Bi-Polar or Manic-depressive??

bamaboy473 · 03-09-2010, 02:36 PM

We were talking about things and the comment was made, "...she must be manic-depressive." to which somebody else said, "...I think you mean that she's bi-polar."

That got us talking about the differences, so can somebody give a one-sentence description of each of those afflictions?

Can somebody be both, or is it one or the other?

Mike Boehler · 03-09-2010, 02:42 PM

Rick;

a laymans's perspective;

Manic Depressive= deep depression diagnosed by a board physician
Bi-Polar= Term coined by a drug company.

Irish Harmony · 03-09-2010, 03:13 PM

Bipolar disorder, otherwise known as manic depression or bipolar depression, is a relatively common mood disorder that affects about 5.7 million Americans. Characterized by episodes of depression alternating with euphoric (manic) states, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are several and often affect an individual's daily functioning and interpersonal relationships.

Bipolar disorder symptoms include depression and feelings of hopelessness during the depressive phase of the condition. Other depressive symptoms include thoughts of suicide, alterations in sleep patterns, and loss of interest in activities that once were a source of pleasure. What differentiates bipolar disorder from major depression is the occurrence of manic episodes, often described as emotional "highs," between the episodes of depression. Symptoms of manic states are varied and include restlessness, increased energy, euphoric mood, racing thoughts, poor judgment, intrusive or provocative behavior, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased need for sleep. People experiencing manic episodes often speak very rapidly, seem overly irritable, and may have unrealistic beliefs about their own power and capability.

shadco · 03-09-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bamaboy473

We were talking about things and the comment was made, "...she must be manic-depressive." to which somebody else said, "...I think you mean that she's bi-polar."

That got us talking about the differences, so can somebody give a one-sentence description of each of those afflictions?

Can somebody be both, or is it one or the other?

Pray no one close to you is affected, I know from first hand experience how challenging this can be to deal with.

Irish harmony provided a good high level brief but b believe me there is so much more than what was covered there.

KeyPineSavage · 03-09-2010, 04:56 PM

Terrible disorder, has led to the deaths of at least three of my friends.

But the OP's question re. the two terms? Answer, no difference, only changing times/political correctness. Just as retards were labeled idiot/mongoloid/moron (scientifically) around 1920, by 1950 the correct term was "retardation", with levels mild/moderate/severe/profound. By 1995 or so, the term "retardation" was totally incorrect, and "developmentally disabled" had replaced it. Earlier, "retard" had been supplanted as insulting, and replaced by "retardate," now a "DD person."

Same w. M/D, bi-polar. Just labels. Waste of time when the disorder itself is so serious, and should get all the attention. JMO.

Joe · 03-09-2010, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Harmony

Bipolar disorder symptoms include depression and feelings of hopelessness during the depressive phase of the condition. Other depressive symptoms include thoughts of suicide, alterations in sleep patterns, and loss of interest in activities that once were a source of pleasure. What differentiates bipolar disorder from major depression is the occurrence of manic episodes, often described as emotional "highs," between the episodes of depression. Symptoms of manic states are varied and include restlessness, increased energy, euphoric mood, racing thoughts, poor judgment, intrusive or provocative behavior, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased need for sleep. People experiencing manic episodes often speak very rapidly, seem overly irritable, and may have unrealistic beliefs about their own power and capability.

I thought some of those were characteristics of working for a living.

RussH · 03-09-2010, 05:33 PM

Mike- ha ha that is a good one! I have a "used to be" fishing buddy that was just a very moody a-hole. He could hardly keep a job because not only was he moody, but he was a lazy ass too. His master plan was to get on disability so he wouldn't have to work any more and could spend more time fishing. He tried getting disability because of a bad back, when that didn't work he went for disability because of a knee surgery he had. That didn't work either, but guess what did work....Bi-Polar disorder. Now he got his wish, he doesn't work, his child support is paid for his 4 kids, he has full health insurance, never contributed a cent to a retirement account and now it's all covered for the rest of his life.

There is nothing wrong with him except he is a lazy ass. Ironically today I seen a young guy cleaning off tables at Cracker Barrel from a wheel chair. This guy is truly disabled and he is working. Bi-Polar = drug company illness.

Russ

Joe · 03-09-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussH

Mike- ha ha that is a good one! I have a "used to be" fishing buddy that was just a very moody a-hole. He could hardly keep a job because not only was he moody, but he was a lazy ass too. His master plan was to get on disability so he wouldn't have to work any more and could spend more time fishing. He tried getting disability because of a bad back, when that didn't work he went for disability because of a knee surgery he had. That didn't work either, but guess what did work....Bi-Polar disorder. Now he got his wish, he doesn't work, his child support is paid for his 4 kids, he has full health insurance, never contributed a cent to a retirement account and now it's all covered for the rest of his life.

There is nothing wrong with him except he is a lazy ass.

Maybe he just hates work?

Anymore, I agree.

number9 · 03-11-2010, 04:24 AM

2nd, manic-depressive disorder = bi-polar disorder, bi-polar is just a newer term. Those on the depressive or manic side may suffer many symptoms not mentioned in previous post or in the typical anti-depressant med brochure found in the doctor's office. If you're concerned about someone there is info available on several websites, just stay away from the pharmaceutical sites that sell drugs.

beans...

knowhowiroll · 03-11-2010, 05:22 AM

It can be managed - believe me when I say this. You have to find the right doctor even if it means seeing 50 of them. Medication and therapy are the treatments.

I know someone real well better than anyone who could know this person. At the beggining they had no idea what was going on. Today know one would know unless they knew this person in the early stages and was aware of the key symptoms (behaviors).

KeyPineSavage · 03-11-2010, 01:13 PM

And I will say again, re. the death of at least three of my friends, that if NOT managed, the patient is playing with fire. In the depressive phase, suicide is a very common occurrence, and while in the manic phase direct suicide doesn't occur, what can and does occur, at least in the more involved cases, can be total ruin...of family and loved ones' relations, of business and financial health (wild schemes, goofy investing, wild spending,) and on and on. YES, it can be managed but it is often difficult, particularly to get the patient involved. Biggest single reason (some doc correct me if I'm wrong) = when depressed, patient will often be cooperative with management regime. As soon as s/he feels better, and heads toward mania they become extremely convinced that they are 100%, "don't need those damn pills," "they dull my wonderful creativity," "yes, I was sick but now I'm fine," yadda, yadda, yadda and they quit treatment/management. Believe me, I have heard it all in the mania phase and seen it all in the depressive phase.

wheresjane · 03-11-2010, 07:02 PM

I have delt with a bi-polar friend. It not a joke. I know when he is off his medication. You can tell. He is "bullet proof" when he is off his medication. The poor care takers of him have to deal with the damage he causes. He doesn't understand what he is doing. He buys things when he is manic. He buys alot of things. I'm talking about large ticket items from cars (expensive) to boats (same) to houses. It usually ends with a law man getting involved with a stay in a jail. Until the poor individual is put back on medication (lithium) or some other medication, it's a tough, tough, on the care taker. Usually it's a wife or a parent. To those who think bi-polar isn't real...y'all are idiots...

bamaboy473 · 03-11-2010, 07:30 PM

All I can say is , Wow.... for the hurt I've caused some of us by bringing it up in the first place. While the conversation that generated this post was relative, I see now that actual cases of this disorder are painful to everybody that's involved.

I've learned something from this post and will take that knowledge forward. Thanks to all that responded.