness.
It affect more people than one would believe. Had a cousin who sadly did the same as well as friends of the family who killed themselves.
Its very hard (if not impossible) for the person to know they are actually depressed, its also very hard for their family to see it for what it is and try to get help. Often the person wont want help.
Drugs do help - despite the stigma and can return someones life and their family back to almost normal again.
shnozz said:
Horrible horrible illness.
So true. I was very close to someone a while ago who had rapid cycling bipolar, triggered partly by emotional stress and partly it was seemingly seasonal. She was scared witless about telling me, but the attitude I have is that its an illness, and not her fault so the sufferer shouldn't blame themselves, (as they sometimes do when depressed). I saw it as no different to my having had pneumonia a few wonters ago so now I've to be a little careful about smoky bars. Saddest thing is that although many people don't have the insight to know whats going on, my friend did but still seemingly couldn't help it.
There's a fair bit of information online, I've got some links stored on my PC at home. PM me if you would like any of it.
Parrot of Doom said:
Thanks. Lets just say that if these things had happenend today, my Dad and his brothers and sisters would have ended up in care. Its kind of fecked up my relationship with my Dad as well, since he was the 'prime target' all those years ago and he doesn't deal with it well.
Its very difficult dealing with Depression in ones self sometimes or the affect it can have on us through other members of our family,even more so when they are our role models.
Dont let your dads illness beat you and your fathers relationship,sure it makes things difficult sometimes,but altleast you/we are in a world now where we can openly talk with others,years ago it was looked upon as mad.
Some people dont deal with it well ,but it can have a positive side in that we can be of help and support them and build a stronger relationship through it,my way of building on this would be to look to the future and never take anything for granted with Mental illness,its so unpredictable.
I do wonder though.
I don't want to go into further detail about my paternal gran (died before I was born) because its not my place to say. I just wondered if her illness was in some small way passed down the generations. Seems like that might be possible, although I don't want to make excuses. Both my sisters have been treated for depression, I'm the only brother and I've escaped it.
My Dad doesn't have any illness so to speak, but hes never been able to demonstrate any emotions to me other than anger really. Hes provided food and heat and a place to stay, but that was pretty much where his duties ended
Its sad to say that there is no real relationship, and never will be. I'm probably just feeling sorry for myself but I genuinely have not a single memory at all of any 'good times' with him. Actually thats not true, I do remember being 3 years old or so and him reading me flash cards before bedtime. I enjoyed that, but I also remember being told off for being silly at the same time. Haven't seen him now in well over a year, because he doesn't feel the need to visit. Oddly enough, neither do I.
Probably just feeling melancholy because there isn't much work around, and I've got a lot of time to think about things.
One things for sure, if I ever have kids I'll try my damnest to be big enough not to let all this affect them adversely.
I don't want to go into further detail about my paternal gran (died before I was born) because its not my place to say. I just wondered if her illness was in some small way passed down the generations. Seems like that might be possible, although I don't want to make excuses. Both my sisters have been treated for depression, I'm the only brother and I've escaped it.
My Dad doesn't have any illness so to speak, but hes never been able to demonstrate any emotions to me other than anger really. Hes provided food and heat and a place to stay, but that was pretty much where his duties ended
Its sad to say that there is no real relationship, and never will be. I'm probably just feeling sorry for myself but I genuinely have not a single memory at all of any 'good times' with him. Actually thats not true, I do remember being 3 years old or so and him reading me flash cards before bedtime. I enjoyed that, but I also remember being told off for being silly at the same time. Haven't seen him now in well over a year, because he doesn't feel the need to visit. Oddly enough, neither do I.
Probably just feeling melancholy because there isn't much work around, and I've got a lot of time to think about things.
One things for sure, if I ever have kids I'll try my damnest to be big enough not to let all this affect them adversely.
Can't be sure as it was never offically diagnosed but my dad was a manic depressive we believe. He was a very clever man, he was a hand engraver and goldsmith, and also an amazing musician and composer.
He would sometimes (rarely) be the happiest man alive and a joy to be with, and other times he would be unrationally angry/violent to myself, my mother and my brother. He'd flip over the smallest things and demand impossible tasks. He'd lock himself in his bedroom with a bottle of gin or two or more for days on end and we'd all suffer for it. Mum would either be trying to talk him round or being shouted at, or either myself or my brother would be the go-between relaying messgages to and from mum and dad. He'd turn off the electric for the house and we'd all have to sit in darkness sometimes. Othertimes he wouldn't let me or my brother out to work (I had a job in a restaurant across the road).
He died of cancer of the throat about 8 years ago now after being ill for maybe 2 years (he was 56), and as much as I dearly miss him, we all lead happier lives now. Mum now has the freedom to enjoy life (and bless her she deserves it more than anyone), and me and my brother are hugely more confident and happier.
Dad, especially in his later years, was unhappy with life in general, and his passing was more of a relief for him than the rest of us I believe.
It's a hard thing to live with, for the person who is suffering and also the people close to them. Don't believe it's always (or ever?) passed down though. I'm a pretty chirpy optamistic(sp?) person, as is my brother, but both our personalities seem to be closer to mums rather than dads.
