Grappling with depression can be a difficult, lonely experience. It’s crucial to recognize the different types of depression and how they can affect your life and health. Unipolar depression (also known as major depressive disorder) is characterized by an extended period of sadness and lack of motivation that extends over two weeks or more. Bipolar depression (or bipolar disorder) is marked by extreme highs and lows in energy, mood, and activity levels.
In this article, we’ll explore the similarities and differences between unipolar and bipolar depression. We’ll discuss the causes, symptoms, treatments, and outlooks of each condition so that you can better understand your own experience with depression.
What is Unipolar Depression?
First and foremost, unipolar depression is characterized by an extended period of low mood and lack of motivation. It is also referred to as major depressive disorder, recurrent depression, or clinical depression. During this period, people often experience a range of symptoms such as:
• Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
• Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disturbances
• Changes in appetite
• Irritability and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Unipolar depression or major depressive disorder is commonly treated with a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes. Although the exact cause of unipolar depression is unknown, research suggests that a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors may play a role.
What Causes Unipolar Depression?
The exact cause of unipolar depression is not yet known, but research suggests that a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors may be at play. Biological factors can include genetics or chemical imbalances in the brain. Psychological factors include unresolved issues from childhood or other traumatic experiences. Environmental factors may include stressful life events or a lack of meaningful relationships.
What is Bipolar Depression?
Bipolar depression, also known as manic depressive disorder, is characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression. During a manic phase, people may feel unusually energized, creative and confident. People with manic symptoms might report feeling good but not recognize the negative symptoms. However, mania leads to a decreased need for sleep, excessive spending and risky sexual behaviors. During a depressive phase, people may experience similar symptoms to those of unipolar depression.
Bipolar disorder is typically treated with medication and psychotherapy. It is important to note that the treatments for bipolar disorder are sometimes different than those for unipolar depression, as bipolar disorder requires medications that can help stabilize moods to the volatility of manic episodes and depressive episodes.
What causes bipolar depression?
The exact cause of bipolar depression or bipolar disorder is not known, but it’s thought to be related to brain chemistry. Factors such as genetics and environmental stressors can also play a role in the development of the disorder. In addition, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of sleep, and substance abuse can contribute to the onset or worsen of a depressive episode in bipolar depression.
Related: What Causes Mental Illness?
So, What’s the Difference Between Unipolar and Bipolar Depression?
The main difference between unipolar and bipolar depression is the presence of manic symptoms and manic episodes. Although they are both a type of mood disorder, bipolar depression is characterized by only depressive symptoms, whereas bipolar disorder involves mood episodes that oscillate between manic episodes and depressive episodes. This means that while people with unipolar depression experience depressive episodes of periods of low mood, those with bipolar disorder may experience an up-and-down cycle between mania and depression.
How Are They Diagnosed?
To diagnose unipolar depression, a doctor will perform a psychiatric evaluation to assess the patient’s emotions and behavior as well as their family history. Patients who show signs of unipolar depression may feel persistently depressed or discouraged, experience loss of pleasure or interest in activities they used to enjoy, have difficulty sleeping or oversleeping, have low energy and lack of motivation, and engage in self-deprecating thoughts or feelings. People with major depressive disorder may experience a major depressive episode marked by particularly low feelings. Major depression is one of the most diagnosed mental disorders in the country.
In contrast, to unipolar depression, bipolar depression and bipolar disorder often have more severe depressive episodes and forms of depressive symptoms that include alternating episodes of mania (highs) and depression (lows). During bipolar disorder manic episodes, patients may experience extreme elation, inflated self-esteem, grandiose ideas, increased activity levels and energy, rapid speech, decreased need for sleep, and impulsiveness. During bipolar disorder depressive episodes, patients may experience feelings of despair and hopelessness, inability to concentrate, loss of interest in activities they once found enjoyable, fatigue, slowed thinking or movement, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, appetite changes; and social withdrawal.
How Are They Treated?
When it comes to treatment for bipolar disorder and unipolar depression, there are several options available that can help address the underlying causes as well as calm a major depressive episode. For both bipolar and unipolar depression, medication is often prescribed to help manage depressive symptoms such as low moods, lack of energy, and difficulty sleeping. Psychotherapy can also be helpful in addressing underlying issues that contribute to depression and helping the patient learn how to cope with their emotions in better ways.
It’s also essential to keep in mind that depression is a complex illness, and it can take time for treatments to start working. It’s important to stick with any treatment plan prescribed by your psychiatrist, even if progress is slow at first. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, healthy eating habits, and social support can help improve symptoms of depression.
What Are Alternative Treatment Options Available for These Forms of Depression?
In addition to traditional forms of treatment, there are also alternative options available for treating depression. These include mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga, aromatherapy or essential oils, acupuncture, herbal remedies, and light therapy. While these treatments may not be as effective for more severe cases of depression, they can provide relief from milder symptoms and help to promote emotional balance.
Another highly effective treatment for depression includes transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
What is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)?
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a form of treatment that uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain associated with mood regulation. During TMS, a device called a coil is placed against the scalp near the forehead. The coil produces magnetic pulses that pass through the skull and stimulate the prefrontal cortex, which is thought to be involved in mood regulation.
TMS has been used to treat depression that does not respond to other forms of treatment, such as medication and psychotherapy. TMS can help to reset the electrical activity in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression. Unlike medications, TMS is a non-invasive, non-systemic treatment that targets the brain directly with little to no side effects. Plus, TMS is covered by most insurance for unipolar depression.
What is Ketamine Therapy?
Designated as a ‘breakthrough therapy’ by the FDA, ketamine can rapidly—often within an hour or two—lift the symptoms of anxiety, major depressive disorder, PTSD, OCD, and other conditions. After a short series of repeated doses, this effect typically extends out for weeks to months. Given as an infusion into the bloodstream, IV ketamine is FDA-approved as an anesthetic and used off-label to treat mood and chronic pain disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, and even substance abuse.
Ketamine therapy works by targeting certain areas of the brain that are involved in depression. It is believed to have the potential to reset neural pathways and restore balance in the brain, leading to an improvement in mental health.
Depression Treatment in California
In conclusion, understanding the differences between unipolar and bipolar depression is key to receiving the right treatment. While there are many similarities between unipolar depression and bipolar depression, their treatments can vary greatly. It’s important to work with a doctor or mental health professional to determine the best course of action for your particular situation. With the right combination of therapy, medication, and other treatments, it is possible to manage the symptoms associated with unipolar or bipolar depression and lead a healthier, more balanced life.
At Neuro Wellness, we provide comprehensive mental health services including psychotherapy, medication management, and TMS therapy to help our clients manage their symptoms and lead a better life. Our experienced team of psychiatrists and clinicians is dedicated to providing the highest level of care in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
If you or someone you know is struggling with major depression, bipolar spectrum disorder, or another form of mood disorder, please contact us today for more information about our depression treatment services and to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you on your journey toward a brighter tomorrow.