What Is the Difference Between Bipolar Depression and Major Depression?
Bipolar depression and major depression do share a lot of similarities — both mental health conditions have the word “depression in them,” after all. So, what is the difference between major and bipolar depression? To answer that question, you first have to understand bipolar disorder, which used to be called manic depression. People who suffer from this condition do indeed experience emotional lows, or depression, during which they feel sad, hopeless, or no longer interested in things they used to enjoy. It’s the same overwhelming low feelings and emotions that people experience when they have major depression, otherwise known as major depressive disorder. However, WebMD clarifies the two are distinct because of one major thing: People with bipolar disorder will experience these periods of depression but also experience highs, known as mania or manic periods. The “bi” in the word “bipolar” means two, indicating that there are two phases. Major depression, meanwhile, has no high or manic periods — the people who suffer from it just feel the depressive episodes.
A 2023 report published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience examined the difference between major and bipolar depression among adolescents, finding that bipolar disorder is defined by its mood instability or mood swings between highs and lows. While bipolar depression and major depression episodes have the same diagnostic criteria, people with bipolar disorder also have manic or hypomanic episodes during which they experience an elevated mood, a boost in energy and activity, and a decreased need to sleep. The report said it’s easy to distinguish between depressive and manic episodes, but bipolar depression and major depression can easily be confused if the tell-tale hyper, elevated, manic periods aren’t identified as well. That’s why studies have found that most bipolar disorder patients present with depressive episodes, not manic episodes, as their first symptom and depressive episodes become dominant in the overall course of this mental health disorder.
Before we explore the connection between depression and substance abuse and how the two can complicate each other, let’s further understand what happens when people experience moments of bipolar depression or major depression.
How Bad Can Bipolar Depression Get?
People with bipolar disorder will eventually experience manic mood swings, marked by bursts of energy and high highs, but their depressive periods will be just as low and bad as someone who suffers from major depression without the manic periods. During these low moments, a depressed person doesn’t just feel low — they feel like they’re at the bottom of a pit for long periods and can start to feel hopeless or even begin contemplating suicide. According to WebMD, the symptoms of major depression include:
- Persistent sad, hopeless, or empty feelings.
- Crying.
- Changes to sleep and eating habits (sleeping too much or too little, and low appetite or eating too much).
- Feeling guilty, worthless, anxious, or frustrated.
- Low energy.
- Difficulty remembering things and concentrating.
- Unexplained physical aches.
- Thoughts of death (suicidal ideation).
When these depressive episodes last for days, weeks, or months, they’re clearly distressing to the person and can put them in danger of suicide if not addressed.
What Is Life Like for Someone with Major Depressive Disorder?
Because the difference between major and bipolar depression is simply the fact that people with bipolar disorder will experience high, manic periods in addition to depression, life with major depressive disorder is a persistent struggle against these low feelings. Someone with major depression will feel sad or even hopeless, struggle to get adequate sleep and eat the right amount, and could feel anxious, guilty, or worthless. Left untreated, these long periods of depression can seriously affect a person’s quality of life and enjoyment of the good things in their life. Untreated depression can also lead to suicidal ideation and even death by suicide, which is why it’s so important to address this common mental health struggle with adequate treatment. In order to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, patients need to experience at least five of the main symptoms of the disease for at least two weeks.
What Is a Bipolar Depressive Episode Like?
Now that you understand the difference between major and bipolar disorder let’s explore what a major depressive episode is like for someone struggling with bipolar disorder. During these low periods, people will experience five or more of the following symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Depressed mood (feeling sad, empty, or hopeless). Children and teenagers might seem irritable, angry, or even hostile.
- Loss of interest in or not feeling pleasure about almost everything.
- Losing weight when not dieting or gaining weight unintentionally.
- Inadequate sleep (sleeping too much or not enough).
- Feeling restless or acting slow.
- Fatigue or a lack of energy.
- Feeling worthless or guilty.
- Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions.
- Thinking about suicide, or planning or attempting to die by suicide.
Bipolar disorder sufferers may also feel anxious distress or fear that they’re losing control, as well as melancholy and even psychosis.
How to Pull Yourself Out of A Depressive Episode?
Depressive episodes, including depression in recovery from addiction, are an all-too-common experience for many people at some point in their lives. Whether the cause is major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, it’s important to know that effective treatment is available that can help people feel much better and learn to manage the crushing lows of a depressive episode. Depression is most often treated with a combination of antidepressant medications to balance the levels of important brain chemicals as well as therapy to help patients change their views of themselves and the world.
Johns Hopkins Medicine stresses the importance of getting help because of how much depression can affect all areas of a person’s life, including health and personal relationships. In addition, the organization recommends setting realistic goals, not taking on too much, and breaking large tasks into smaller steps. It’s also important to try not to isolate during this period, so get together with a close friend or loved one and talk about your feelings. Doing things you enjoy, such as watching a movie or participating in a social activity, can also help improve your mood. Exercise is another important part of pulling yourself out of a depressive episode because exercise can improve our mood. Lastly, avoid the temptation to try to self-medicate or numb the depression with drugs or alcohol — they’ll only make the depression worse in the long run.
Get Help with Major or Bipolar Depression at WhiteSands Treatment
The connection between depression and substance use disorder requires addiction treatment centers also to have the ability to help patients address and learn to manage their mental health disorders, whether it’s bipolar disorder or major depression. There is a major difference between major and bipolar depression. Still, not addressing either one of these illnesses while treating someone for drug or alcohol addiction will make them much more likely to struggle in recovery and eventually relapse. That’s why top addiction rehab facilities like WhiteSands Treatment offer dual diagnosis treatment, which treats addiction and mental health concerns at the same time. Our staff of experts knows that overcoming addiction also requires dealing with underlying mental health struggles, and we’ll work with you or your loved one to come up with a customized treatment plan to address both diseases at the same time. Don’t let the lows of bipolar depression or the persistent sadness and despair of major depression dominate your life — call our team at 877-855-3470 today. We can help you get better.
External Sources
- National Library of Medicine — Differentiation Between Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder in Adolescents
- WebMD — Bipolar Depression vs. Major Depressive Disorder
- Mayo Clinic — Bipolar Disorder Symptoms & Causes
- Johns Hopkins Medicine — Major Depression
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
