Bipolar 1 Disorder and Bipolar 2 Disorder: What Are the Differences? Bipolar 1 vs. bipolar 2 All types of bipolar disorder are characterized by episodes of extreme highs and extreme lows. The highs are known as manic episodes. The lows are known as depressive episodes. The main difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders lies in the severity of the manic episodes caused by each type. The depressive episodes are similar between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorder. But with bipolar 1 disorder, the mania is more severe than it is with bipolar disorder 2. Bipolar 2 causes something called hypomania, which is essentially a less severe form of mania. Hypomanic behaviors might be considered atypical for a person, but maybe not abnormal. Manic behaviors, on the other hand, are more extreme and would typically be considered abnormal. What is bipolar 1 disorder? You must have had at least one manic episode and one major depressive episode to be diagnosed with bipolar 1 disor
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Mood Disorders: What Is Dysthymic Disorder? This mood disorder is a less severe form of depression . Although less extreme, dysthymic disorder causes chronic of long-lasting moodiness. With dysthymic disorder, low, dark moods invade your life nearly every day for two years or more. Dysthymia is contrasted with a full major depressive episode that lasts two years or longer, which is called chronic major depression . Dysthymic disorder can occur alone or along with other psychiatric or mood disorders. As with depression , dysthymic disorder is more common in women than in men. A family history of mood disorders is not uncommon. This mood disorder tends to appear earlier than major depression , although it can begin anytime from childhood to later in life. Up to 5% of the general population is affected by dysthymic disorder. But its cause is not well understood. A combination of factors likely conspires to create this mood disorder. These factors may include: Genetics
WARNING SIGNS OF CHILDHOOD BIPOLA There’s a beast out there, and it’s preying on children. I know; it preyed on me. It’s called bipolar disorder, and it’s a devastating mental illness that causes intense mood swings, wild and reckless behavior, emotional anguish and suicidality. And it’s being diagnosed more and more frequently in children and adolescents. To date, over one million children have been diagnosed as bipolar. It’s a very big beast. Not my child, you think. Sure, she gets pretty moody now and then, but what child doesn’t? Her grades are decent, she doesn’t really have problems in school, her teachers think she’s doing well, she can’t possibly be mentally ill. Well, I was a straight-A honors student, a cheerleader, a student Council officer and valedictorian of my high school graduating class. And yet at the age of seven, I had tried to kill myself. As I explain in my new book The Dark Side of Innocence: Growing Up Bipolar , I was so depressed about possibly gett
What’s the Difference Between Depression and Manic Depression? By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. ~ 1 min read Sometimes people are confused about the differences between clinical depression and manic depression. And it’s no wonder — they both have the word “depression” in their names. That’s one of the reason’s manic depression’s clinical name changed to “ bipolar disorder” many years ago, to more clearly distinguish it from regular depression. The difference is really quite simple, though. Manic depression — or bipolar disorder — includes clinical depression as a part of its diagnosis. You can’t have bipolar disorder without also having had an episode of clinical depression. That’s why the two disorders shared similar names for many years, because they both include the component of clinical depression. Such a depressive episode is characterized by the common signs and symptoms of depression: Feeling sad and unhappy for an uninterrupted period of at least 2 weeks Cryin
Psychotic Depression People with psychotic depression have the symptoms of major depression along with "psychotic" symptoms, such as: Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there) Delusions (false beliefs) Paranoia (wrongly believing that others are trying to harm you) A combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs can treat psychotic depression. ECT may also be an option. Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression Women who have major depression in the weeks and months after childbirth may have peripartum depression. Antidepressant drugs can help similarly to treating major depression that is unrelated to childbirth. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Women with PMDD have depression and other symptoms at the start of their period. Besides feeling depressed, you may also have: Mood swings Irritability Anxiety Trouble concentrating Fatigue Change in appetite or sleep habits Feelings of being overwhelmed Antidepressan
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Seasonal affective disorder is a period of major depression that most often happens during the winter months, when the days grow short and you get less and less sunlight. It typically goes away in the spring and summer. If you have SAD, antidepressants can help. So can light therapy. You'll need to sit in front of a special bright light box for about 15-30 minutes each day. https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-types#2-3
Persistent Depressive Disorder If you have depression that lasts for 2 years or longer, it's called persistent depressive disorder. This term is used to describe two conditions previously known as dysthymia (low-grade persistent depression) and chronic major depression. You may have symptoms such as: Change in your appetite (not eating enough or overeating) Sleep too much or too little Lack of energy, or fatigue Low self-esteem Trouble concentrating or making decisions Feel hopeless You may be treated with psychotherapy , medication, or a combination of the two. Bipolar Disorder Someone with bipolar disorder , which is also sometimes called " manic depression ," has mood episodes that range from extremes of high energy with an "up" mood to low "depressive" periods. When you're in the low phase, you'll have the symptoms of major depression. Medication can help bring your mood swings under control. Whether you