is there a difference between Bipolar NOS and Psychotic Depression?
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at
8:50 am
bipolar as far as i can tell may be a spectrum disorder far beyond the scope of types I, II and cyclothymia. the nos type to me seems to have different sub-categorizations. it seems like the only bipolar type that can involve psychosis is bipolar I. but also possibly NOS? is this true? if so, what are the differences if any between the two?
Tagged with: between • Bipolar • depression • difference • psychotic • there
Filed under: Bipolar Types
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Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified is a chronic disorder.
Psychotic Depression is a symptomatic disorder that once the depression is successfully treated, the psychosis should disappear.
In short, one is permanent and the other is temporary.
Huh. When I hear Psychotic Depression, I think Effy from Skins. At the time, I had believed that Psychotic Depression was extremely similar to Schizophrenia. But, now that I think, I now see how Bipolar NOS could have very much more likely been her problem. Which, in a way, shows how similar the two illnesses are. Then again, it is said that Bipolar and Schizophrenia are similar.
The point? Bipolar NOS and Psychotic Depression have small differences, yes. Otherwise they would not be catorgorised as seperate illnesses. Psychiatry is not an exact science and signs and symptoms are always going to vary between patients, so you can never have a no different case anyway.
Did you understand what I have just said? Because to me, it sounds like a bunch of rubbish and babble. Huh.
use Dictionary.com and search up Bipolar and Schitzophrenia. The differences should become clear.
Bipolar disorder NOS is diagnosed when the disorder does not fall within a specific subtype. (Either it varies from bipolar 1 to bipolar 2 or cyclothymia). The constant within all these subtypes is that the patient at some point or another experiences both depression and mania. On the other hand, psychotic depression is when a person is severely depressed and experiences psychosis. Psychosis and mania are not synonymous, although most people talk about them as if they’re interchangeable. Try to think of mania (typically) as more of a extreme rash and impulsive state of mind. Psychosis, on the other hand, involves an irrational belief system. Mania, at it’s base is elevated mood, whereas psychosis at it’s base is distorted contact with reality. From what I’ve read, it’s also harder to get a through to a psychotic than it is a manic. Another thing to consider is that a manic (specifically a person with bipolar 1 or a person with bipolar NOS) can experience psychosis if they have severe mania and their condition is left untreated, not meaning mania by itself can’t be hellish. Also, a person with bipolar disorder can experience psychosis because of severe depression, as well (hence, psychotic depression). You can’t really say that psychotic depression is any more or less chronic than bipolar disorder. Mood disorders in general can be fleeting or chronic.
There are too many components to Bipolar that it really is almost impossible to peg everyone into three categories…. There is rapid cycling which is not typical of any of the “usual” types… also mixed states…. Psychosis can occur during deep depression, that is normal (well not normal but what’s normal with Bipolar). If you are Bipolar and have psychosis that is not associated with severe moods then it is considered to be Schizoaffective disorder, a cross between Bipolar and Schizophrenia. Bipolar NOS might be diagnosed if the person is only manic but never truly depressed….. maybe they cycle between a euphoric mania and a dysphoric mania but are always manic….. that would not fit within the normal diagnostic criteria….. I am Bipolar 1. I cycle about monthly so I am a rapid cycler also….. I also have mixed states and am somewhat psychotic when I’m mixed.
There is a growing concensus among the psychiatric community that Bipolar should be looked at as a spectrum….. Just because someone is labeled Bipolar 2 does not mean that their symptoms are the same as everyone else with Bipolar 2. As it is those 3 categories are just guidelines…. every single person with Bipolar will be unique in their exact symptoms……. 95% are Bipolar 2 or have Cyclothymia (not sure if this is even Bipolar…. we call it Bipolar “lite”). Basically meaning depression with hypomania. Even someone that is depressed for 3 years then has a week of hypomania followed by years of depression will be diagnosed Bipolar because the Bipolar label is not determined but the depression at all but only by the mania. If you have never been manic you are not Bipolar, period. You can have depression that comes and goes and it is still depression and not Bipolar. Only mania gets you the diagnosis of Bipolar. Then basically they look at the intensity of mania to determine of you are Bipolar 1 or 2. Typically a 2 will have long periods of depression with very short periods of hypomania But 2′s can also rapid cycle, I used to cycle every month to 6 weeks and I would spend about equal amounts of time either hypomanic or depressed. I was diagnosed Bipolar 2 then I had a fullblown mania that lasted 4 months…. Diagnosis was changed to Bipolar 1. I may never have another fullblown mania but still I am Bipolar 1 because I have had one and the chances of me having another are very high so I have to be treated much more aggressively. Rapid cycling, mixed states, etc…. are extraneous. Bipolar 1 also has 2categoriess…. Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 1 w/ psychosis. They are different. My official diagnosis in my charts is “High Functioning Bipolar 1 w/psychosis, rapid cycling, and mixed states”. I will also depend on which doctor you see….. some will only diagnose you Bipolar 1 if you have had a fullblown mania… others will if you have psychosis with your depression….
So basically…. mild rapid mood swings = Cyclothymia, Depression with hypomania = Bipolar 2, Depression with Fullblown mania = Bipolar 1. Everything else is just an add on. Spectrum it may be but they still need to have easycategoriess so that they can determine howaggressivee treatment should be. NOS only applies to someone they can’t fit into one of the three categories, ie; someone who is only manic…….. Sorry if this sounds confusing…… you could write books and books on just the different manifestations of Bipolar and the differences between the people who have it and still not cover all the possibilities because every person is unique…. both in their person and the manifestation of their disorder…..
There is a difference. The bipolar diagnosis captures the cycle of mood swings and may not include any specific psychotic process.
Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features may be an ongoing depression or a single episode of depression. At times the person experiences the basic symptoms of psychosis.