[supertech]

I've seen the commercials advertising bi-polar depression and not sure whats the difference

[lunaticfringe]

You mean the commercials for Latuda? I don't think there is a difference. Bipolar depression is just a part of bipolar. I think the commercial is meant to emphasize that the med is good for targeting the depression phase. I could be wrong.

[LettinG0]

I think they are just distinguishing BP depression because it is a different animal than unipolar or just plain depression.....and I do NOT mean 'just plain' as a diminishing or dismissive term at all. All depression is hellatious and sucks....they are just very different

[gayleggg]

I agree with lunaticfringe. I think bipolar depression is just a term that they are using for commercial reasons.

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[convalescence]

The "old" term that used to be used for bipolar disorder was manic depression, because it was characterized by mania and depression. I think the commercial might be 1. Calling it bipolar depression just b/c the makers can, and or 2. The drug might treat depression phases of bipolar disorder.

[~Christina]

Marketing tool is all .

[CopperStar]

Trying to manage my depression-heavy episodes int he past has always ended in disaster. I absolutely cannot touch anti-depressants or it's only a matter of weeks before I'm completely off my rocker and extremely suicidal. So when I see/hear ads for "bipolar depression" to me it feels manipulative, like they expect me to go, "Oh wow, something made just for my depression when nothing else has been safe, oh joy!"

[cmorales]

Maybe they distinguish it because ADs can make some people manic and they're saying the advertised medication is specifically designed to bypass this trait of other medications?

Ultimately I don't think there is a difference between MDD and BP depression, but maybe there is, I don't know, I'm not a psychiatrist/psychologist.

And yes, it may very well just be a marketing scheme. I always find it odd that they advertise ADs ad APs on TV. I'm more willing to ask a doc about medication I hear about from my peers (you wonderful people) than meds I hear about on TV, because the TV spots are put out by pharmaceutical companies trying to push pills as opposed to patients who have actually tried the medication.

[CopperStar]

Originally Posted by cmorales

Maybe they distinguish it because ADs can make some people manic and they're saying the advertised medication is specifically designed to bypass this trait of other medications?

Ultimately I don't think there is a difference between MDD and BP depression, but maybe there is, I don't know, I'm not a psychiatrist/psychologist.

And yes, it may very well just be a marketing scheme. I always find it odd that they advertise ADs ad APs on TV. I'm more willing to ask a doc about medication I hear about from my peers (you wonderful people) than meds I hear about on TV, because the TV spots are put out by pharmaceutical companies trying to push pills as opposed to patients who have actually tried the medication.

I still remember the little Zoloft guy.

[BipolaRNurse]

The thing that gets me about the Latuda and Abilify commercials is that they never tell you what the drug really is---an antipsychotic. They advertise these meds like they are antidepressants instead. I think that stinks.....they only do this because people would probably freak out at being prescribed an AP. So much for truth in advertising!