Extreme reactions of elation and deep depression.
A severe mental illness causing repeated episodes of depression, mania, or both. These episodes can be precipitated by upsetting events but are out of proportion to these causes. Sometimes chronic depression or chronic mania can result. There is a genetically inherited predisposition to the illness. Treatment is with phenothiazine drugs for mania and with antidepressant drugs or electroconvulsive therapy for depression. Lithium can prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, and the sufferer is usually well in the intervals between them.