manic depression

noun

: bipolar disorder

Examples of manic depression in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Later in his life, he was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and manic depression. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2025 That lithium, the salt form of which is used to treat manic depression, was one of only three elements present at the birth of the universe, along with hydrogen and helium. — New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Lithium is a mood stabilizer used to treat mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and manic depression. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Nov. 2025 She had been diagnosed with manic depression, but lithium stabilized her, the newspaper reported. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for manic depression

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of manic depression was in 1904

Rhymes for manic depression

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Browse Nearby Words

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manic depression
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Cite this Entry

“Manic depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/manic%20depression. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

manic depression

noun
variants or manic-depression
: bipolar disorder
Able to stabilize the mood swings of many people with manic depression, lithium revolutionized psychiatric therapy when the drug came on the scene several decades ago.—J. Travis, Science News
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