Manic depressive vs bipolar

Do you prefer the name "manic depressive" or the name "bipolar"?

In some ways, I think "manic depressive" is more... "accurate sounding"? For example, I feel like less people would say "lol I'm so manic depressive" than they would say "lol I'm so bipolar". Of course most people wouldn't know what manic means anyway, but they would definitely know what depressive means. And it would perhaps force people to understand the disorder better?

I hate saying manic depression for some reason. But I do agree that it sounds more accurate and like people would use it in a more serious way. Plus they assume they understand bipolar but having to research the manic part would give more people some understanding. Interesting thought.

"Manic-depressive with psychotic tendencies (including impulsive, self-destructive behaviour)" was my own diagnosis (late '70s) before the lesser-descriptive "bipolar" ever came along, and that is my preference...and yes, part of my reasoning there is related to the fact that "bipolar" seems far too generic where the other can encourage more thought about what the problem/s (or at least the resulting symptoms) might actually be.

Bipolar here...While I have manic & depressed periods, there are stable periods in between. I don't think the term "bipolar disorder" is as blatant as "manic depressive." Potato, potato; tomato, tomato, though, I guess.

"Manic Depression" is a great song by Jimi Hendrix, though!

For some reason bipolar sounds less scary. But on the other hand it makes it easier for people to flippantly say oh I'm so bipolar today if it's someone I know I ALWAYS challenge them ask "are you really bipolar? Because I really am, and trust me, you don't wanna go there!" I then take an opportunity to do a little education into mental illness and explain how it's so hurtful when people take it lightly like it's no big thing, just a couple of mood swings.

I prefer bipolar. It's tidier.

I too was labeled with the manic depressive label before bipolar came along . I prefer bipolar as there's less stigma and fear attached to it.although the media is doing their best to attach fear and bigotry to the label bipoar too, by claiming every dangerous violent person is bipolar or mentally ill.

I feel that calling it manic depressive was more of an old fashioned name, back when dr’s knew nothing about it really so I prefer bipolar. To me, “bipolar” just makes it more accurate.

Neither term is entirely accurate, both imply 2 core states and a phase transition between but I think there are more than 2 poles.

I don't mind either label. You bring up a valid point, that "manic depressive" could help people learn more about what it means to be Bipolar in an accurate way. I hate people throwing around the term Bipolar without knowing what it means!! I'm so sick of it. Sometimes when I catch someone doing that, I ask them if they know what mania is, and they look at me like I have two heads, lol. The disadvantage to the manic depressive label: it isn't broad enough and does not account for the whole spectrum of Bipolar Disorder, so either term has its flaws.

I guess I just think manic depressive sounds so Victorian...like back in the day when women were diagnosed with hysteria. BiPolar sounds more clinical to me.

I don't know why but I think I prefer Bipolar, maybe cause its not so binary.

Bipolar ... why ???? It has less stigma I think , There is always going to be sigma tho

I think this answer is brilliant. Though not so much in recent years, I've had mania, I still have wicked depression, & then there are the significant times when I just feel "normal." Bipolar is still a binary, but doesn't sound as stark as manic depressive. There are multiple manifestations of bipolar even...It would be nice if there was a term that wasn't so black & white.

I don't know that I have a preference. On one hand "manic depressive" is more descriptive. On the other hand the condition is much more than just mania and depression. And "bipolar" is shorter to say.

By the time I was diagnosed the term was bipolar. When I was told my diagnosis the practitioner explained that I had “bipolar one”. When I tell someone about my condition I never say “bipolar”. I always say “bipolar one”. There’s a difference between one and two I like to specify.

I think if they keep slinging poles at us that we should be able to dance on one

I don't like manic depressive, I actually prefer the bipolar spectrum since we're not in only two states our entire lives. If someone wants to use the manic depressive label for themselves that's fine but I don't like that label for myself.

I wish there was a diagnosis specific to my symptoms. Most of the time I’m anxious, I’m excitable sometimes - meaning once or twice a year, I really get excited about life!!

I’m hair-trigger manic with drugs that should not cause mania. I turn into someone that has all the answers-Oprah Winfrey would want to have me on her show!!

I hope this lithium I’ve been started on works.

Sigh. I guess bipolar.

I guess bipolar since it's the modern term. I never really thought much about it.

I think manic depression is more accurate. However, I refer to my condition as bipolar or bipolar 1. Frankly, neither term really describes the illness completely, as there is more to the diagnosis than just mania or depression. There are periods of wellness, hypomania, mania, mild lows to devastating depression---it's not all black and white.