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mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, a patient can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, any or all symptoms listed under mania may be experienced. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. Bipolar disorder is often a chronic recurring condition. A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long- term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep you from functioning at "full steam" or from feeling good. Sometimes people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes. Symptoms Of Major Depression And Bipolar Disorder Not everyone who is depressed or manic experiences every symptom. Some people experience a few symptoms, some many. Also, severity of symptoms varies with individuals. Here are some of the possible symptoms of major depression and bipolar disorder. Major Depression: Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex Insomnia, early morning awakening, or oversleeping Appetite and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain Decreased energy, fatigue, being "slowed down" Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts Restlessness, irritability Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain Bipolar Disorder: Inappropriate elation Inappropriate irritability Severe insomnia Grandiose notions Increased talking Disconnected and racing thoughts Increased sexual desire Markedly increased energy Poor judgment Inappropriate social behavior Causes Of Depression The causes of depression have not yet been established and explanations for the occurrence of the disorder vary to the theoretical method that is applied to it. Biological, family, and social factors have all been found to play a role in the disorder. Depression may be most clearly seen as occurring due to both biological and environmental factors. The biological theory of depression postulates that the disorder is caused by a deficiency in one or more neurotransmitters, most likely serotonin and norepinenphrine, and possibly dopamine. Support for this theory comes from the fact that drugs that potentate the effects of these neurotransmitters tends to result in a decrease in depressive symptoms in most patients. Psychological theories of depression vary greatly in their explanation of the disorder and include causes such as unconscious conflict, distorted thinking, and lack of positive reinforcement. There is evidence suggesting that depression may have a genetic basis. In studies of adoptive children whose biological parents had depression, these children tended to show a higher incidence of the disorder than the general population. Treatment Treatment choice will depend on the outcome of the evaluation. There are a variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies that can be used to treat depressive disorders. Some people do well with psychotherapy, some with antidepressants. Some do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life's problems. Depending on the diagnosis and severity of symptoms, the patient may be prescribed medication and/or t

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