What is the main difference between dysthymia and bipolar type 2?

Question

I know there's supposed to be "hypomania", and a baseline for every individual. However, from what I've read the diagnosis criterion are generally vague.

Answer 1

To correct a previous response:
Bipolar type 2 is characterized by a combination of severe episodes of depression and highs known as hypomania, which is a form of mania, but is not as severe. These episodes stay for various amounts of time, depending on the patient, with more frequent cycles known as "rapid cycling."

Depression is the dominant mood in BP2, whereas type 1 patients experience extreme mania more than depression.

From what I understand, Dysthymia Disorder is known for long periods of mild or moderate depression. Obviously, then, the main difference between the two is that BP2 is comprised of two moods, whereas, dysthymia only has one and not as severe.

Here's some info on dysthymia from depressed test.com:

Dysthymia, or dysthymic disorder, is a clinical diagnosis of moderate, persistent depression. Sufferers do not routinely experience the extremes of major depression, but the duration can be much longer. Dysthymia does not often inhibit normal activities.

Symptoms of Dysthymia
* Long-term depression, sadness, anxiety
* Fatigue, difficulty falling asleep or waking and not being able to fall back asleep
* Problems with memory or concentration
* Low self-esteem, guilt, or negative thinking; self-critical
* Depression seems part of one's personality, gloomy, no joy
* Unable to remember last time one was happy, confident, or inspired
* Unexpected weight loss or gain, eating problems
* Symptoms present for over two years

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Dysthymia Bipolar

Answer 3

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Bipolar Disorder is your emotions, BPD is when your personality changes. Bipolar is when you can be so happy, then very low and depressed in a matter of hours, days, with some people, even minutes. These periods can have extreme emotions, both low and high. BPD is your personality, which could also be with your emotions, but an example is when you could be shy and then the next minute(or whatever amount of time) you can be very talkative and can have an extreme amount of self esteem. I have a bipolar disorder so I understand the bipolar part. Hopefully the BPD is what you believe is correct.

Answer 4

I have Dysthymia. The best way to describe the difference is this: dysthymia is mild depression with no manic phases and no suicidal thoughts or behaviors.. Also, Dysthymia is chronic and always mild. Someone with Bipolar 2 will have MAJOR depression with severe symptoms and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Answer 5

Actually dysthymia is not "always sad" but simply that you never (or rarely) get the "wahoo" elated highs. Not depression either, just sort of subdued emotional highs at best.

Answer 6

dysthymia..you are always sad but you never have a manic or really depressed to the point of suicide phase. BP 2 you are more manic than depressed. BP 1..more depression than mania..

Answer 7

This might be helpful
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/