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Originally posted by Soul_Rebel
any resource site about bipolar ? What's the difference between bipolar and depression?
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Search google..
Depression is just one end of being bipolar...and there is a wide range of degrees..
"Manic-depressive illness (MDI) is one of the most common, severe, and persistent mental illnesses. It is characterized by periods of deep, prolonged, and profound depression that alternate with periods of excessively elevated and/or irritable mood known as mania. The symptoms of mania include a decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, increased libido, reckless behavior without regard for consequences, grandiosity, and severe thought disturbances, which may or may not include psychosis. Between these highs and lows, patients usually experience periods of higher functionality and can lead a productive life. MDI is a serious lifelong struggle and challenge (Bowden, 2003).
MDI has been recognized for a long time. Hippocrates described patients as "amic" and "melancholic." In 1899, Emil Kraepelin defined MDI. He noted that persons with this problem did not suffer the deterioration and dementia associated with schizophrenia.
MDI constitutes one pole of a spectrum of mood disorders including bipolar I (BPI), bipolar II (BPII), cyclothymia (oscillating high and low moods), and major depression. BPI also is referred to as classic manic-depression, characterized by distinct episodes of major depression contrasting vividly with episodes of mania, which lead to severe impairment of function. In comparison, BPII is a milder disorder consisting of depression alternating with periods of hypomania. Hypomania may be thought of as a less severe form of mania that does not include psychotic symptoms or lead to major impairment of social or occupational function."