SouthEastSleuth
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I have heard a RUMOR that Raven has been treated for mania, (from what I can tell from reading, mania is also known as manic depressive order, and also as bi-polar disorder
. With all sorts of variations inherent in a particular diagnosis. Someone with better medical knowledge can jump in and clarify some of that
.).
From what Ive HEARD, at least in the past Raven was on medication to help control the manic times. (No idea what exact medication). From what I gather from reading a little on all of this, the medications can be very helpful at times, if taken regularly Without medication being taken, the swings can be dramatic one minute the person is "up," and excitable to the point of seeming out of control the next minute, the person could be "down," to the point of being clinically depressed. With meds, often there is at least some level of stability
"The best way to avoid these mood swings is to get treatment for your bipolar. But unfortunately, periods of hypomania, mania, or depression arent completely preventable. Even people who always take their medication and are careful with their health can still have mood swings from time to time." (WebMD)
I have no idea IF Raven was still on medication, or not. Also, I dont know anything about his history in this regard, i.e., when this started, how long he was on meds, if he was still being treated, etc.
If you read some of the literature, its fairly striking. Below is an excerpt about mania from WebMD http://my.webmd.com/content/article/102/106777.htm
"The dramatic mood swings of bipolar disorder do not follow a set pattern. Depression does not always follow mania. A person may experience the same mood state several times -- for weeks, months, even years at a time -- before suddenly having the opposite mood. Also, the severity of mood phases can differ from person to person."
"Mania: The fast ideas start coming too fast and there are far too many ... overwhelming confusion replaces clarity ... you stop keeping up with it memory goes. Infectious humor ceases to amuse. Your friends become frightened ... everything is now against the grain ... you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and trapped."
"If you have three or more of the mania symptoms below most of the day -- nearly every day -- for one week or longer, you may be having a manic episode:
I read through some of these symptoms, and I feel like Im reading a summary of so many of the things weve learned about Raven grand plans, poor judgment, lavish spending, inflated self esteem.
And the consequences of manic episodes can be alarming
"The Appeal of Mania
When people with bipolar disorder are depressed, they almost always know that something is wrong. Nobody likes feeling that way.
But its different for people who are hypomanic or manic. Often, they dont think anything is wrong. Or if they notice a difference in their mood and personality, they think its an improvement.
Mania and hypomania can be seductive. You might feel more energized, creative, and interesting. You might be able to get extraordinary amounts of work done. So whats the problem?
The fact is that manic phases often turn destructive. Some consequences of a manic episode cant be undone. You can wipe out your savings account. You can have affairs that ruin your marriage. You can lose your job. Most dangerous of all, mania can make you do things that risk your life or the lives of others.
Although hypomania or mania can feel good at the moment, in the long run, youll be happier, healthier, more productive, and more successful if you can keep a stable mood."
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/102/106804.htm
Keeping in mind that any mental illness effects not only the person, but often family, friends, etc. Mania is serious business, obviously. And I certainly hope that IF Raven suffered from this, that in fact he was on medications, and continued to be, as long as necessary. These manic episodes must be terrifying - to the person, and those around him/her. And without some sort of treatment, whether therapy, medications, or a combination, it seems there can often be serious consequences.
Again, I report all of this information primarily as RUMOR, with regards to Raven. If anyone reading has any additional info to substantiate, that would be great!
From what Ive HEARD, at least in the past Raven was on medication to help control the manic times. (No idea what exact medication). From what I gather from reading a little on all of this, the medications can be very helpful at times, if taken regularly Without medication being taken, the swings can be dramatic one minute the person is "up," and excitable to the point of seeming out of control the next minute, the person could be "down," to the point of being clinically depressed. With meds, often there is at least some level of stability
"The best way to avoid these mood swings is to get treatment for your bipolar. But unfortunately, periods of hypomania, mania, or depression arent completely preventable. Even people who always take their medication and are careful with their health can still have mood swings from time to time." (WebMD)
I have no idea IF Raven was still on medication, or not. Also, I dont know anything about his history in this regard, i.e., when this started, how long he was on meds, if he was still being treated, etc.
If you read some of the literature, its fairly striking. Below is an excerpt about mania from WebMD http://my.webmd.com/content/article/102/106777.htm
"The dramatic mood swings of bipolar disorder do not follow a set pattern. Depression does not always follow mania. A person may experience the same mood state several times -- for weeks, months, even years at a time -- before suddenly having the opposite mood. Also, the severity of mood phases can differ from person to person."
"Mania: The fast ideas start coming too fast and there are far too many ... overwhelming confusion replaces clarity ... you stop keeping up with it memory goes. Infectious humor ceases to amuse. Your friends become frightened ... everything is now against the grain ... you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and trapped."
"If you have three or more of the mania symptoms below most of the day -- nearly every day -- for one week or longer, you may be having a manic episode:
- Excessive happiness, hopefulness, and excitement
- Sudden changes from being joyful to being irritable, angry, and hostile
- Restlessness, increased energy and less need for sleep
- Rapid talk, talkativeness
- Distractibility
- Racing thoughts
- High sex drive
- Tendency to make grand and unattainable plans
- Tendency to show poor judgment, such as deciding to quit a job
- Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity -- unrealistic beliefs in ones ability, intelligence, and powers; may be delusional
- Increased reckless behaviors (such as lavish spending sprees, impulsive sexual indiscretions, abuse of alcohol or drugs or ill-advised business decisions)
I read through some of these symptoms, and I feel like Im reading a summary of so many of the things weve learned about Raven grand plans, poor judgment, lavish spending, inflated self esteem.
And the consequences of manic episodes can be alarming
"The Appeal of Mania
When people with bipolar disorder are depressed, they almost always know that something is wrong. Nobody likes feeling that way.
But its different for people who are hypomanic or manic. Often, they dont think anything is wrong. Or if they notice a difference in their mood and personality, they think its an improvement.
Mania and hypomania can be seductive. You might feel more energized, creative, and interesting. You might be able to get extraordinary amounts of work done. So whats the problem?
The fact is that manic phases often turn destructive. Some consequences of a manic episode cant be undone. You can wipe out your savings account. You can have affairs that ruin your marriage. You can lose your job. Most dangerous of all, mania can make you do things that risk your life or the lives of others.
Although hypomania or mania can feel good at the moment, in the long run, youll be happier, healthier, more productive, and more successful if you can keep a stable mood."
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/102/106804.htm
Keeping in mind that any mental illness effects not only the person, but often family, friends, etc. Mania is serious business, obviously. And I certainly hope that IF Raven suffered from this, that in fact he was on medications, and continued to be, as long as necessary. These manic episodes must be terrifying - to the person, and those around him/her. And without some sort of treatment, whether therapy, medications, or a combination, it seems there can often be serious consequences.
Again, I report all of this information primarily as RUMOR, with regards to Raven. If anyone reading has any additional info to substantiate, that would be great!
You worded it perfectly. That's what I thought I remembered reading somewhere.