Can any one tell me the diffence between depression and manic depression.?

Answer 1

Major depressive disorder—what people commonly call “depression”—and bipolar disorder do have some symptoms in common. However, they are two different conditions that require different treatments.

In general, major depressive disorder involves overwhelming feelings of sadness, worthlessness and hopelessness. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression but also episodes of mania—symptoms of which can include excessive energy, extreme irritability or “out of control” behavior. (People with depression do not experience manic episodes.)

Depressive Symptoms

Sadness
Excessive crying
Loss of pleasure
Sleeping too much or too little
Low energy
Restlessness
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Loss of appetite or overeating
Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness
Ongoing physical problems that are not caused by physical illness or injury
(e.g., headaches, digestive problems, pain)
Thoughts of death or suicide

Manic Symptoms

Inappropriate sense of euphoria (excitement)
Reckless behavior
Little sleep needed
Excessive energy
Racing thoughts; talking too much
Out of control spending
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Abnormally increased activity, including sexual activity
Poor judgment
Aggressive behavior

Bipolar disorder causes both depressive episodes and manic episodes at different times during the illness. A common misperception is that bipolar mood changes are usually quick and drastic. In reality, the shift from one extreme to the other is often quite gradual. And an episode—either depressive or manic—can last for days, weeks, months or even years.

Moreover, people with bipolar disorder are not always depressed or manic; they can go for long stretches of time in a "normal," balanced mood. The typical person with bipolar disorder has an average of four episodes during the first 10 years of the illness.

Sadly, some people are diagnosed and treated for major depressive disorder when they really have bipolar disorder. It is easy to understand how misdiagnosis can occur. Some individuals (especially if they are unaware of bipolar disorder) may not recognize their manic symptoms—and therefore don’t report them to their doctor. They may seek a doctor’s help only when they are immersed in a depressive episode.

People may experience depression as their very first episode, and they will not have a manic episode until some time in the future.

An incorrect diagnosis can lead to inappropriate treatment. In fact, antidepressant medications can bring about a manic episode in someone who really has bipolar disorder.

Awareness about bipolar disorder is the first step to recognizing possible signs. There are excellent treatments for both depression and bipolar disorder. The key is to get a correct diagnosis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

Most of the cases of depression are really bipolar. People consult doctors when they are in the depressive episode. Usual treatments for clinical depression may worsen the bipolar.

Answer 2

Manic depression is also known as Bipolar disorder. Bibolar disorder is when, for certain times of the month you are so happy and exited that people have a hard time controling you and then the other part is when you take that dramatic change from happy to wanting to kill yourself.
Depression is like all the time. For the people with more severe depression, it starts early in the day and for people with mild depression it starts at the middle or end of the day. you just feel worthless or like you could never be happy again.

Answer 3

They both have very similar symptoms, This is what www.nami.org says about both. This is a great place to start if you or someone you know has this.

What are the symptoms of major depression?
The onset of the first episode of major depression may not be obvious if it is gradual or mild. The symptoms of major depression characteristically represent a significant change from how a person functioned before the illness. The symptoms of depression include:

persistently sad or irritable mood
pronounced changes in sleep, appetite, and energy
difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering
physical slowing or agitation
lack of interest in or pleasure from activities that were once enjoyed
feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and emptiness
recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
When several of these symptoms of depressive illness occur at the same time, last longer than two weeks, and interfere with ordinary functioning, professional treatment is needed.

What are the symptoms of mania?

Mania is the word that describes the activated phase of bipolar disorder. The symptoms of mania may include:

either an elated, happy mood or an irritable, angry, unpleasant mood
increased activity or energy
more thoughts and faster thinking than normal
increased talking, more rapid speech than normal
ambitious, often grandiose, plans
poor judgement
increased sexual interest and activity
decreased sleep and decreased need for sleep

Answer 4

Manic depression is now called bipolar disorder. Someone with bipolar swings between desperate lows and euphoric highs. When low, you will probably just want to die. It is not just a general state of miserary. When high, you are the centre of the universe and you do the most ridiculously eccentric things.

Depression involves the desperate lows but NOT the euphoric highs

Some people are obviously more extreme on others... it depends on the person.

If you get the change, tune into BBC2 on Tuesday nights as Steven Fry is doing a series on the subject. He suffers from bipolar disorder and is trying to help educate the public. He has been talking to ordinary members of the public, as well as celebrities such as Robbie Williams and Carrie Fischer (Star Wars) who also suffer from the disorder.

Answer 5

Depression is down--in the dumps. Manic-Dpression usually called bi-polar these days. People with this conditon have both extremes--highs and lows. During the highs they are manic--they may be overly energetic, not sleep,enthusiastic, take risks and generally not use good judgment.

Some people rotate back and forth rapidly. Other go for a long period one way--then normal--then the other way. Some are even mixed--can be both depressed and mainic at the same time.

Answer 6

some very good answers already but put simply there are only two types of illness called depression. first is caused by life so covers bereavement or just treally bad periods when you feel unable to cope, good news is that however bad you feel you can get over it, usually with some form of talking therapy. Second is an organic illness of the brain that causes mood swingsthat are like those everyone gets but highly exaggerated to a degree that can put people at real risk. Needs medical help but again good news is that for at least 90% of sufferers they will have to take some form of mood stabiliser but this is likely to be no more intrusive than Diabetics having to keep an eye on their diet etc. If you or anyone you know is worried see your GP as these states are very well understood now and can be controlled.

Answer 7

Depression is feeling down in the dumps. Whilst manic is someone on a high. A manic depressive therefore is someone going from one extreme to the other.

Answer 8

Depression is just the 'down'. Anyone can get it but some are prone than others. Manic depression is 'up' and 'down' where in the 'up' phase people are very energetic and happy to the point of being 'high'. It's much rarer than depression, which can be a reaction to life's circumstances and situations (reactive depression) whereas manic depression is more likely to be a problem with the brain not managing changes in its chemist very well.

Answer 9

Hi, Depression is a persistent low mood, normally lasting for around a fortnight before a diagnosis is made. Manic depression or bipolar disorder is high and low mood swings, like an elevated mood and then depression, it can cycle both ways.

Hope this helps.
Simone

Answer 10

Bipolar disorder means you have high times or manic episodes that may result in dangerous, criminal, promiscuous or other behaviours that are no necessarily good for you. You may be highly creative and produce masses of work or shop till you drop running up huge bills.
In he down phase or depressive state the pendulum swings the other way and may contemplate suicide or self harm. You may just sleep for hours and hours.
Depression is similar to he down phase but without he up phase.