Is there an accurate way to tell the difference between depression and bipolar?

Question

I have been diagnosed with depression, but sometimes think i could be more bi-polar and my closest friends agree with me. My psychiatrist doesn't think this is the case though. But I don't know whether my psychiatrist knows me well enough to make such a decision?

Answer 1

There are 3 different Categories of Bi-Polar Disorder. They are BP/Depressed, 2)BP/Mixed, and BP/Paranoid types. There are a # of Types of Depression: Major-single episode, Depression with Psychotic Features....... If your depression comes in Cycles, it is possible that you are Bi-Polar/ Depressed Type. Speak with your Dr. and Tell them what is going on with you. If you are Honest with the Dr., they can determine what your Diagnosis is. Or, Get a Second Opinion. Thanks, John R.

Answer 2

I spent two years with just a depression diagnosis because my parents just thought I was a "nightowl". Apparently they didn't believe me when I said I had stayed awake for a week straight even when I was up before them and after them and they ran into me in the middle of the night when they got up to go to the bathroom. You're old enough to fight for yourself...so do. Tell your doctor why you think bipolar might be more appropriate...or just mention the other symptoms you're noticing. All of the things that bother you need to be factored into a diagnosis. Another thing to think about is maybe you don't have enough of the criteria to be medically considered bipolar. I'm a very anxious person by nature and have panic attacks every now and again as well as many phobias but I'm not diagnosed with any anxiety disorders though my doctor does give me a prescription for Ativan for the panic. If your quality of life is being threatened by a symptom, even if you don't have a full blown condition, then you need to get some help with it.

Answer 3

I am bipolar and also have depression, They are 2 differant things but also have simularitys
1. Bipolar
You can be a very happy peron at one point and then someone does the littlest thing and you snap on them way more than you should and after that you are crying about what you did and begging for forgivness, and about 5 mis later are ok again and back to normal (mind you all happening within like 20 mins.)
2. Deppression
You are esally upset, way more dramatic than normal keep things inside and dont talk about them untill they build up and you snap.

I was also put a pill called Zyprexa it is a mood stabilizing chemical because my moods can jump so easily,
You can take a test which will determin if you are bipolar, Chances are if it runs in your family and you have a very stressful and/or upsetting life/life style you could be. But if you feel you psychiatrist isn't good enough to your standard ask for a new one they will not be affended they also want what is best for you. Keep your head up and atleast 1x a day take some time to yourself even if for 30 mins (take a bath, car ride, walk) somthing that you can do to just let your mind run blank and be able to breath. I found that helped me (Because i didn't want pills comtroling mylife so i did thing that were natural for me) was we lived in the country and i would walk down the old train tracks in the woods all the way down to the old train bridge and just sit there for about 20 mins to about 4 hours (depending hour stressed or upset i was) And I would sit there and just listen to the sounds or look at the water, and by the time i was better i would walk back home (and in the walk back i was still able to unwined) so when i got home I was ok again and back to my old self. I really hope this helps, It took me 3 years to get myself under controle with everything. Good luck and I hope evrything is well.

Answer 4

Think about alternating highs and lows. With depression you are either base line, normal, or you are below base line, depressed. WIth bipolar you can also be way above base line as well as below or at it. People are most common with the symptoms of depression: feeling low, uninterested in life, bouts of crying for no reason, etc. There can be these symptoms for bipolar, but there are others as well. If you ever experience long periods when you don't feel you need to sleep, feel like nothing in the world can stop you or nothing else in world matters but that one instant you are in, then this may be bipolar.

My ex-husband is bipolar. He would do things like quite his job, blow all the money in my bank account, run up credit cards, etc. This may seem simple like impulsive behavior, but when it is persistant and alternates with the depressive side then it can mean bipolar. With my ex it was difficult to even talk to him when he was manic. He wouldn't stand still long enought to answer a question and if he did he often spoke so fast you couldn't understand what he was saying. It became so I could tell where he was from the base line even by the way he drove. The more reckless the driving, the more manic he was.

Answer 5

my friend, the difference between depression and bipolar disorder is often not well diagnosed. It is one of the most common mistakes M.D do and if they diagnose wrongly u will spend many years taking the wrong pills. Only after the medicines don't have the effects on u and other changes of pills , thyroid hormones, etc, there are various ways to discover if u have only depression. Maybe u may have any special form of depression: dysthymia, etc- If all methods for special forms of dhysthymia don't achieve the goal, then they finally diagnose bipolar disorder. I suggest you to go to ur psychiatrist and tell him what u think he needs to know, then he gives the diagnosis, next go to another psychiatrist and that he gives his diagnosis, too, so that u really know what u have

Answer 6

Lots of good answers here already. Get a second opinion from another psychiatrist, some doctor's don't know how to diagnose bipolar disorder. If your depression comes and goes or you alternate with periods of intense activity, racing thoughts or hyper-creativity, you may suffer from bipolar disorder.

Curtis

Answer 7

Have you told your doctor the symptoms you have that make you think that you might have bipolar disorder? If you have done that then he/she knows enough to diagnose that.

Ask him/her what symptoms that you don't have that cause your doctor to disagree with you. He/she can show you the criteria in the DSM that makes the differential diagnoses between the 2 diagnoses.

You can get a 2nd opinion if you want to but why not try this first. The 2nd psychiatrist has to diagnose according to the criteria in the DSM also.

I hope this helps.

Answer 8

Actually, if you are Bipolar, then you would not respond to just anti-depressant medication alone. Bipolar people need mood stabilizers.

Contrary to what everyone thinks, most Bipolar people do not change moods at the drop of a hat. The episodes of depression and mania typically last weeks, even months.

Answer 9

Bipolar is when you have symptoms of mania, these symptoms show up in overspending, sexaully risky behavior or acting out sexually, lack of sleep for days or little to no sleep, not being able to concentrate or focus due to racing thoughts or rambling thoughts, gambling, not being able to stick to a budget and even things such as compulsive cleaning. These are just a few symptoms of Bipolar. Depression symtoms are, crying, suicidal thoughts, lack of energy, and lack of motivation. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. I hope this helps

Answer 10

With bi-polar, you will have period of mania as well as periods of depression. People in manic episodes will often go days without sleeping and can be in such a hyperactive state that they become at risk for physical collapse.