Is Dysthymia the same as bipolar???

Answer 1

Not even close-see below:

Bipolar Disorder comes in 2 forms, Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I is the type most people think of where someone experiences shifts between depression, mania and/or mixed episodes. Bipola II is most like recurrent major depressive episodes interspersed with hypomanic episodes (which do not reach the level of a mania). The following is a general description of some of the criteria for depression and mania, but you should not attempt diagnosis yourself. You can check the exact criteria in a DSM IV and a thorough history needs to be taken for accurate diagnosis and assessment.
Criteria for Depression are five of the following during a 2 week period:
1) depressed mood more days than not, can be just irritable in adolescents and children and frequently men show more irritability
2) decreased or increased appetite accompanied by weight gain or loss
3) hypersomnia or insomnia
4) recurrent thoughts of death or dying, suicidal ideation
5) observable psychomotor retardation or agitation
5) anhedonia (loss of interest in previous pleasurable activities)
6) subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down
7) Difficulty concentrating and/or making decisions
Criteria for a Mania:
1) Decreased need for sleep without feeling tired despite only several hours per night or no sleep
2) Pressured speech that is difficult to interrupt(talking very rapidly and loudly with pressure to keep talking)
3) Flight of Ideas or "racing thoughts"
4) Increased energy
5) Engaging in a flurry of goal-directed activity-either impulsive behavior that has a high potential for damaging consequences-spending money, reckless driving, sexual promiscuity, etc. or excessively overproductive with respect to work
6) a consistently elevated or "high" mood or a consistently irritable mood
7) grandiose delusions-seeing oneself as more important or powerful than they truly are but in delusional proportions, not simply inflated self-esteem

Bipolar II is similar but the manic symtoms are less severe and rarely warrant hospitalization as they do not reach psychotic levels.

Additionally there is a condition called cyclothymia where a person cycles between hypomania and dysthymia (milder depression).

The condition most often has a genetic component and often there are first degree relatives with the disorder. there is also a higher prevalence of other mood disorders and eating disorders and alcoholism among relatives.

If you suspect someone is Bipolar take them to a psychiatrist for evaluation. Primary MD's are not qualified to diagnose or treat the condition and it is often misdiagnosed, especially in children as the symptoms look different and the cycling tends to be more rapid.

It absolutely requires medication for treatment to be effective.

Answer 2

No they are different.

Dysthymia is like a milder but more chronic form of depression. A person with dysthymia experiences symptoms of depression over a longer period of time than is required to diagnose Major Depressive Disorder. In order to diagnose Dysthymia, only 2 symptoms are needed, whereas for Major Depressive Disorder, 5 symptoms must be present. Symptoms must occur for 2 years for Dysthymia, but only 2 weeks for Major Depressive Disorder.

There are 2 types of Bipolar: Bipolar I and Bipolar II. In order to diagnose Bipolar II, a Major Depressive Episode must have occured. Depressive Episodes are frequently seen with Bipolar I, but this is not required for diagnosis. Bipolar I disorder requires a full Manic Episode, while Bipolar II requires a Hypomanic Episode (which is milder than a full Manic Episode).

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Dysthymia, sometimes referred to as chronic depression, is a less severe form of depression but the depression symptoms linger for a long period of time, perhaps years. Those who suffer from dysthymia are usually able to function adequately, but seem consistently unhappy.

It is common for a person with dysthymia to also experience major depression at the same time - swinging into a major depressive episode and then back to a more mild state of dysthymia. This is called double depression.


Symptoms of Dysthymia Are the Same as the symptoms of Bipolar but they are not the same thing.

Answer 4

that's a big no.