If my great grandmother was manic depressive what are the chances that i will be or that my children will be?

A tendency towards mental illness does run in families, but that's no guarantee that you'll get the illness. Most families have a history of mental illness, but comparatively, very few people are mentally ill, which is encouraging.

Keep yourself (and your children, if you have them) healthy: eat well, excercise, get a healthy sleeping pattern. If you've had traumatic life experiences, or if you're feeling stressed, seek counselling. All of these things lessen your risk of mental illness, although nothing can eliminate the risk completely.

I'm just wondering if this is a common mistake on the parts of doctors, since the two disorders share a few symptoms. And the effects on a manic depressive who's been taking adderall for years instead of proper antidepressants. Any insight?

30% of the time, seek second opinion

why and how is this?

is there a way to naturally balance the two sides or is the manic side really the right one?

thanks for your answers ?
why does the depressed side feel the way it does?
why do some feel mostly depressed, instead of manic?
to the first answerer, yes, but could you explain why?

Chemical imbalance, I think. Think the term is bipolar.

What if all your friends, family and acquaintances say you are a manic depressive but no matter how hard you try to get help your doctor just says its anxiety?

manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, requires a psychiatric evaluation and that requires a psychiatrist. General practitioners are not equipped or trained in the finer skills of psychiatry, they are lucky if they got a semester in school. So, if you are concerned, see a psychiatrist.

My roommate has become a "Rocket Man" with manic behavior and I am stuck here with his mania. As I am bipolar myself, I am aware of the symptoms, but don't know how to handle this guy.

Mania can be a very dangerous phase, and as for trying to control someone there – it is difficult.

Clearly if they are a friend then you need to watch out for them and try too stop them doing anything too dangerous or stupid.

Perhaps you can then talk when they are feeling better and ask them when it happens next time what they would like you to do for them.

I have to do a power point about manic depression for both my science and health class, and I'm not going to be anywhere near a computer for the next week and everything is due on next Sunday. If you think this sounds kind of hurried, then, yeah, it pretty much is.

But, I was wondering if anyone new a website or information about the long and short term effects of this disease. If you're giving me information from a website, the website would be most helpful. If you dont know where you got the information from, I'm sure I can fudge something up.

Thanks!

website below for you hope you get it done in time.

Hi, i'm a long term sufferer of bipolar disorder or severe manic depression, i'd like to work but not sure how employers and other staff would react to me with my frequent changes of mood and if I was to work what sort of work would or could i do?
Of some of the comments I have read, people refer to the importance of keeping on the medication, others refer to the creativity of bipolar suffers and someone asked my interests- One of the problems I had is that I have 2 a levels in computer tech and an interest in mechanics and electrics, when I had been taking my medication for a long time I was having difficulty with what were for me simple tasks, at times I couldn't figure out faults with my own computer that I built. Sure, the effects of the disorder are worse without the medication – but is it worth unlearning what I spent years studying out of boredom? It has caused family issues not being on the medication, but I find it hard to accept that i will progressivly become more stupid if i take them.

First off, try leveling out the swings by taking your medication. If it isn't working, try something else. The biggest problem is that when you feel better, you tend to stop taking your medication. Some of the most creative people I know are manic depressives. Office work, where you work independently sometimes is the answer. You need to be around other people to help keep you on track. You have to go with your strong points and what you like to do. It's better to fit into a job you like, than just take what others think you should have. Lots of people have mood swings, so work at leveling them off, with counseling or medication, but be consistant. You can be whatever you set your mind to be. Don't give up!!!

Just got out of school. I was diagnosed during my schooling as having manic depression. I don't have a job and no matter how hard I try cannot seem to hold a job down for more than 4-5 months. Doc says I am high-high functioning whatever that means. I could be wrong, but I believe that disqualifies me from recieving disability. I now have over $16,000 in loans and the future looks dim. Like I could be homeless someday soon. Please help with any advice you may have. I'd be happy to talk to you too if you'd let me. Thanks.

I think it will be difficult for you to obtain benefits because (a) you graduated from college and (b) your doctor feels that you are high-functioning.

So here is what you can do:
1) Check you meds. They may not be the best combination to help you function.
2) Find a low-stress job, with flexible hours. It may not be your dream job, but you will be able to keep it and make money.
3) Get into therapy so that you can learn alternative methods for coping.

If you made it through college, you can make it through a job.
Just make sure you choose one that is low-stress and flexible.

I worry about my children. Are there ways to diagnose manic depression in young without making too much into just normal adolescent behavior?

It is widely believed that bipolar disorder/manic depression is genetic. It doesn't usually rear it's ugly head until later in life though, usually after the age of 25. If you are concerned about your children, you could have them see a therapist, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you really feel that they are spiraling out of control. If you take them to a therapist because of your own fears, they may end up resenting you for it.

what colour is used for bipolar / manic depression – for example on ribbons etc etc??

Also is there a universal symbol for bipolar?? I saw one that looks kinda like a capital P but with the round part in the middle – do you know what it means??

Thanks

That would be a silver ribbon. It covers all genres of mental illness, as well as children with diabeties (I don't know why diabeties is lumped into that category, but oh well).

As for a universal symbol, can't say I've ever heard of one, sorry.