London, Mar 2: Depression and mania drive people to set higher goals, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of California, has found that people who suffer from depression are more likely to focus on success, money and fame than others.

"Manic episodes are characterised by elevated mood as well as increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep and extreme distractibility,” the Telegraph quoted Dr Johnson, from the University of California, as saying.

"Mania has already been linked to a belief in the importance of achievement and so we wanted to discover whether it is also linked with higher expectations for the future," Dr Johnson added.

For the study, the researchers looked at the manic and depressive levels of 103 people including 27 people with diagnosed manic depression - also known as bipolar disorder.

The participants answered questionnaires designed to assess their ambitions, such as a desire for fame, material success or recognition.

The researchers found that the people who had experienced episodes of mania during their lives had the highest expectations of achieving popular success and financial success.

"This pattern suggests that people with manic or bipolar tendencies are drawn to focus on success, money and popular fame,” Dr Johnson said.

"These results suggest that mania, along with all of its costs, may also drive people to set higher goals. In some cases they achieve them, giving us a glimpse into the advantages that can accompany this highly painful disorder," Dr Johnson added.

The study has published in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology. (ANI)