[Laualless22]

Can someone please explain this to me. One doc said depression the other BP

[CesarioRose]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

Basically, instead of feeling depressed all the time, someone who suffers from Bi Polar disorder cycles in/out of Depression and into some form of Mania, either full-blown, or mild/hypo-mania. Some also experience mixed affective episodes, which have a mix of depression and mania in one combo or another. Such as Dysphoric Mania, or Agitated Depression. But i would start with the above wiki article.

In contrast, here is the major depressive disorder page, which is more commonly known as "depression" or "clinical depression" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_depressive_disorder

[blueoctober]

Hi Laualless22;

Bipolar II is where a person experiences major depression, but has experienced at least one hypomanic episode. A person with Bipolar II will experience major depression most often and many people have been misdiagnosed with unipolar depression prior to receiving a BP II diagnosis. For some recognizing the hypomania can be difficult. For me it's usually quite subtle.

Bipolar I is a person who experiences mania or mixed states and they may or may not experience major depression.

The treatment for bipolar and unipolar depression will be different. I am on an anti-depressant, but I need to be on a mood stabilizer too because without it the anti-d will push my mood into mania. I would suggest speaking to your pdoc about it to ensure you're getting the correct treatment. Hope that helps.

[CesarioRose]

I hate to confuse people, but i, too, am curious.

But I have been diagnosed with BP II, but I experienced a Mixed Episode. It's been reported, I believe, that even those who have BP II have mixed states. (Even on Lithium, at the time.)

[blueoctober]

Based on the current DSM-IV the BP II diagnostic criteria doesn't include mixed episodes.

[CesarioRose]

Huh, weird. I wonder if the weird combo of my meds caused it. But w/ever, i apologize for derailing the thread.

Anyhoo, Blue October posted some really good info on the Diagnostic Criteria.

[Moose72]

Does your dr know you've had mixed episodes?

[CesarioRose]

Of course; or at least i trust my T to consult my pdoc about what i experience.

[sugahorse1]

Bipolar has to have changes in mood - from depression to "feeling good" - either manic, or just hypomanic.

People are often first diagnosed as depressed, before being dx'd with bipolar - unless hospitalisation was first required for mania

[PT52]

Originally Posted by Laualless22

Can someone please explain this to me. One doc said depression the other BP

I spent years with a diagnosis of depression/anxiety. My hypomanic phases were misinterpreted as anxiety. And blueoctober is absolutely right - if you are BP, an antidepressant alone could easily trigger a hypomanic phase. If you are only on a mood leveler, it can cause serious depression, which is why the two are often prescribed together. I've been on both sides of that coin and am doing fairly well on Lamictal and Wellbutrin.