Is there a difference between bipolar disorder and manic depression?

Question

My husband says that they are different. I say they're the same.

Answer 1

they are the exact same condition, but under political correctness or some thing like that, the name was changed from manic depression to bi polar. i believe it was something to do with removing the stigma attached to the word "manic"

Answer 2

No. They refer to exactly the same condition.

Here is my answer to a similar question from earlier today, which was chosen as Best Answer:

Bipolar Disorder is a type of mood disorder which involves both depression and mania.

Most people with depression suffer from unipolar depression, or as it is most commonly called, simply "depression." In this case the person has normal mood for a period of time, alternating with other periods of low mood and then back to periods of normal mood.

In bipolar depression, the mood alternates between periods of normal mood, then a period of low mood then back to normal mood again, but there will also be times when the mood is high or manic.

Symptoms of mania include extreme irritability, reduced need for sleep, impulsive and irresponsible behaviours (such as gambling, spending money recklessly, taking drugs and alcohol in a binge fashion, sexual promiscuity), speaking at really fast rates, and delusions of grandeur.

Contrary to popular belief, most bipolar patients do not wildly swing from sad to high within minutes or hours. Usually there will be depressive episodes lasting weeks, then normal mood, then perhaps a few weeks of being manic.

Answer 3

They are the same.. Bi-polar disorder is really the term used now for people who have manic depression tendencies.

Really highs and lows feelings and moods and depression - that is a sign of bi-polar disorder/manic depression. It can even get as bad as suicidal attempts and violence due to uncontrolled moods and obscured reality (this is what Freud called a 'mania).

You can tell your husband that manic depression is now 'passe'. :)

Answer 4

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#intro

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.


Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:

* Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
* Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
* Extreme irritability
* Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
* Distractibility, can't concentrate well
* Little sleep needed
* Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
* Poor judgment
* Spending sprees
* A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
* Increased sexual drive
* Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
* Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
* Denial that anything is wrong

A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.


Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:

* Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
* Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
* Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
* Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
* Restlessness or irritability
* Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
* Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
* Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
* Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

A depressive episode is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms last most of the day, nearly every day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm#bp1

Answer 5

There are major differences between the two. Manic depression is a constant down feeling. Hopelessness; fatigue; anger; obviously depression etc....Bi-polarism is a mix of complete mania and manic depression. It's the highs and lows with no in between. You should look it up because any psychologist will tell you that the two are different. Bi-polarism is harder to diagnose because usually no one goes to the doctor when they are in the mania state, just the low state.

Answer 6

1 in the same

Answer 7

Same name, updated labels... probably made it a little easier to market in the 80's and 90's is my guess. Big Pharma is in the business of "disease mongering" which includes inventing entirely new diseases (like Social Anxiety Disorder) and renaming old diseases such as 'Bipolar' and 'Dissociative Disorder', etc. The more diseases, the more lucrative the biz is for Big Pharma team (including physicians and medical students, pharmacists and whoever else gets a cut of the action).

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Answer 8

Same thing, different name. Bipolar is used more often.

Answer 9

It's the same thing. LOL

Answer 10

same thing ; different name