Major Depression and Manic Depression - Any Difference?
Countless number of patients and their family members have asked me about manicdepression and major depression. Is there any difference? Are they one and the same? Is the treatment the same? And so on. Each time I encounter a chorus of questions like these, I am enthused to provide answers.
You know why? Because the difference between these two disorders is enormous. The difference does not lie on clinical presentation alone. The treatment of these two disorders is significantly distinct.
Let me begin by describing major depression (officially called major depressive disorder). Major depression is a primary psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of either a depressed mood or lack of interest to do usual activities occurring on a daily basis for at least two weeks. Just like other disorders, this illness has associated features such as impairment in energy, appetite, sleep, concentration, and desire to have sex.
In addition, patients afflicted with this disorder also suffer from feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Tearfulness or crying episodes and irritability are not uncommon. If left untreated, patients get worse. They become socially withdrawn and cant go to work. Moreover, about 15% of depressed patients become suicidal and occasionally, homicidal. Other patients develop psychosishearing voices (hallucinations) or having false beliefs (delusions) that people are out to get them.
What about manic-depression or bipolar disorder?
Manic-depression is a type of primary psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of major depression (as described above) and episodes of mania that last for at least a week. When mania is present, patients show signs opposite of clinical depression. During the episode, patients show significant euphoria or extreme irritability. In addition, patients become talkative and loud.
Moreover, this type of patients doesnt need a lot of sleep. At night, they are very busy making phone calls, cleaning the house, and starting new projects. Despite apparent lack of sleep, they are still very energetic in the morning ready to establish new business endeavors. Because they believe that they have special powers, they involve in unreasonable business deals and unrealistic personal projects.
They also become hypersexual wanting to have sex several times a day. Onenight stands can happen resulting in marital conflict. Like depressed patients, manic patients develop delusions (false beliefs). I know a manic patient who thinks that he is the Chosen One. Another patient claims that the President of USA and the Prime Minister of Canada ask for her advice.
So the big difference between the two is the presence of mania. This manic episode has treatment implications. In fact the treatment of these disorders is completely different. While major depression needs antidepressant, manic-depression requires a mood stabilizer such as lithium and valproic acid. Recently, new antipsychotics, for example risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine, have been shown to be effective for acute mania.
In general, giving an antidepressant to manicdepressed patients can make their condition worse because this medication can precipitate a switch to manic episode. Although there are some exceptions to the rule (extreme depression, lack of response to mood stabilizers, among others), it is preferable to avoid antidepressants among bipolar patients.
When considering the use of antidepressant in a depressed bipolar patient, clinicians should combine the medication with a mood stabilizer and should use an antidepressant (e.g. bupropion) that has a low tendency to cause a switch to mania.
About The Author
Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. Dr. Michael G. Rayel author (First Aid to Mental IllnessFinalist, Readers Preference Choice Award 2002), speaker, workshop leader, and psychiatrist. Dr. Rayel pioneers the CARE Approach as first aid for mental health. To receive free newsletter, visit http://www.drrayel.com. His books are available at major online bookstores.
Depressed Teens
Depressed teens are are very common phenomenon, and there are more and more of them every day. On the average, four out of 10...
What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is also commonly known as manic depression. Manic depression is a psychological disorder that is treatable, ...
History of Clinical Depression
There are several things you inherit from your parents the color of your hair and eyes, your skin tone, even your height. You...
Dealing with Depression
Depression, also clinically known as major depressive disorder, affects millions of people around the world but most do not u...
Clinical Depression and Brain Functions
Clinical depression is real. It is a very common illness that afflicts thousands of people. Unfortunately, many do not take i...
Cures for Depression
Have you ever felt very like life was treating you unfairly, or that life was not worth living anymore. If the answer is yes...
What is Manic Depression?
Manic depression is that state of depression in which the patient suffers from mood swings which go between extreme elation a...
Understanding Bipolar Depression
Bipolar depression is a mood disorder characterized by the alternation of depressive and manic states. The distinguishing cha...
Depression - False Indentity
Who is more prone to become affected by or suffer from psychological problems? the answer nearly everyone. Depression in the ...
Recognizing Depression
Depression is a serious issue. There are simply hundreds of thousands of people who deal with depression on a daily basis. Ar...
Avoiding Depression
Can you really avoid depression? Is there a way that you can get rid of this awful disease that seems to be taking over your ...
Seek Depression Help
Depression Help here will help you seeking the way to avoid depression. It will be very simple to help you to stay away from...
Pros and Cons of Taking Medication for Manic Depression
Medication is not usually used as a first line of defense against manic depression. Often, the patient has to undergo psychot...
How To Treat Depression
Depression is very common among Americans, especially given the fast life they live. Though the treatment for depression is q...
Manic Depression
Also called bipolar mood disorder, manic depression is a very serious disease of brain associated with extreme shifts in mood...
A Guide To Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder or manic depression is a psychological illness which manifests as having extreme changes in mood, behavior a...
Teen Depression
Everyone feels down at some point. Its normal to feel the blues. But if you are sad most of the time and the feeling is start...
Symptoms Of Depression
In normal daily life, it is obvious that people overlook the general symptoms of depression. Any kind of manic disorders or p...
Clinical Depression A Quick Guide
The term clinical depression, also called major depression refers to a medical term for any type of depression that needs som...
Psychotic Depression
Depression does not only let you feel sorry for yourself, but also it can make you see, hear things, and think illogically. T...