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The real difference between depression and bi-polar disorder lies in the experience of the sufferer. Depression is characterized by feelings of extreme sadness that can last for extended periods of time. These feelings usually interfere with daily functioning and our ability to enjoy life.

Depression can be categorized in one of three ways: mild; moderate and severe. The symptoms of depression are typified by a general lowering of energy levels; perhaps weight loss or gain; a reduction in libido; change in appetite and usually early morning wakening. The symptoms also include a deep feeling of unhappiness and discontentment usually unwarranted. It can affect an individual on an emotional, physical and intellectual level. As a result, feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and failure. There is a tendency to catastrophise: to exaggerate any errors made. In extreme cases individuals require help with the most basic of tasks such as washing or feeding their condition makes the effort of daily tasks seem insurmountable. The mood is flat in the extreme.

In contrast, Bi-polar depression (sometimes referred to as Manic-depressive illness) is so called because the mood of sufferers varies between mania and depression. This means that the sufferer will have periods, or episodes of depression (feeling very low and flat as above) and mania (feeling very up and high). The two extremes of bipolar disorder are characterized by something more than simple mood swings. Each episode can last for weeks, sometimes longer. The highs and lows can be extreme and can interfere with daily life and functioning. The way bipolar disorder is experienced by individuals varies enormously. Some will have few episodes throughout their lives, whilst for others it may be a constant battle.

As a depressive illness, the depression part of the cycle of bi-polar illness often comes first. It is not unusual for individuals to be diagnosed with depression, but then have a manic episode some years later which changes the original diagnosis.
During a manic phase, bi-polar sufferers may feel supremely happy and have lots of ambitious ideas and/or plans. They may also spend copious amounts of money, usually inappropriately. The elevated mood can lead to insomnia or weight loss (through not eating). They may appear visably hyper by: talking quickly, and/or becoming annoyed easily. They may also be very creative during this phase and as such the manic phase can be viewed as very positive. However, during a manic phase, you may also have symptoms of psychosis, where you see or hear things that are not there.
So, to sum up the difference from the material presented above, we can say that a depressive views life through shades of grey, where as the bi-polar experience has shades of grey at one end of its spectrum with episodes of hyper psychedelic clarity at the other.

Learn more about this author, Laura Lytton.
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