Posted by Cam W. on April 24, 2000, at 6:44:02
In reply to Re: Marijuana and anti-depressants, posted by Sue on April 24, 2000, at 1:23:54
Sue - The difference between bipolar disorder and unipolar depression is that in bipolar disorder you have mood swings (usually) from mania (or hypomania-a not as noticeable or severe mania) to depression (either mild or profound). Bipolar illness runs on a continuum from very manic with little depression to very slight (or almost non-existent) mania and profound depression; or differing degrees of each. Everyone is different.Unipolar depression is a state of your entire body system being "depressed" or a chemical imbalance that gives you that "down" feeling with few or no periods of feeling energized or "normal".
First break usually signifies the first real manic episode (or sometimes depressive episode) that occurs in bipolar disorder. Most people have their first break in late adolescence or early adulthood, although it can happen earlier or later.
I am not a doctor, but this is my take on it. Hopefully someone else can add to the distinction between the 2 disorders. - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:31009
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000420/msgs/31141.html