or manic-depressive psychosis
Mental illness characterized by the alternation of manic and depressive states.
Depression is the more common symptom, and many patients experience only a brief period of overoptimism and mild euphoria during the manic phase. The condition, which seems to be inheritable, probably arises from malregulation of the amines norepinephrine , dopamine , and 5-hydroxytryptamine. It is most commonly treated with lithium carbonate.