2007-01-13 07:33:33 · 6 answers · asked by greennchic 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I'm a professional counselor and I can tell you that - IN SOME CASES, depression CAN look like bi-polar (manic-depression)...but ONLY when the bi-polar is a type that is mostly depressive. You cannot have a diagnosis of bi-polar without a manic stage at some point. Here are some symptoms of depression (in adults - if you want to know about kids, e-mail me): feeling sad and down most of the day more days than not over at least a 2 week period. Sleep interruptions or sleeping too much. Irritability. Anxiety increases. Not interested in things you used to love to do. Fatigue and low energy. Eating too much or not enough. Some people report headaches.
Now, to contrast that with bi-polar...the depressive episodes can look like what I described above...however, there MUST be some time when the person has manic phase and that can look like TONS of energy...not sleeping at all or very little. Sometimes there are "thoughts of grandeur" (I can fly or I'm going to be president tomorrow). Compulsive shopping and obsessive "cleaning" is common. Feeling of high anxiety and irritability. Flight of thoughts (thoughts going so fast you can't hold on to them...might stop mid-sentence and go on to another subject).
I have seen people with bi-polar stay up all night...buy until they max all their cards...walk naked down the road at midnight...and do other things that show poor judgment. Hope this helps. No matter what - if half of this sounds familiar - go see a doc!
2007-01-13 08:00:39 · answer #1 · answered by Jazmin 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are very many symptoms of depression..I am manic-depressive (also known as bipolar)..depression usually causes yiu to be tired all the time, crying, feelings of hopelessness, not wanting to do the things you like to do and that is just to name a few...the difference between that and bipolar is you have "ups" and "downs"..I am a rapid cycler, which means my extremes go from feeling really depressed to not needing sleep, spending money excessively, drinking and so on..I cycle about 3-10 times per day...I hope this answers your question. If you are depressed or think you may be, you DO need to contact a professional..You can email me if you'd like.
2007-01-13 07:45:01 · answer #2 · answered by heandI 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Manic depression is the same thing as bipolar disorder. It is a very serious illness. This could include very highs and lows, inability to sleep, and unable to make good decisions. If this escalates you could become delusional.
2007-01-13 08:31:42 · answer #3 · answered by Marjorie O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, depression is unhappiness. Manic-depression is madness.
God knows why I got thumbs down. My answer is the same as the ones below but more concise. I suppose the word madness isn't PC these days. You psychologists rather use synonyms like delusional, manic or obsessive.
2007-01-13 07:41:13 · answer #4 · answered by epbr123 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Manic depression is marked by intense highs, reckless behaviour and hyper activity, followed by bouts of depression and hopelessness.
Depression is just the feeling of hopelessness and being of no worth
2007-01-13 07:42:58 · answer #5 · answered by fivehundredmonkeys 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the symptoms are similar, but not the same. if you suffer That, go to the Dr. this is the worst thing i ever felt. you don't know what you live for, are sleepy, jumpy, irritated, its like hell. maniac, you have times you feel so well (euphoria) to go back to hell again.
this is a very fearing description, but depression is very bad
2007-01-13 08:04:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