By A. Green
What is the difference between manic depression and bipolar? The two are the same illness; however, the term bipolar is used more frequently. This is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in energy, mood, and ability to function.
What is the difference in depression and bipolar? A person in the grip of a major depressive episode needs an antidepressant, whereas a person suffering with manic-depressive symptoms requires a mood stabilizer such as lithium or valproic acid.
In asking what is the difference between manic depression and bipolar, it can be seen that while these are one and the same illness, classifications of the illness do exist. For example, categories include bipolar I, II, and cyclothymic disorder.
In actuality, what is the difference in depression and bipolar? It can be seen that while a depressed person suffers with depressive symptoms, someone with manic-depressive illness experiences periods of elevated mood or mania—when he or she feels on top of the world.
In most cases of manic-depressive illness, however, the low moods outnumber manic states. Symptoms are unpredictable and can be severe and prolonged, or mild and of short duration. In evaluating what is the difference between manic depression and bipolar, differences can be seen in how the condition is experienced by those struggling to live with it.
A person suffering from a depressive disorder may feel that it is impossible to come out from under a dark cloud of despair. We could say that this defines what is the difference in depression and bipolar. Conversely, the person who experiences cyclothymic or manic symptoms feels unusually optimistic and full of hope.
If we were to try to pin down exactly what is the difference between manic depression and bipolar, it might be helpful to examine the different manifestations of the illness.
In the first classification (I), the person has experienced at least one manic episode, which may or may not include depressive symptoms; however, in most cases, manic periods will precede or follow depressive episodes in a regular cycles.
In the second classification (II), the illness is accompanied by predominantly depressive symptoms, relieved by occasional episodes of hypomania (elevated mood). Hypomania is typically milder and may not be as obvious as mania.
A third classification is cyclothymic disorder. This is not as severe as I or II but can be chronic. Hypomanic symptoms are often accompanied by or expressed as irritability.
Rapid cycling may also take place, where mood fluctuations swing back and forth a number of times in a year or even several times in a day. Treatment can be particularly challenging because of the cyclical pattern.
It can be seen that, when determining what is the difference in depression and bipolar symptoms, manic-depressive illness is accompanied by periods where a person feels unusually well and on top of things.
Scientific discoveries have revealed interesting facts about the brain and how deficiencies of certain nutrients toy with functioning. People with disturbances in neurotransmitters may have lower levels of omega 3 fatty acids; 5-HTP has been shown to have antidepressant effects in manic-depressive illness; in recent studies, low levels of folate were linked to mania; and mania and depression have been linked to B12 deficiencies.
Natural remedies work to restore neurotransmitter functioning by combining specific ingredients that target imbalances. When the brain is supplied with the neuronutrients it needs, it has the ability to heal itself.
In answering the question, what is the difference between manic depression and bipolar , it can be seen that the disorder manifests in differences in symptoms, which are signs that the brain is malfunctioning.
Gaining an understanding about depressive or manic-depressive symptoms can help when you are struggling to understand why you feel the way you do and when you are considering treatment strategies. It is always important to obtain advice from a qualified practitioner for treatment of either condition.
| Athlyn Green is an avid health enthusiast with an interest in natural remedies for treatment of health disorders. She has contributed to What Is The Difference In Depression And Bipolar, a section of http://www.beat-your-depression.com dedicated to natural treatments and prescription drug alternatives for this disorder. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A._Green |
No comments:
Post a Comment