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A 42-year-old female asked:
Can you explain the difference between recurrent major depression with mood lability and bipolar disorder?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barbara Lavianswered
Clinical Psychology 37 years experience
Good question: Sometimes bipolar is missed at 1st and seen as depression with mood swings. It may take a major manic episode for the true diagnosis to be clear. However, once a manic episode rears it's head it becomes clear. The person will go hours without sleep then crash, talk a mile a minute and have thoughts of grandeur, no 1 can keep up with them. During the depressive stages they R extremely sad.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Kathy Robinsonanswered
Family Medicine 34 years experience
Different problems: With major depression you have serious depressive symptoms like sadness and hopelessness. It can be constant or come and go. Mood lability is when you mood fluctuates frequently, feeling okay one minute then sad or angry the next. With bipolar disorder you can have depression but you also have mania or hypomania, conditions with increased arousal. See doctor if you have either.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 30-year-old member asked:
I want to know what is the difference between bipolar disorder and major depression?
1 doctor answer • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Blumenfieldanswered
Psychiatry 59 years experience
Manic episode: A person has to have had a manic episode to be considered to have a bipolar disorder.
A person has to meet criteria for major depression to have that condition and they would not have had a manic episode. Both conditions are treatable although the treatment is somewhat different.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
I want to know what is the difference between depression and bipolar disorder?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Bipolar: Bipolar depression is a type of bipolar disorder when pt. Is in phase of depression.
Bipolar................Phases of depression alternating with manic/hypomanic phases.
Depression..........No manic/hypomanic phases.
Sad.................Seasonal changes in moods.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 12, 2016
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