Manic Depression Clinics

What is the difference between manic depression and bipolar disorder?

Bipolar Disorder and Manic Depression are serious psychological disorders that affect a person’s mood and energy level. While very similar in nature, this two disorders are different and treatable. Manic Depression Clinics can help a person with a diagnosis and course of treatment.

What is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis. The main symptoms are “episodes” (short periods) of high energy and and elevated, with or without a depressive episode. A depressive episode is one where a person experiences mild or severe forms of depression and feelings of hopelessness and low energy. It gets the name “bipolar” from the two extremes – very happy, and very depressed. Some forms of this disorder are more severe than others, many Manic Depression Clinics Los Angeles can help a person determine where they are on the “bipolar spectrum.” Bipolar disorder can be treated with a combination of medication and therapy as prescribed by a doctor.

What is Manic Depression?
Manic Depression is very similar to Bipolar Disorder. The person affected goes through periods of extreme depression and negative feelings and low energy. These periods do not have to last very long, and be spread out over time, but differ from regular depression in their severity. Manic Depression can also be treated with medication and therapy. While there is a spectrum of the severity of manic depression, it is identified by how strong the depression is, so the spectrum is narrower than that of bipolar disorder. Again, a Manic Depression Clinics Los Angeles can help a person determine the proper course of treatment.

What is the difference between the two?

Bipolar disorder and manic depression are very similar, and are often treated with the same medications and courses of therapy. The main difference between the two is that bipolar disorder is marked by the presence of good episodes (feelings of joy, high energy and happiness), while manic depression has no such episodes. A qualified healthcare professional at Manic Depression Clinics LA can help a person determine what their situation is after an evaluation.

How do I know my diagnosis is correct?

Only a qualified medical doctor (usually from a Manic Depression Clinics LA) can diagnose bipolar disorder and manic depression. However, if after you have started a course of treatment, such as medication, the symptoms have not improved, you may wish to seek a second opinion. It can often help to keep a journal or diary of your moods and feelings every day to track “episodes” and to show to a doctor at a Manic Depression Clinics and aid them in making an accurate diagnosis.