what’s the difference between bipolar and manic- depression?

5 Comments

1. Nessa says:

   July 13, 2010 at 9:28 am

   i thought they were the exact same things just different names
2. jack says:

   July 13, 2010 at 10:16 am

   i think manic depression is just another term for bipolar disorder..
3. shazified. says:

   July 13, 2010 at 11:09 am

   There is no difference between bipolar disorder and manic depression. Bipolar is the modern term for manic depression. The term “manic depression” is much misunderstood. Some people think “manic” means “really depressed.” Mania is the ‘opposite’ of depression. A manic depressive is someone who cycles between being manic and depressed. The term “bipolar” supposedly makes this more clear.

   The words manic depressive were previously used in medical literature, but now that we have come out with new disorders we thought we’d rename the previously benign-sounding manic depressive, who had worth and human dignity and was capable of creative endeavors the more hyped up current terminology, which I personally believe only serves to further undermine the success of treatment by further stigmatizing people who are considered strange or hard to understand. In addition to changing the name, they have added new categories in the dsm-v (the bible of craziness) and made up new symptoms (they didn’t have shopping freaks in teh 1800′s) to reflect current socio-cultural conditions.
4. answer boy says:

   July 13, 2010 at 11:37 am

   No, and if you or anyone you know has bipolar disorder, good luck, follow the therapy recommended and take the meds.
5. kytteneyes says:

   July 13, 2010 at 11:51 am

   They are the same. Just bipolar relates to the poles in mood really up or really down.