Anyhow, sorry about the depressing post.....carry on
>> Edited by _dan_ on Thursday 9th February 04:52
He would sometimes (rarely) be the happiest man alive and a joy to be with, and other times he would be unrationally angry/violent to myself, my mother and my brother. He'd flip over the smallest things and demand impossible tasks. He'd lock himself in his bedroom with a bottle of gin or two or more for days on end and we'd all suffer for it. Mum would either be trying to talk him round or being shouted at, or either myself or my brother would be the go-between relaying messgages to and from mum and dad. He'd turn off the electric for the house and we'd all have to sit in darkness sometimes. Othertimes he wouldn't let me or my brother out to work (I had a job in a restaurant across the road).
He died of cancer of the throat about 8 years ago now after being ill for maybe 2 years (he was 56), and as much as I dearly miss him, we all lead happier lives now. Mum now has the freedom to enjoy life (and bless her she deserves it more than anyone), and me and my brother are hugely more confident and happier.
Dad, especially in his later years, was unhappy with life in general, and his passing was more of a relief for him than the rest of us I believe.
It's a hard thing to live with, for the person who is suffering and also the people close to them. Don't believe it's always (or ever?) passed down though. I'm a pretty chirpy optamistic(sp?) person, as is my brother, but both our personalities seem to be closer to mums rather than dads.
Anyhow, sorry about the depressing post.....carry on
>> Edited by _dan_ on Thursday 9th February 04:52
Moving a bit off the depression point - one of the tough things about growing older is the realisation that our parents aren't all that we would want to be.
It sounds to me like you've got a number of issues here - the concern about the hereditary nature of the depression and the sadness at the quality of your childhood and of your relationship with your dad.
I had to learn that my dad wasn't all I'd have liked him to be. As a potted version my parents divorced when I was tiny and he behaved dreadfully both before and afterwards. I didn't know very much about it as my mum covered well for him. It was only a number of years ago when my nan died (my mum died many years before) and I was clearing out some papers I found correspondence that made it very clear to me what a prat he'd been.
I did a lot of soul searching and in the end decided to let bygones be bygones and to accept that when he was the age I am now he was a prat. I had to chose whether to hate him and not have a relationship with him or to accept that we all make mistakes and to accept him for what he is - weaknesses and all.
I couldn't talk to him about it - is is of a generation where they don't talk about their feelings so he knows nothing of what I know.
I made the decision that you can't change the past but you can influence the future.
Good luck, I hope you work this all out.
It sounds to me like you've got a number of issues here - the concern about the hereditary nature of the depression and the sadness at the quality of your childhood and of your relationship with your dad.
I had to learn that my dad wasn't all I'd have liked him to be. As a potted version my parents divorced when I was tiny and he behaved dreadfully both before and afterwards. I didn't know very much about it as my mum covered well for him. It was only a number of years ago when my nan died (my mum died many years before) and I was clearing out some papers I found correspondence that made it very clear to me what a prat he'd been.
I did a lot of soul searching and in the end decided to let bygones be bygones and to accept that when he was the age I am now he was a prat. I had to chose whether to hate him and not have a relationship with him or to accept that we all make mistakes and to accept him for what he is - weaknesses and all.
I couldn't talk to him about it - is is of a generation where they don't talk about their feelings so he knows nothing of what I know.
I made the decision that you can't change the past but you can influence the future.
Good luck, I hope you work this all out.
_dan_ said:
Can't be sure as it was never offically diagnosed but my dad was a manic depressive we believe. He was a very clever man, he was a hand engraver and goldsmith, and also an amazing musician and composer.
He would sometimes (rarely) be the happiest man alive and a joy to be with, and other times he would be unrationally angry/violent to myself, my mother and my brother. He'd flip over the smallest things and demand impossible tasks. He'd lock himself in his bedroom with a bottle of gin or two or more for days on end and we'd all suffer for it. Mum would either be trying to talk him round or being shouted at, or either myself or my brother would be the go-between relaying messgages to and from mum and dad. He'd turn off the electric for the house and we'd all have to sit in darkness sometimes. Othertimes he wouldn't let me or my brother out to work (I had a job in a restaurant across the road).
He died of cancer of the throat about 8 years ago now after being ill for maybe 2 years (he was 56), and as much as I dearly miss him, we all lead happier lives now. Mum now has the freedom to enjoy life (and bless her she deserves it more than anyone), and me and my brother are hugely more confident and happier.
Dad, especially in his later years, was unhappy with life in general, and his passing was more of a relief for him than the rest of us I believe.
It's a hard thing to live with, for the person who is suffering and also the people close to them. Don't believe it's always (or ever?) passed down though. I'm a pretty chirpy optamistic(sp?) person, as is my brother, but both our personalities seem to be closer to mums rather than dads.
Anyhow, sorry about the depressing post.....carry on
>> Edited by _dan_ on Thursday 9th February 04:52
sounds a familiar story to me.......my father has spent time in care for depression and is prone to it apparently......
This thread has described the symptoms of manic depression well. The cause of the illness is a chemical imbalance - I like to use the analogy of diabetes - which can, with suitable counselling and consultation, be controlled with medication. Just like diabetes. 
All IMHO, I am not a Doctor - usual disclaimers apply, the value of your investment may go down as well as up ....
>> Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 9th February 09:38
Just like diabetes. All IMHO, I am not a Doctor - usual disclaimers apply, the value of your investment may go down as well as up ....
>> Edited by jeremyc on Thursday 9th February 09:38
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