Manic depression is a biochemical imbalance of neurotransmitters, enzymes, and hormones. Thousands of people suffer from this mental disorder daily. Scientists say this disorder is incurable, and those who possess it will need to take medication for the rest of one's life. Episodes of mania and/or depression are most commonly identified by unexplained crying, changes in sleep and appetite, pessimism, loss of energy, feelings of guilt, inability to find joy in former interests and recurring thoughts of death or suicide. These thoughts and feelings are constant prisons for sufferers. Being sad is a normal emotion that every human being will experience in his or her life, but possessing some or all of the symptoms listed above can most likely be diagnosed as manic depression.
             It is commonly thought that people who are sad bring it upon themselves. This is not true for people who possess manic depression. From the research I have done, direct causes of manic depression are unclear. Body chemistry, hormonal changes, traumatic events, and the presence of other illnesses can bring on a depressive disorder. People often find themselves lost at sea with thoughts and emotions. The inability to focus on important things and events ail patients. Imagine being locked in a black room with no doors or windows. Hopelessness is a recurrent feeling of many sufferers. People of all ages, races, genders and social classes can suffer from depression. The disorder can occur at any age, but frequently develops between the ages of 25 and 44. Facts show that approximately 20 million Americans experience depression everyday. Statistics prove as many as one in thirty-three children and one in eight adolescents possess depression. I once thought that poor parenting brought on depression, but upon researching this paper I discovered that was not true. Elderly people face danger in leaving depression untreated and undiagnosed. They experience worse outc...