When I was younger (now 45) my father was diagnosed as having Manic Depression. And I remember hearing and seeing the term "Manic Depression" regularly. Today I see the term Biploar used frequently, but don't hear people refer to Manic Depression very much. Is there a difference between the two, or are the two terms really referring to the same thing.....is it just a terminology thing that has changed over the years?
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Q: Bipolar vs. Manic Depression: Are these the same thing or are they two different illnesses.?
Answers (2)
3/29/09 12:55pm
Greg,
As Pat said, Manic Depression is the older term for bipolar disorder. We have a site dedicated to bipolar disorder. Visit BipolarConnect.com.
Teri
3/29/09 12:14am
The term "manic-depressive illness" or psychosis was coined by German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin in the late nineteenth century, originally referring to all kinds of mood disorder. German psychiatrist Karl Leonhard split the classification again in 1957, employing the terms unipolar disorder (Major depressive disorder) and bipolar disorder.
Pat
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By Greg— Last Modified: 12/22/10, First Published: 03/28/09
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