A 43-year-old member asked:
What are the difference between manic depressive disorder and major depression?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
24 years experience
Bipolar vs. major: The key difference between manic-depressive (a.K.A., bipolar) and major depression are the swings in mood. Depression can include anxiety and irritability but not mania (i.e., pressured thoughts & speech, impulsivity, low need for sleep, highly focused behaviors). There are forms of bipolar without mania. If you're worried about yourself, friend or loved one, talk with your doctor. Reach out!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jeffrey Satinoveranswered
Psychiatry 41 years experience
Mania: People who suffer from manic depression ("bipolar") have two poles of extreme mood--both depression (low) and mania (high) as colleagues have described. It's important to realize that with just episodes of depression, it is not certain whether the depression is "unipolar" or part of "bipolar". Once one has a manic episode, bipolar is confirmed, even if the depression has not yet appeared.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
Manic depressive disorder vs major depression, what is the difference?
3 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barbara Lavianswered
Clinical Psychology 37 years experience
These are different: Diagnosis. People with depression may have bouts with depression followed by periods when they are less depressed. They do not have manic episodes. Bipolar disorder is a physical illness like diabetes that does not go away, it simply can be controlled using and adjusting the proper medication throughout your life. Having a good psychotherapist and psychiatrist is imperative. I hope this helps.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
I want to know what is the difference between having depression and being manic-depressive?
2 doctor answers • 10 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ernest Bordinianswered
Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology 34 years experience
Manic-depresssion: Reminds me of the old jimmy hendrix song line. Basically manic depression requires both an episode of depression and a full blown manic episode. This would be classic manic-depression or what we call type i, a briefer episode of elated mood, sleeplessness, pressured speech, irritability, restlessness, impulsiveness etc would be bipolar ii. Some people only have repeating depressive episodes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
What's the difference between regular depression and being manic depressive?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Steven Reidbordanswered
Psychiatry 38 years experience
Mania: Regular (or "unipolar") depression just has low moods, not abnormally high ones. In contrast, manic depression, now called bipolar disorder, has low moods as well as mania, or abnormally high moods. These are like being under the influence of a strong stimulant: rapid speech, excitement, poor social judgment, irritability, and often grandiosity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
How is manic-depressive disorder managed?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Alan Alianswered
Psychiatry 34 years experience
Manic depressive: Psychotherapy & medication management, depending on type.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated May 14, 2016
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