What is the condition often referred to as manic depression?

Manic depression is an older term that has been largely replaced by the term bipolar disorder. This condition is characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). During the manic phases, individuals may experience increased energy, reduced need for sleep, and heightened impulsivity, while the depressive phases can involve feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities.

Bipolar disorder encapsulates these alternating states of mood and is recognized as a mental health condition requiring treatment. Understanding this allows for better awareness and management of the disorder, contributing to improved outcomes for those affected. The other options represent different mental health disorders that do not share the specific cyclical patterns of mood changes characteristic of bipolar disorder.