Difference Between Bipolar & Dysthymia

Bipolar disorder and dysthymia are both chronic mental disorders that share some common features though they are separate disorders.

Bipolar

• Bipolar disorder, which is sometimes referred to as manic depression, is a long-term mental disorder involving some extent of unpredictable mood swings, from overly excited to sad and hopeless, known as mood episodes.

Dysthymia

• Dysthmia, which is sometimes referred to as dysthmic disorder, is less severe than other types of depression. It is a long-term depression in which a person's moods are generally sad and dark.

Cause

• According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the cause of bipolar disorder is unclear, though genetics, brain chemistry and environment may be factors. According to the National Institutes of Health, the cause of dysthymia is unknown.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of bipolar disorder include alternating manic and depressive episodes that have corresponding changes in behavior and mood. Those with dysthymia may display a sad, hopeless mood almost daily for at least two years.

Treatment

• Symptoms of bipolar disorder may be treated by mood stabilizing drugs, atypical antipsychotics, antidepressants and psychotherapy. Treatment of dysthmia may include antidepressants and psychotherapy.