How is Bipolar different from Depression?

Bipolar disorder or manic depressive disorder is a disorder that causes a shift in moods.  These shifts in moods are more significant than the average person may feel on a day to day basis.   The mood shifts for someone who is bi polar are more significant and intense and most of the times create problems in a person’s life. 

The symptoms usually appear in the late teens or early adulthood, although it is not unusual for a child or older adult to be diagnosed with this disorder.  Approximately half of the cases are diagnosed prior to age 25.

The symptoms would include mood shifts of mania and depression.  The manic symptoms would include: irritability; extreme energy; behaving impulsively and taking part in a lot of pleasurable high-risk behaviors, such as, spending sprees, impulsive sex, and impulsive business investment; racing thoughts, lack of sleep, agitation, and in some cases psychotic features such as delusions or hallucinations.  The depressive side include: sadness; guilt; anger; isolation; or hopelessness; disturbances in sleep and appetite; fatigue and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities; problems concentrating; loneliness, self-loathing, apathy or indifference; loss of interest in sexual activity; lack of motivation; and suicidal ideation.

The key difference is someone with a diagnosis of depression will not experience the mood swings or manic phase. Sometimes the manic phase may not be easily diagnosed or seen.  A person with a bipolar disorder may under report these symptoms or they may not be clearly identified. Furthermore, a person suffering from a bi polar disorder may not quickly want to address these symptoms.  There are some symptoms in the manic phase that they find enjoyable or even productive.  They may not see a concern about addressing them as significant others may.  Lastly, if the wrong medication is prescribed this could exacerbate the symptoms which could lead to a psychotic episode.

The recommended course of treatment would be seeing a psychiatrist for medication management as well as a therapist for talk therapy.  Family involvement is also helpful.  Educating family about signs and symptoms as well as offering support for them is an important part of the therapy.