manic depression

noun

1. a mental health problem characterized by an alternation between extreme euphoria and deep depression

Usage

Though manic depression, manic-depressive are still often used by the general public, they are seen as having negative connotations. The preferred terms nowadays are bipolar disorder and experiencing bipolar disorder

Example Sentences

Bipolar disorder entered the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980, replacing the depression subtype of manic depression.

From Slate

But when he was young, his father died; his mother was institutionalized with a diagnosis of manic depression, and he and his younger brother were effectively left to fend for themselves.

From New York Times

It used to be known as manic depression, and symptoms include episodes of:

From BBC

“Judy, the exploitation of a woman; Vivien, somebody who suffered from manic depression; Sonya, an intelligent woman subjugated to a man who used her, drained her, made a villain of her.”

From New York Times

That condition was called manic depression in those days.

From Seattle Times