How Does Major Depression Relate to Bipolar Depression and Dysthymic Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Mania is having the opposite picture to depression for at least a week (for ex­ample, high energy, fast speech, elated mood, involvement in reckless activities), some­times accompanied by feelings of grandiosity (being better than everyone else). It occurs in a subgroup of depressed teens, and is also known as "bipolar illness" or "bipolar affective disorder." In bipolar illness, episodes of depression and episodes of mania both occur at different times. Between episodes, the teen may appear normal and function well. It is important to tell your child's doctor if there is a family history of mania as well as depression, as this may affect the treatment plan. (For example, the choice of medication is sometimes different with this information.)

There is a genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder. If the teen has an immediate family member diagnosed with bipolar, there is about a 4.5 percent chance of the child getting bipolar disorder and about a 14 percent chance of getting major depression.

In teens and children, bipolar disorder is sometimes difficult to distinguish from AD/HD and other childhood disorders. Therefore, it requires a thorough diagnostic assessment, and sometimes further assessment of mood patterns over time, before the diagnosis is clear.

Because teens who are manic can engage in dangerous activities and/or lose their perspective on reality, have your teen see a doctor immediately if you think she has this problem. The approach described in this book is not suitable for helping teens overcome manic states. The approach can still be used, however, to help these teens with their depressed states.

Dysthymic Disorder

Dysthymic disorder or dysthymia (pronounced "dis-THI-me-uh) is a type of depression that is less severe than major depression. It is characterized by long-term chronic symptoms that keep individuals from functioning with usual energy levels and from feeling good. There are fewer physical symptoms than with major depression, but more emo­tional symptoms such as gloomy thoughts and low mood (Kaufman, 2000). Sometimes people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes, so it is worth watching for signs that this is happening. If a major depressive episode is occurring, the teen's moods will be clearly worse than usual and she will experience more physical symptoms than usual.



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