Being manic-depressive, or bipolar, is different than the normal ups and downs many people experience. In bipolar disorder (BP), like anxiety disorders, the symptoms are severe. BP is basically a disorder of brain functioning that causes extreme shifts or swings in a person's mood or energy. And it is very often debilitating.

With depression, awareness is critical. Depression is an illness, and depression needs treatment. Women experience depression about twice as often as men. Yet the rate of suicide among men is four times that of women. Men are less likely to admit to depression and less likely to seek help. Also, men's and women's descriptions of symptoms are often different, with men reporting or experiencing anger and irratabilty and women reporting feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.

Treatments for depression: Medication and therapy

If you or someone close to you might be experiencing depression (see symptoms), the most important thing is diagnosis and treatment. Depression can make one feel exhausted, worthless, helpless, and hopeless. Such negative thoughts and feelings make some people feel like giving up or not seeking help. It is important to realize that these negative views are part of the depression and typically don't accurately reflect the actual circumstances. Negative thinking and thoughts fade as treatment begins to help.

Because bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness, long-term preventive treatment is strongly recommended and almost always indicated. A strategy that combines medication and psychosocial treatment is optimal for managing the disorder over time.