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About 1 per cent of the population is diagnosed with manic depression, writes Natalie Valios. They experience extreme mood swings of highs and lows, although the frequency and severity of mood cycles varies from person to person. Some people will only have a couple of episodes of mania during their life, others will have four or more episodes of mania a year. It can develop in men and women of any age, but commonly occurs when people are in their twenties and thirties.

As yet there is no consensus on the cause and it takes an average of 10 years for an accurate diagnosis. Two bodies of thought point to an inherited disposition to developing manic depression or to stressful life events.

Lithium is the most commonly prescribed drug to help stabilise moods. Mental health organisations also recommend cognitive therapy, counselling and self-management to help control symptoms - there is no cure.

The most common form of manic depression is bipolar affective disorder, which involves both highs and lows. A diagnosis of unipolar affective disorder is given to those who experience just the depressive phase. The high, or mania, is characterised by feelings of euphoria, inability to sleep, talking quickly, irritability and spending large sums of money. They can also have delusions. During the depressive period, which usually follows a manic episode, people have feelings of emptiness, loss of energy and motivation. They can also have suicidal thoughts.

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. Most people with this diagnosis do not have a subsequent depressive episode, and they will not experience delusions.

- For more information, call Manic Depression Fellowship on 020 7793 2600 or go to www.mdf.org.uk, or call Mind on 020 8519 2122, website at www.mind.org.uk