Unipolar vs. Bipolar Disorder Explained

Depression affects nearly 20 million Americans each year – nearly twice as many women as men. Depression is known as a mood or affective disorder and can often be linked with other psychiatric conditions such as anxiety disorder. There are several different types of disorders for which one may receive a depression diagnosis but can be divided into two groups: unipolar depressive disorders and bipolar depressive disorders.

Unipolar Depression Disorders

Dysthymia is less severe than other forms of depression. Feelings of sadness and loss of energy may keep one from feeling happy but it does not generally interfere with day to day functioning. Dysthymia is often manageable by therapy and natural remedies such as exercise and meditation but may require the use of antidepressants, particularly if the condition worsens.

Major depressive diagnosis is given when one has chronic periods of serious depression. Clinical depression affects nearly 10 million people, two thirds of which are women. Major depressive illness, is characterized by feelings of intense sadness, crying for unapparent reasons, loss of energy, generalized pain, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, lack of interest in self and enjoyable activities and in severe cases, thoughts of suicide. Most cases of major depression diagnosis will require the use of antidepressant medication for several months before symptoms begin to subside.

Situational depression is a depression diagnosis given to someone who has had a traumatic event that has caused the person to become depressed. A serious event such as the death of a loved one, divorce, or personal illness are all known to cause depression in some people. Most people will recover from situational depression on their own but may benefit from therapy. More severe cases may require medication. This condition can be a part of post traumatic stress disorder after a severe personal trauma.

Postpartum depression occurs several months after the birth of a child. Due to changing hormone states, loss of sleep and feelings of being overwhelmed by new responsibilities. In most cases, post partum depression will resolve itself as the new mother’s hormones return to normal and she becomes accustomed to new activities and responsibilities but some cases may require antidepressants or antianxiety medications.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is depression that comes on with the changes of the season. Most often SAD affects people in winter when the daylight becomes shorter. It may be related to falling production of melatonin in the brain caused by low light levels experienced in winter. SAD can often be treated naturally with light therapy and melatonin dietary supplementation but is treated with traditional antidepressant medication as well.

Bipolar Depressive Disorders

Manic depression over 2 million Americans and is equal amongst men and women. Manic depression diagnosis is given for sufferers who have periods of depression alternating with periods of heightened activity during which the person may exhibit risky behavior such as gambling, drug use or wild spending sprees. Also known as bipolar disorder, manic depression is characterized by extreme changes in activity levels, mood state and thought processes.

A manic depression diagnosis can affect children but the disorder most often emerges in early adulthood. Severe cases of manic depression may cause the patient to demonstrate bizarre and psychotic behavior such as hallucinations and grandiose ideas of being all powerful. Most people with manic depression diagnosis can be managed with a combination of antidepressants and anti manic agents but more severe cases involving psychosis may require the addition of antipsychotic medication.

Cyclothymic disorder is a less severe form of manic depression and can sometimes referred to as hypomania or even Bipolar II disorder. Generally the patient will exhibit periods of depression followed by periods of normalcy or slightly manic behavior. In most cases the patient’s daily functioning will not be impaired as the phases of the illness tend to be less severe. The hypomanic phase may demonstrate as periods of agitation or irritability rather than risk taking behavior seen in true manic depression. Cyclothymic disorder may be treated in a similar manner to bipolar disorder using a combination of antidepressants and anti manic agents.

Any type of depression which affects daily functioning should be addressed by a mental health professional. In order to treat depression it is important to get the right depression diagnosis so that one can begin to recover  and return to normal life with treatment. About 8 out of 9 cases of depression can be completely resolved with treatment.