What's the difference between Bi-Polar & Depression?

Question

Why are they different diagnoses with almost the EXACT same symptoms?

Answer 1

Hi Question Queen:

Your key word is ALMOST. Bipolar and Depression are similiar because Depression is also a part of Bipolar.

The difference between them is that Depression you only have depression and nothing else (so to speak). With Bipolar the key element that is missing from manic depression is the Mania portion.

Mania is when you are so way more than happy. You have feelings of granduer, invincibility, risky behavior
spending sprees (severe), promiscious sex and more. You are on top of the world and nothing can/will go wrong (so you think).

The cyclw of Bipolar is being in the emotional "normal range" and suddenly finding yourself in Mania for days, weeks, or months. Then suddenly for no reason you plummet into Manic Depression and this also can last for days, weeks, or months, then you end up back in the emotional normal range and must pick up the pieces that this cycle of Bipolar has caused.

I hope this helps.

Be safe and be well

Answer 2

It’s a simple question to answer, because depression can either be a stand-alone diagnosis, or a part of another disorder, like bipolar. Therefore a mental health professional is going to examine whether there are other symptoms present (or have occurred in the past), to see if the depression is just depression, or whether it’s a part of a larger disorder.
Bipolar Includes Mania & Depression Has no Mania

Answer 3

Manic depressive and depression do not have the EXACT same symptoms...my grandmother is bi-polar and it is nothing like depression. Bi-polar is where you experience extremes...very elated and very depressed.

Here's a good site that goes into detail on the differences...
http://www.concernedcounseling.com/Communities/Depression/bipolar/difference.asp

Answer 4

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Answer 5

They aren't the same thing... the symptoms are different.

Bipolar involves "highs" as well as "lows" (as well as periods of "normal," usually). Depression is just "lows" (and normals, usually).

However, there is a theory that unipolar depression and bipolar depression actually are extensions of the same thing. This is called the bipolar spectrum theory.

The DSM-IV, however, does have quite different criteria for diagnosing depression vs. manic-depression (bipolar)... so technically, nope, they're not the same thing.

Answer 6

Both depression and BiPolar I & II (there are two types) fall under the category of Mood Disorders.

So there are some overlapping symptoms, but there are clinically significant differences.

You can read more here:

http://www.bipolar.com/

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/healthinformation/depressionmenu.cfm

If you have a very specific question in mind, you may e-mail me.
I have a great deal of experience with this topic.

Sincerely,
Loretta

http://lifebeyondlupus.com/

Answer 7

Bi polar is when your moods shift between very happy to very depressed while depression is a constant depressed state

Answer 8

What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic-depressive illness, is a condition that affects more than two million Americans. People who have this illness tend to experience extreme mood swings, along with other specific symptoms and behaviors. These mood swings or "episodes" can take three forms: manic episodes, depressive episodes, or "mixed" episodes.
The symptoms of a manic episode often include elevated mood (feeling extremely happy), being extremely irritable and anxious, talking too fast and too much, and having an unusual increase in energy and a reduced need for sleep. It's also very common for someone to act impulsively during a manic episode, and engage in behaviors that are risky or that they later regret, like spending sprees. And in over half of all manic episodes, people are troubled by delusions or hallucinations. For example, they may think they have a relationship with someone famous, claim to be an expert in an area they really know nothing about, feel paranoid (unusually fearful), or hear voices that are not there.

The symptoms of a depressive episode often include an overwhelming feeling of emptiness or sadness, a lack of energy, a loss of interest in things, trouble concentrating, changes in normal sleep or appetite, and/or thoughts of dying or suicide.

A mixed episode includes symptoms that are both manic and depressive.

What causes it?

The symptoms of bipolar disorder are thought to be caused by an imbalance of key chemicals in the brain. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that move a constant stream of information from one to the other. To keep the information flowing, the cells release chemicals known as "neurotransmitters." Two key neurotransmitters that are needed for brain function are dopamine and serotonin, which play a crucial role in emotional health.

Many scientists believe that when the levels of these neurotransmitters aren't quite right, it may result in bipolar disorder. For instance, too much dopamine in certain parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as delusions, while too little dopamine in other parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as a lack of emotion and energy.





How can medicine help me?

Although there is no cure for bipolar disorder, medicine can play a key role in helping you manage your symptoms and extreme mood swings. It can help make your behavior more even and predictable.

Many people act very agitated, uncooperative, and aggressive during acute manic episodes, which can be frightening. Medicine can help get these behaviors back under control. Once that's achieved, your healthcare provider may recommend continuing medicine (along with psychotherapy and support from your family and friends) to help you stay stable.

But taking medicine as prescribed and staying on it can be hard. You may feel like you don't need medicine when your symptoms improve. And because the side effects can be bothersome, you may want to stop taking medicine altogether. It's important to continue taking your medicine until you talk with your healthcare provider.

If you have questions about how your medicine is working, you should be talking to your healthcare provider.

Counseling, training, and support

With counseling, including psychotherapy, training, and support from family and friends, you may find it easier to deal with the emotions and stresses of bipolar disorder. Find out about sources of support and other resources for information.



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What is Depression?
Don't let this list of symptoms scare you. Treatments and therapies are available to help with the symptoms of depression.
Causes of Depression
There's no simple explanation why people experience depression. It's a complex disease that may develop for a variety of reasons. It can affect anyone at any age, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or income level.

Some people become depressed after a major life change—the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a job or a move. Even seemingly happy events, such as becoming a parent or getting married, can trigger depression. Or, even a smaller change can sometimes trigger depression.

Some risk factors for depression include:
A family history of depression


Death or illness of a loved one


Stressful conflicts, such as fights with family members or disputes at work


Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse


Major life events, such as moving, graduating from college, changing jobs, getting married or divorced, becoming a new parent, or retiring


Financial difficulties

Answer 9

Depression doesn't include mania, hypomania, or mixed states (depressed and manic at the same time). Big difference.

Answer 10

Depressed you are really sad bipolar your personality changes.