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Depression vs. Bipolar

It's completely normal to feel a little down or blue every once in a while. You may be sad over the loss of a loved one or of something important to you. Sadness is a part of the grieving process. But when sadness lasts and starts to interfere with your life, you are dealing with depression. Depression can also be a part of other illnesses such as anxiety disorders, panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. Bi-polar disease encapsulates both manic episodes and depressive episodes.

  1. Depression

    • Depression is a painful illness for both the person who has it and those around her. It interferes with every aspect of your life. It affects your sleep, your ability to work and your ability to enjoy the things that you once did. Often described as an intense sadness and loss of joy in life, depression is a serious illness. There are different forms of depression. Major depression, psychotic depression and postpartum depression are all forms of depression. Seasonal effective disorder, when depression occurs during the winter months due to less natural light, is also considered a form of depression.

    Signs and Symptoms

    • Symptoms can vary from one person to the next. You may experience severe fatigue and difficulty concentrating but not exhibit signs of irritability. You may also experience persistent sadness, feelings of guilt, aches and overeating. Thoughts of suicide are a serious sign of depression; if this is occurring in you or someone you know, seek medical help immediately.

    Bipolar

    • Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by extreme shifts in mood and energy. It is characterized by severe highs, or manic episodes, and extreme lows, or depressive episodes. During these changes in mood you may become irritable, or even angry and hostile. Bipolar disorder can cause problems with your relationships and your ability to function in a workplace environment.

    Signs and Symptoms

    • The symptoms of bipolar disorder are divided into manic and depressive symptoms. Some of the manic symptoms include being overly happy, feeling jumpy, talking very fast and being restless. You may also take part in pleasurable but risky behaviors. Depressive, or low, symptoms include losing interest in activities, feeling tired, being irritable and having trouble concentrating. It's during these episodes that the common symptoms of depression are seen in a person with bipolar disorder.

    Treatment

    • For both depression and bipolar disorder, help is available. The first step is talking to your doctor and getting her help mapping out a plan to manage your disease. For depression there are options such as anti-depressants and psychotherapy. The medications can help to regulate mood and the psychotherapy can help you learn to replace negative behaviors with positive ones. For the majority of people with depression, the condition is treatable. For bipolar disorder the treatment can be the same. And while there is no cure currently, most people with bipolar are able to gain control of their moods with medication and psychotherapy.

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