Bipolar vs depression, what is the difference?

There is a difference right?

I feel like I have both sometimes, is that possible?

Like I get mad really easy and one second im jolly and happy, and all of sudden i become mad and quiet. I have trouble concentrating, lack motivation and get ticked off the SMALLEST things, I am usually very grouchy and irritated. I have unusually high sexual energy where I am constantly with someone or on a solo mission (LOL). Also I have INTENSE AND I MEAN INTENSE urges to spend ALOT OF MONEY. I buy useless things, 2 days later, im bored. I just bough an iphone 3 days ago, and im bored of it now, and im probably going to buy the new iphone friday.

I am thinking thats bipolar but then there are these periods of time sometimes a few months in a year where i am just always depressed and nothing cheers me up, not even sex or really good things.

It sounds more like bi-polar disorder. People with bi-polar can have extreme manic and depressive phases. That is why it is also called manic depressive. Bi-polar disorder has a manic phase and depressive phase. You are most likely experiencing the depressive phase. My grandpa had bi-polar disorder. I never knew him because he committed suicide before I was born, but he had extreme fits of rage and depression. I'd go to the doctor though to get a proper diagnoses.

I have bipolar. It's sounds like alot of symptoms of bipolar but you don't have the periods where you stay up for days. (the manic stage) You won't know until you talk to a doctor. You have to be honest about everything.

Bipolar depression and unipolar depression may look very similar. These similarities often lead to bipolar depression being misdiagnosed, sometimes for years, before a person gets the correct diagnosis and thus the correct medicines for the condition.

What makes bipolar depression different from unipolar depression is that people with bipolar depression have had a manic episode in the past. Bipolar disorder has two main phases: a depressive phase (sometimes referred to as bipolar depression) and a manic phase.

People with unipolar depression have never experienced a manic episode.

If you're experiencing the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, you may feel sad and hopeless. Things you once enjoyed don't seem fun or interesting anymore. You may be sleeping too much or too little. Maybe you feel anxious or guilty.

People are more likely to talk to their doctor during this part of the illness because they feel so down. This is another reason why bipolar depression is so often mistaken for unipolar depression.

The manic phase of bipolar disorder (or bipolar mania) is very different. There might be times when you have lots of energy or don't need to sleep as much. You might talk quickly and have "crowded" thoughts. Maybe you plan lots of complicated projects. You might feel irritable and lose your temper easily. You might go on spending sprees or make reckless decisions.

Hope this helps!!

Ok I suffer from manic bipolar. Im almost 18 and have had it all my life. You probably it sounds like you have this disorder.
Also you are doing things to fill that depression or viod. Thats not going to do it. I advice you to try medications. I have been on every med under the sun. Nothing worked. Im on serequel which helps me sleep. It has been the only thing that gets me to bed. I know I also have tried things to fill my self or take my mind off of the pain. Im learning that even though meds have failed me, that prayer, and taking one day at a time, and striving for my goal, education, studies has helped me feel like i have hope. Dont look at the mountains. I know everything feels overwelming. Do peice by peice, dont take on a lot.

See a doctor but make sure hes not just a pill giver. i have had many doctors like thta. Find someone that will hear you out and then subscribe. if you need more info you can email me.
God bless.

It could be bipolar type II. See a psychiatrist, preferably one who specializes in mood disorders, for an evaluation. Just keep in mind that if you are diagnosed, it means meds for life. That's important since without treatment, it's a progressive illness and eventually your swings will become worse if you have it. If you are not prepared for life long meds, then getting the diagnosis only serves as an excuse for poor behavior and isn't worth the effort or cost. All that said, it is possible that you have some other stuff going on coupled with some depression. A good psychiatrist should be able to figure that out if it's the case.