What is the difference between major depression and bipolar depression?

Bipolar depression, which is characterized by alternating (sometimes simultaneous) periods of depression and mania. Unipolar depression, more commonly known as major depression, which has no manic periods.

Can you have major depressive disorder and bipolar?

Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are two separate conditions — you can’t be diagnosed with both at the same time. But that’s because diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder II includes MDD. Of course, it is possible to be misdiagnosed.

Is bipolar depression the same as bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

Is bipolar and manic depression the same thing?

Bipolar disorder was formerly called manic depression. It is a form of major affective disorder, or mood disorder, defined by manic or hypomanic episodes (changes from one’s normal mood accompanied by high energy states). Bipolar disorder is a serious condition.

What is the defining difference between making a diagnosis of major depressive disorder versus bipolar disorder?

People with a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder will have had at least one hypomanic episode, which preceded or followed a major depressive episode. People with major depressive disorder do not experience any extreme, elevated feelings that doctors would classify as mania or hypomania.

How do you know if you have bipolar depression?

To get a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you must have had at least one manic or hypomanic experience. Signs of manic behavior include: Your mood isn’t comfortable. It might feel good at first, especially after depression.

How do you explain bipolar depression?

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). When you become depressed, you may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most activities.