Bipolar Vs. Unipolar
Difference between Bipolar and Unipolar: – Bipolar and unipolar disorders are two conditions that commonly create confusion in more than one person due to the similarity of the terms and the relationship between them.
However, these two medical disorders differ greatly from one another.
If you have doubts or do not know the difference between Bipolar and Unipolar, continue reading, because then we tell you everything you need to know.
Difference between Bipolar and Unipolar
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder is a condition characterized by people experiencing intense mood swings.
Someone with bipolar disorder can be extremely happy in a moment and quickly fall into depression.
These mood swings occur very quickly, they can occur in a few minutes.
Bipolar disorder is equally common in men and women whose ages range between 15 and 25 years and it is not known for sure what the cause of it may be,
although it is often attributed to negative or very strong changes in life, mismanagement of certain medications, lack of sleep, and use of recreational drugs.
There are three types of bipolar disorders:
- Bipolar Disorder Type 1,
- Bipolar Disorder Type 2
- Cyclothymiacs.
In the first case it is typical for people to experience at least one manic episode and long periods of depression.
In the second case you never suffer from complete mania, but you experience high levels of energy and impulsivity that then give way to sadness and then to depression.
Finally, Cyclothymiacs is a mild form of bipolar disorder which is characterized by the fact that people only experience small, non-dangerous mood swings.
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can last for minutes, days and even months, and include:
- lack of attention and concentration,
- drowsiness, lack of self-control,
- dangerous behavior,
- exaggerated energy, fatigue,
- loss of appetite,
- loss of pleasure for certain activities,
- low self-esteem,
- suicidal thoughts,
Unipolar Disorder
Unipolar depression is a disorder that is characterized by those who suffer from episodes of low energy, low self-esteem, loss of interest, among other symptoms.
It is also known as clinical depression and is a disorder considered as a severe depression because the periods of decay are greater than those experienced in cases of normal depression.
This type of problem affects the school, family and personal life of patients. In addition, it can lead to suicide.
Symptoms of unipolar depression range from changes in sleep and eating habits, changes in behavior, altered personal relationships, feelings of worthlessness, feelings of guilt or regret, hopelessness, and self-loathing.
More severe cases include these same symptoms and also allusions, isolation, lack of sexual desire and anxiety.
Unlike bipolar disorder, in this case there are no episodes of mania.
It can be caused by a large number of factors, including social, psychological, genetic, and biological factors.
In DSM-IV, unipolar depression has 5 subtypes
- melancholic depression,
- atypical depression,
- catatonic depression,
- postpartum depression,
- seasonal affective disorder.
