Manic-depressive psychosis
Manic-depressive psychosis is a complex specific disease, manifested by two polarities of its characteristics: depression and mania. As a rule, patients are more susceptible to the manifestation of one condition. In the interim period, the patient is characterized by a state of interphase. If there is a sharp change from one polar state to another, then the patient falls into an extremely serious condition, in which symptoms of both phases of manic-depressive syndrome manifest themselves. This condition is also called bipolar affective disorder.
CAUSES OF MANIC-DEPRESSIVE SYNDROME
This disease belongs to the autosomal dominant type, usually transmitted from mother to child. There is a version that a certain gene is responsible for the predominance of one of two affective states (depression or psychosis).
At the physical level, the syndrome is a consequence of the work of the higher emotional centers, which are located in the subcortical part. In case of violation of the processes of inhibition and excitation, the development of the clinical picture of the disease is provoked. A variety of external factors, such as stress, relationships with others, are only concomitant causes of psychosis, but not the main risk factors for its occurrence.
SYMPTOMS OF MANIC-DEPRESSIVE SYNDROME
This syndrome is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms, such as increased speech and motor activity of the patient, his unmotivated good mood. Such patients, as a rule, talk a lot, joke, laugh, move actively, but at the same time all their activities are ineffective.
The duration of manic-depressive syndrome can be limited to several weeks or six months. This period is characterized by inappropriate behavior of the patient, with sudden hobbies and ideas, extravagance, alcohol consumption, promiscuous sexual relations, etc.
At the moment of exacerbation of the manic state, the patient completely lacks critical thinking, he cannot give a real assessment of his capabilities, extols his achievements and categorically does not agree that he is sick, therefore it is extremely difficult to get him to take medications.
In the depressive form of the disease, the patient is indifferent to everything, his emotions and speech are inhibited. In some cases, there is a complete loss of all feelings and needs. Since the patient loses interest in life, he may show suicidal tendencies.
DIAGNOSIS OF MANIC-DEPRESSIVE SYNDROME
In order to exclude organic brain damage , the patient is prescribed:
MRI;
electroencephalography;
radiography;
The peculiarity of diagnosing manic-depressive syndrome is its differentiation from other diseases. In case of an erroneous diagnosis, the treatment that will be prescribed to the patient will not bring the expected result.
TREATMENT OF MANIC-DEPRESSIVE SYNDROME
For the treatment of manic-depressive psychosis, antipsychotic drugs are used to stop arousal and have a general sedative effect. In addition, haloperedol and lithium salts are prescribed as a supplement, but only under strict medical supervision, since these drugs can cause serious complications.
With the predominance of depressive states, the patient is prescribed antidepressants. In the severe form of the disease, sessions of electroconvulsive therapy, therapeutic fasting and fasting diets are used.
