Manic-depression is also known as bipolar disorder. The disorder is characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania and occurs in 1% of the population. The depressive episodes can range in severity from dysthymia to major depressive episodes. The major depressic episodes are classified as periods of at least two weeks in length during which sadness, lethargy, insomnia or excessive sleep, increase or decrease in appetite, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation or suicide attempts are present. Dysthymia is the milder form of depression, during ehich suicidal ideation and attempts are not present. Manic episodes are of at least two weeks in duration and are characterized by euphoria, flight of idea, grandiose delusions, pressured speech, increased activity, and insomnia.
Although individuals can obviouslt suffer from depressica episodes withour ever experiencing manic episode, very few ever have only manic episodes. Much of the existing body of knowledge concerning the causes of manic-depression points to genetics. Many scientists have isolated single genes to which they believe manic-depression can be attributed; however, very few agree on which gene it is.
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/neuro/neuro99/web1/Bromwell.html
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