Irritable moods are something that everyone endures at one time or another, but is that bad mood something more serious? A normal person can get over a bad mood in a reasonable amount of time but some of us can’t help but stay in the funk we are in. This could be a sign of depression or bipolar disorder. These are mental disorders that go beyond the average depressed moods.
Understanding what’s normal and what isn’t is the most important factor in diagnosing depression. Just because a person has one of these afflictions does not make them crazy. Looking into the differences can help you get the right treatment for your situation.
Bipolar Disorder versus Clinical Depression
Bipolar disorder is described as cycling between highs and lows. Most people with this condition do not have much of a middle ground. They are either in a manic state or a depressed state. Depression is a part of bipolar disorder but it can also be a condition on its own. If a person is stuck with the blues where it begins to affect their daily activities, then this could be a clinical depression.
In either case it can be an inherited disease. As the author of this article, I have battled with bipolar disorder for most of my adult life, as did my mother and her mother before her. But with the right medication and treatment we were able to live normal and happy lives.
Treatment with Medication
Both conditions are treated with anti-depressants. There are so many medications on the market today and each one acts differently. Not every medication will work the same on every individual, so do not give up after trying one or two different kinds. It may take a while but there is a medication out there that will work for you. Being aware of your own moods and actions will go a long way to help your therapist to treat you properly.
Bipolar disorder, as with clinical depression, is treated with anti-depressants. In addition, a mood stabilizer will be added. Again there are many on the market to try. Also getting the right blend is another hurdle that can take many different combinations before finding what is right for you.
Bipolar disorder affects nearly six million American adults, or about 2.5% of the adult population. Depression affects approximately 19 million Americans, or 9.5% of the population. So you are not alone. Seek the proper help if you think you may be afflicted with either of these conditions.
Sources:
National Institute of Mental Health (What is Bipolar Disorder?) accessed 3-8-2011
All About Depression (What is depression) accessed 3-8-2011
Deanna Myers - Hello to all! My name is Deanna and I am from the Midwest. Since I was very young, I found myself creating stories out of every ...
