Differences in Brain Chemistry Between Major Depression & Bipolar Disorder

Major depression and bipolar disorder are two different diseases with similar symptoms. Sometimes people are misdiagnosed with major depression instead of bipolar disorder when they are in the midst of a depressive episode. Because there are differences in the brain chemistry of these diseases, it is imperative to give your doctor all of your symptom history, including depressive and manic episodes.

Definition of Major Depression

• Major depression is persistent sadness that lasts longer than two weeks. Major depression, or clinical depression, affects over 15 million Americans, according to the National Institute on Mental Illness.

Brain Areas Affected by Major Depression

• Through MRIs and PET scans, scientists have found that the frontal lobes and hippocampus parts of the brain are smaller in people with major depression than in people without that diagnosis. There is also more cortisol, a stress hormone, in their blood.

Treatment of Major Depression

• Some treatment options for major depression include medication and psychotherapy. For those who suffer sever depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been beneficial.

Definition of Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by rapid changes in mood. A person with bipolar disorder can experience extreme depressive episodes followed by extreme manic episodes.

Brain Areas Affected by Bipolar Disorder

• Scientists have found that people diagnosed with bipolar disorder have around 30% more monamines produced in their brains than people without the diagnosis. Monamines include neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

• The most effective treatments for bipolar disorder are medication and psychotherapy. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is also beneficial for extreme cases when medications do not work.