Depression vs bipolar depression

Hi,

This is a question I've been asking myself for a long time. I've been close to several persons with bipolar disorder throughout my life. All of them had, what I consider, a terrible childhood.

So my question is, how do you guys tell the difference between bipolar depression and anhedonia, apathy from childhood neglect?

I get anedonia and apathy a lot, but don't consider that anywhere near my bipolar depression. I've actually been off the forum a lot lately due to being in a depressive cycle at the moment. Thankfully I recognize it for what it is, rather than simply assuming my world is falling apart around me like my brain is basically trying to convince me.

For me it's one of the rare times I don't have apathy. I care too much about everything going on, and feel I have little to no control over it. I feel an irrational paranoia about others and their expectations of me during this time too. It takes a massive toll on me and I often feel incredibly weak and drained of physical and mental energy during this time.

I've often become very irrational, and felt guilt over things I know aren't my fault though my brain won't shut up about it. Though I'm not suicidal, I often get thoughts of suicide and other disturbing intrusive thoughts in these times.

Often enough because of these paranoid and guilty thoughts, I completely lose touch with reality and develop what's called "psychotic depression" which is so bad for me that I normally have severe memory problems involving it.

There is a genetic link with bipolar, so that could somewhat explain the childhoods you described. If their parents say weren't on meds or constantly on the wrong rx like my dad...it could be difficult to be around as a kid.

TheCastleOf wrote:Hi,

This is a question I've been asking myself for a long time. I've been close to several persons with bipolar disorder throughout my life. All of them had, what I consider, a terrible childhood.

So my question is, how do you guys tell the difference between bipolar depression and anhedonia, apathy from childhood neglect?

Bipolar depression can be treated with meds and it will go away with the right medication, throughout my life experiences. I had a terrible childhood, yet I feel fine and happy when I am completely stable. No depression or anhedonia.

Childhood neglect or apathy can cause depression in my opinion, but it can also be helped through medication and through being removed from a toxic situation (possibly), but bipolar can come with different mood swings in extreme forms. Depression at different levels or Hypomania or Mania where there can either be manic behavior in and all depression is gone. Just my thoughts. I'm no expert, it's all from what I go through and what my psychiatrist either confirms or explains.

Bipolar depression cycles... One moment you might be down about your childhood, but the next you think it's laughable, or you'll be in a rage about it, and then you'll crash again later.

Apathy from childhood neglect doesn't cycle. It also doesn't respond to medication.
You can be a cheery apathetic person, yes, but the apathy caused by trauma doesn't go away, no matter what you take.

Thx for your input guys, I really appreciate it.

Rev678 wrote:Bipolar depression cycles... One moment you might be down about your childhood, but the next you think it's laughable, or you'll be in a rage about it, and then you'll crash again later.

Apathy from childhood neglect doesn't cycle. It also doesn't respond to medication.
You can be a cheery apathetic person, yes, but the apathy caused by trauma doesn't go away, no matter what you take.

This is actually really well explained!

In my experience depressive cycles consist of a lot of self hate (which can be triggered by the apathy of previous experience as mentioned by quietgirl2538) whereas when not in the depressed cycle it is more focused on the experience and you can see it more objectively in some way rather than blaming yourself or getting angry and cycling through emotions. I don't know that's just my opinion it's probably different from person to person anyways