The 4 Differences Between Depression and a Depressive Episode of Bipolar Disorder

Mood disorders are among the most widespread psychopathologies among the population, and among them, there are two especially frequent alterations: major depression and bipolar disorder.

Although both have many similarities and could be said to share a relationship according to diagnostic manuals, it is important to know their particularities and know how to distinguish between the two psychological disorders, especially taking into account that bipolarity has a phase in which the person suffers a depressive state. , although it is not exactly the same as “conventional” depression. Therefore, in this article we will review the differences between major depression and the depressive episode of bipolar disorder so don’t confuse the two.

How to distinguish between depression and the depressive episode in bipolar disorder?

To begin, let’s see what the characteristics, effects and symptoms of these two psychopathologies are.

Major depression, also called clinical depression or unipolar depression to distinguish it from bipolar disorder, It is possibly the most common mood disorder; Its most notable symptoms are anhedonia (inability to fully experience pleasure or good mood), dysthymia (lack of motivation for any activity, even hobbies that the person used to enjoy), emotional flattening, the feeling of almost constant fatigue and need to rest more, hopelessness, crying attacks that are difficult to control and without apparent cause, sleep disturbances, and suicidal ideation, although they do not all have to occur in the same person.

Furthermore, unipolar depression tends to last an average of 6 months, although relapses are frequent, and it can resurface several months or years after the symptoms disappear.

On the other hand, bipolar disorder is another mood disorder in which Phases of a depressive state alternate with others of a state of psychological hyperactivation associated with euphoria and motivation to do many things, even if it is unreasonable to engage in those activities. When the latter is so harmful that it causes a mental health problem, we are facing an episode of what is usually called mania; When this state of high psychological activity does not cause such significant problems, we are facing an episode of hypomania. Bipolar disorder in which there are manic episodes is type I, and if hypomanic episodes occur, it is type II.

Main differences between major depression and depressive episode of bipolarity

When distinguishing between unipolar depression and the depressive episode of bipolar disorder, it should be taken into account that, according to the diagnostic manuals, the symptoms are the same in both cases, although in the case of bipolarity the symptoms of bipolarity must also be considered. the weeks or months in which the person experiences mania or hypomania. Now, in practice, there are some nuances and subtle differences that allow us to distinguish between clinical depression and the depressive episode of bipolarity. Let’s see what they are.

1. Bipolar causes people to fall into a depressive state more frequently

Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating affective states, the more or less rapid transition between mania or hypomania, on the one hand, and depression, on the other. And although depressive episodes generally last more than twice as long as those of greater nervous activity, without treatment, they normally come to an end a little earlier than major depression, which has a great capacity to establish itself in the daily life of the person. person for more than a year. Now, although it is a little more fleeting, the depressive episode of bipolarity also tends to appear more frequently in those people who have developed this disorder.

2. The depressive episode responds in a more unpredictable way to medication

Antidepressant-type psychotropic drugs are usually very helpful in the treatment of major depression; However, they usually cause more problems in treating those who are in the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, because they either do not work, or they give rise to a manic episode very quickly, generating an excessive effect in a short time.

3. Major depression is more associated with emotional flattening and passivity

In bipolar disorder, depressive episodes are more associated with atypical symptoms that apparently are contrary to depression; For example, These people tend to be more irritable and more likely to be hostile compared to those who have developed major depression, and are more active, with a greater tendency to feel hungry frequently. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean they feel better.

4. People with depression tend to sleep a little less

Although, as we have seen, those who are in the depressive episode of bipolar disorder have a greater predisposition to be more active than those who suffer from unipolar depression, They also have a greater tendency to sleep much more than usual. It is believed that this is due to the unbalanced functioning of the nervous system, which produces a pendulum effect in relation to energy expenditure.

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