How do I know if Im bipolar or just depressed?

People who suffer with depression might have some days that are better than others. But without proper treatment, their mood tends to remain low. Bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic depression) is different. If you have it, you have extreme mood swings.

What are typical bipolar symptoms of depression?

Symptoms – Bipolar disorder

• feeling sad, hopeless or irritable most of the time.
• lacking energy.
• difficulty concentrating and remembering things.
• loss of interest in everyday activities.
• feelings of emptiness or worthlessness.
• feelings of guilt and despair.
• feeling pessimistic about everything.
• self-doubt.

Can bipolar be mistaken for depression?

As a consequence, Schwartz says, those with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having depression and may be given inappropriate treatment. “When bipolar disorder is missed, people can be put on medication that actually worsens the manic symptoms,” Schwartz says.

Is bipolar worse than depression?

The behavioral data revealed that when the participants were feeling normal (not depressed), those with bipolar disorder were much worse at regulating both happy and sad emotions than those with depression. But when they were feeling depressed, the bipolar patients were actually better at regulating happy emotions.

How often is bipolar depression misdiagnosed?

According to Drs. Tanvir Singh and Muhammad Rajput, 69% of people with bipolar disorder are initially misdiagnosed with another mental health disorder, most commonly unipolar depression. More than 30% of those remain misdiagnosed for 10 years or more and the average patient remains misdiagnosed for 5.7-7.5 years.

What can mimic bipolar?

Some non-psychiatric illnesses, such as thyroid disease, lupus, HIV, syphilis, and other infections, may have signs and symptoms that mimic those of bipolar disorder. This can pose further challenges in making a diagnosis and determining the treatment.

Is caffeine bad for bipolar?

Caffeine is an underappreciated bipolar trigger and can also impair sleep, he says, which can be particularly problematic because sleep deprivation is a notorious trigger for bipolar mood swings and mania.

How do you test for bipolar depression?

A bipolar disorder diagnosis is made only by taking careful note of symptoms, including their severity, length, and frequency. “Mood swings” from day to day or moment to moment do not necessarily indicate a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

How do I know if I am bipolar?

Whenever you feel down,have sudden and constant changes of mood or you notice some severe or depressive symptoms of mania,go to see a specialist.

What is the difference between bipolar and depression?

Extreme sadness or depressed mood

What are the symptoms of bipolar depression?

Depression