This document discusses the differences between depression and bipolar disorder. While depression and bipolar disorder share some common traits like depressed mood, they are distinct conditions. Depression involves feeling hopeless, despair, and lack of energy while bipolar disorder involves alternating between periods of depression and periods of mania, where a person feels hyperactive, impulsive, and engages in risky behaviors. Understanding the differences in symptoms is important for properly treating these conditions.

1. The Difference Between
Bipolar Disorder and
Depression
Dr. Nirmit Sheth

2. Depression and bipolar disorder share a lot of common traits. In fact,
depression is actually one of the two main facets of the latter condition,
which presents as a constant back-and-forth between being depressed and
being hyperactive and impulsive (known as mania). Understanding these
two disorders, including their very different treatment methods, is crucial
to helping those suffering from either condition.
Being depressed is like being in a literal pit of hopelessness and despair. It
can be difficult to get out of bed, or perform routine tasks like showering
and preparing meals. It all feels like too much effort for nothing, and it can
be extremely debilitating for many people. Depression causes a variety of
symptoms, and they can be quite different from one person to the next.
Common symptoms of depression include:

3. Fatigue
Loss of energy
Feeling hopeless or worthless
Feelings of guilt and despair
Inability to concentrate
Loss of appetite
Loss of interest in hobbies
Lack of sex drive or loss of interest in sex
Insomnia
Difficulty maintaining personal hygiene
No one will necessarily experience all of these symptoms, and even
someone who only experiences a couple of them may still be
struggling with a moderate case of depression. Furthermore, these
symptoms will appear in many people who might otherwise appear to
“have no reason to be depressed”. This is a medical condition and
regardless of external factors (such as quality of life or class status), it
can affect anyone.

4. Understanding Biopolar
Disorder
Along with the depression and its symptoms discussed above, those who are suffering from bipolar disorder
will also experience episodes of mania in between their depressed states. Mania can include a cluster of
symptoms and related actions, and again will be different for each individual. Some common occurrences
during a manic episode include:
-Rapid thoughts and speech
-Increased irritability
-Decreased tolerance
-Poor judgment calls
-Impulsivity
-Delusions or hallucinations
-Recklessness
If depression is the proverbial pit, then bipolar disorder would be seen as a
series of highs and lows. People suffering from this condition randomly
fluctuate between really high and really low, and are unable to find a “middle
ground”.

5. WWW.DRNIRMITSHETH.COM