Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
manic depression

manic depression

7 4.8
A mental illness with times of very high energy and times of very low mood
  • noun
  • /ˈmænɪk dɪˈprɛʃən/
  • Archaic
translation icon : depresión maníaca
  • Understanding manic depression is essential for supporting friends or family members who are struggling with their mental health.

At one time Giles was prescribed lithium on the basis of possible manic depression.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Many people with manic depression benefit from therapy and medication to stabilize their mood.

  • You see, when Mom married my dad, she didn't realize he suffered from manic depression and schizophrenia, but she found out pretty quickly.

    The Minimalists: Less Is Now (2021)

  • My mom has manic depression, so it's almost impossible to live with her.

    American Teen (2008)

  • BP and manic depression are in my family, too - Grandmother, mother.

    Blog text (23)

  • Her mother had a history of manic depression and attempted suicide as an adolescent.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Lithium has been used for manic depression and for obsessive disorders.

    Academic text (1995)

  • It was pretty clear to me that he had manic depression or some sort of bipolar depression.

    Blog text (20)

  • He suffers from manic depression, and he needs the naturally occurring salt of lithium to function normally.

    Academic text (2002)

  • For example, patients with manic-depression need medication for their illness, but they also need psychotherapy to understand their affliction and to find ways to live effectively despite its intermittent disruptive symptoms.

    Academic text (1995)

  • Bipolar disorder, previously referred to as manic depression, often leads to extreme mood swings that can impact daily life.

Synonyms

mental illness
vsmanic depression
129 3.1

A health problem that affects how a person thinks, feels, or behaves and may need medical help

is specific to alternating mood episodes not general conditions
bipolar disorder
vsmanic depression
  • Specialized
24 3.9

A condition that causes very high and very low mood periods

is the historical label still used alongside the modern term
mental disorder
vsmanic depression
  • Specialized
20 3.3

A condition that causes problems with thinking, feeling, or behaving

is a particular alternating-mood illness not a general disturbance
manic depressive illness
vsmanic depression
  • Archaic
1 4.5

A mental illness with times of very high energy followed by times of very low mood

is the modern preferred term rather than the older label
manic-depressive psychosis
vsmanic depression
  • Archaic
7.6

A mental illness with times of very high energy and times of very low mood

is the current diagnostic label not the older psychosis phrasing

Antonyms

stability
363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

equilibrium
35 6.8

A state of balance between opposite forces

Surface Forms

manic depression singular
manic depressions plural

Morphology

manic + depression

The compound directly names the two constituent clinical states: 'manic' (mania/excessive energy) plus 'depression' (depressive disorder), so a learner who knows both words can reasonably infer a disorder involving both mania and depression. The construction is transparently compositional and has close equivalents in many languages (e.g., bipolar/mania-depression terms), making the overall meaning accessible to learners who know the parts.

Etymology

Manic depression comes from the two opposite moods in the illness: manic means very high energy and excitement, and depression means very low, sad feelings. That's why the name described large mood swings and is now often called 'bipolar disorder'.