Can you have bipolar and depression?

Are you feeling happy one moment and down the next, but wonder if it’s possible to have both bipolar and depression? Well, look no further – this article will answer all your questions!

What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that affects an individual’s mood. People who suffer from bipolar disorder can experience extreme highs known as mania, followed by intense lows called depression. It comes in two types- Type 1 and Type 2.

Bipolar I

Bipolar-I is a type of mental illness characterized by manic episodes that last for at least seven days or accompanied by symptoms like hospitalization, psychosis amongst others

Bipolar II

It involves having at least one major depressive episode lasting for more than two weeks with hypomanic moods (a less severe form of mania).

Fun fact: Did you know Lord Byron, Vincent Van Gogh & Robert Schumann are three historical figures believed to have suffered from either schizoaffective disorders or similar illnesses on the bipolar spectrum.

What is Depression?

Depression is among the most common psychiatric conditions worldwide; it typically manifests as persistent feelings of sadness or loss of interest in everyday activities.

The DSM-V states that someone has major depressive episodes when they’ve experienced depressed/low mood over time every day consistently for most portions of each day for at least two weeks straight.

But these diagnoses aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive! So yes, you can struggle with both simultaneously!

Fun fact: Smurfs may be blue creatures living in mushroom houses – but did you know ‘the blues’ once referred to melancholy & sadness centuries back?

Why do people confuse them?

Although these are separate diagnoses under The Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders(DSM-5) , they often overlap during diagnoses because individuals suffering from Bipolar disorder also experience some components of Depression, primarily was prevalent during their low moods.

It becomes confusing because most people experienced with bipolar type 2 would experience hypomania- a mild high mood often confused for happiness that would be mistaken for the lack of depression amongst individuals.

The overlap between Bipolar and Depression

Although there are symptoms shared by both disorders, individuals diagnosed with one or another differ mainly majorly in two main areas:

  • Episode lengths
  • Types Of Moods Experienced

Fun fact : Did you know Scientists have identified over 50 types of smiles – among them including fake smiles such as “pan am-grinning”?

What are the signs that you have Both Disorders?

At times it can be challenging to tell if an individual suffers from Both Bipolar Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder simultaneously, but here are few pointers on what could be manifested :

Symptoms
An extended period of sadness,(lasting more than two weeks)
Periods where energy levels seem unusually high
Hoping agitated easily.
Difficulty sleeping through the night
Feeling hopeless
Little motivation
Engaging continuously suicidal thoughts/ attempts

If any reader experiences these feelings listed above, we suggest they take time out to seek appropriate help via professionals.

Misconceptions about Bipolar disorder & Depression

Due to mass media stigmatization surrounding around mental illness globally! A big misconception is tying all mood shifting patterns resulting from stressors mostly encountered daily to illnesses like bipolarity!

Other common misconceptions include;

1) Only Creative People Are It:
Accurate individuals living daily life (such as accountants or investors)& not just synonymous with creative abilities unique artist traits like being a genius crafter isn’t accurate.

For example: In this linked article [https://www.psychiatryresearch.org/article/S0165-1781(18)31639-4/fulltext]), a study was cited to ascertain the distribution of creative jobs in persons with bipolar I disorder when compared to comparisons. Results showed no significant disparity between both sets.

2) Bipolar Disorder Is Rare:
Although it has been estimated that 5 million people are Diagnosed With modern bipolar disorder worldwide & approximately among them living In individual countries world over – this still does not adjust for under-reporting due to stigmatization; hence the present count remains imprecise and unlikely lower than anticipated!

3) The illness medication Destroys creativity!
Asides some several controversies surrounding various treatments, many successful individuals diagnosed have made great strides without trying alternative methods outside therapy/medications while achieving fantastic milestones

Fun fact: Despite being nearly blind during his lifetime, Beethoven composed most of his ideas after he started experiencing auditory hallucinations gave him melody inspiration for symphonies.

Treatment

Mental illnesses like depression and bipolarity can be treated! And do require prompt diagnosis by medical professionals failure resulting in increased severity!

  • Psychotherapy/Counseling
  • Medications such as SSRI’s (Antidepressants), Lithium etc.
  • Occupational Therapy might bring desired results depending on what stage the recovered person is at currently.

The ultimate goal after identifying that you’ve been positively diagnosed should be centered around seeking treatment immediately before it turns out more severe hence vital conversations through different forms ie friends family members or therapists should frequently take place while engaging healthcare experts along with preferred mode of treatment they deem effective.

To summarize, yes! You can indeed suffer from Bipolar Disorder and Depression simultaneously since they share similar symptoms regardless don’t become overly paranoid self-diagnosing instead reach out to mental health practitioners if needed. Asides misconceptions surround those suffering from either one listed above – educating yourselves about these conditions would go a long way towards better management/treatment encounters finally.

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