Is this manic depression?

Question

My mother has been complaining about going through periods of time where she's so depressed she doesn't want to get up in the morning and cries all the time. During this time she also tends to get extremely angry and lashes out at everyone around her. When she isn't like this, she's so full of energy that she won't even sit still and tries to clean the entire house. She gets so wound up when everyone doesn't feel the same as he rthough, during this period, that she takes over every chore in the house and wears herself out and gets sick.

Is this manic depression? I want her to seek help before she really hurts herself but I don't know if this is even the issue or if it's something else. Disorders like schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder tend to run in our family, if that helps at all.

Answer 1

This does sound like a typical bipolar case. I recommend getting her evaluated though because a single mental disorder can take various forms in different people. For instance, I was diagnosed with bipolar. Usually doctors prescribe an anti-depressant, but in my case, an anti-depressant would actually make me worse! I have extreme racing thoughts so if racing thoughs are prominent in your mom's case it is IMPORTANT that she tell a doctor that before taking any meds. An anti-depressant could actually send her into a manic episode if that is her case. I also advise your to mom research any prescribed meds before actually taking them. My doctor tried convincing me my meds were harmless, but I learned other wise. Now I chose to battle my bipolar without meds. In any case, whether on meds or not, I must warn you, it will be a rough road for you and your mom. Good luck!

P.S. Your mom maybe be OCD and bipolar. OCD can actually trigger bipolar considering they both are produced from the same chemical off-balance in the brain. OCD is treated with anti-depressant though, which can be harmful to certain bipolars, like I mentiond early. It's very important that your mom rule out both disorders so she can receive proper treatment! Only your mother truly knows what is going on inside of her mind. She may have symptoms she isn't telling you about. Some OCD patients only have obsessions without the compulsions. Convince her to research the two disorders, compare her symptoms, and take her findings to a doctor! As far as her cleaning, that falls under bipolar & OCD, but it all depends on the reason why she is actually cleaning. If she is cleaning due to fear of germs, that is OCD. If she is cleaning due to excessive energy, that is bipolar. Bipolars can even become extremely agressive during an elated mood as well, so keep an eye out for that.

Answer 2

This sounds like classic Manic Depression or Bi-Polar Disorder. However, your mother needs to be professionally evaluated. The sooner the better.

I've been living with my wife's Manic Depression for about 13 years. It will probably take some time to get your mother on a proper medication regimen.

You and other family and friends may be able to find support in a local chapter of NAMI. Most chapters run family support meetings for the loved ones of the mentally ill.

Answer 3

Manic depression is characterized by periods when one is really really down in the depressive stage, to the manic stage when one is really hyper and seems like they have to keep going on and on, and have super human energy. Thus it would seem like she is going through the episodes of manic depression. On the other hand you mention about schizophrenia and obscession/compulsion in you family. Unfortunately, these can co-exist together so that one does not know what the primary illness is unless it is diagnosed by the doctor familiar with the idiosyncracies of each one. Since none of these states are normal or healthy for your mom, and you do have a familial predisposition of mentall illness in your family, I would definitely get her into a doctor for more definitive help. The good thing is that these illness can be treated with medication.

Answer 4

It does sound like manic depression to me. I'd get her booked with a Psychiatrist very soon. She needs to go on medication to balance out her serotonin and her dopamine or she can have very serious problems. Manic-depressive disorders tend to run in families more often then regular depression, so I'd say your mental-illness history in your family makes manic-depression highly suspect.

Good job on figuring the illness out, I hope your Mom does alright :)

Answer 5

The anxiety disorder that causes OCD in your family can cause mood swings like that. An antidepressant might even out her moods. Tell her that it will stop her mind from racing and she should be anxious to take it. Mind racing is maddening, especially at night when you are trying to go to sleep.

Answer 6

short answer yes. But you should get her evaluated.

Be careful when people tell you that if the highs are mild its not manic depression.... Manic depression hits everyone differently. You don't have to have HUGE highs or lows. People can have any combination you can think of. Little highs big lows, little lows big highs...

Answer 7

Sounds very close to biplar disease with the exception that the extremes are mild. It may fit into a classification of cyclothymic disease. Have her talk to her primary care physician since they are able to dispense medications that can help and can follow her progress.

Answer 8

hello, my name is kathey,
to answer your question , yes she does, when she gets really happy she is manic, when she drops to a low it is depression. how i know , is i have manic depression, ocd, panic, stress disorder. when i am down, i spend alot of time in my room. but my house is clean. if u want to talk let me know k_hanel_06 on messager, [e-mail] am on very good meds now still up and down but not has much.
concerned kathey

Answer 9

the only way to know for sure is to seek the help of a Dr. Good Luck I've been BP for 30 years

Answer 10

It very well could be. You didn't say how old she is but the symptoms your describing could also be the onset of menopause. Hormones or lack of them can mess up pretty badly also. Best encourage her to see her doctor.