That is true I did the same thing and freaked when the doc said I was bipolar until I found out they are the same!

yep yep...

although the research I was doing early this wk said that some people are now going back to calling it Manic Depression, simply because it describes the disorder better. So, I guess it could be called both.

yea i'ne noticed that as well my first exprience with a manic i was sixteen or so a girlfriends dad and now looking at it all it's a common issue some people know some don't
m2

yep this is true

That scares me to be honest with you all. My best friend in the whole world has BiPolar and she has a rough time alot! I am not on medication and Im sure it would help. do any of youhave any advice on how to approach this with my doctor? I have just started seing her and I don't know if she would take me seriously.

Some people have worse episodes than others, so don't be scared. it doesn't mean you're a nutjob.

Just tell your dr that you were diagnosed with Manic Depressive Disorder. Tell him/her about any symptoms that you may be having...and see what he/she suggests. You can always say no to a suggested treament if you're uncomfortable with it. If they're any kind of a decent dr, they'll take you seriously and look into it. If not, find a different doctor!

I have noticed that my symptoms are getting worse as I get older. Is this a normal thing?

I'm not a dr, so I can't be positive and say for sure. From what I've just recently researched, yes...if it's untreated. From my own experience, hell yes...it's gotten worse without treatment as I've aged. But that would be the same with any illness! If you had lung cancer, and you had no treatment whatsoever, it'd get worse with age.
My advice...talk to your dr ASAP! Like I said, if they're worth their diploma, they'll take you seriously! :)

I have been treated for depression for 9 years and finally I have been diagnosed with bipolar. I hate the name and don't want to tell people b/c all the negative conotations associated with it. I think Manic-Depressive Disorder sounds nicer and better describes it! I can also say that my depression episodes have gotten much worse since I've gotten older and I was only diagnosed because my antidepressants weren't working. I don't have the manic episodes really... so I was hard to diagnose. But it has definately gotten worse and I'm thankful to be correctly diagnosed after 9 long years.

i did not want to believe my doc, it took about a month for him to convince me.

there is Unipolar (depression), and BiPolar (manic/depression) and withing bipolar there are different categories.

some people have these manic episodes where they can't stop & then fall into a depression. then there are some who (like me BP2) who have short elated episodes, followed by mostly depressive episodes.

i have been learning SOOOOOOOO much lately. :)

Yes. And it sounds so much better, don't you think?

and there is even more that one type of bp.

i'm bp2 - milder form, involving milder episodes of hypomania that alternate with depression

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-forms

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=54&ContentID=23037&lstid=325

I think I'm BP2 as well...

I do have rapid cycles between my hypomania and my depression, tho...is that still included in Bp2??

thanks for the links. I had a good look and it helps. I guess I have a lot of reading to do.

You are the same person you were before your doctor said the word "Bipolar" - you just now have a term to help you get the proper treatment. The term does not change you. I freaked when my doctor told me I was bipolar because I was told I was depressed for 18yrs and bipolar is what my crazy Grandmother and aunts suffered from - only it was called Manic Depression back then. One of my aunts killed herself in 1978. With this news of my new diagnosis (term) - I learned about the bipolar spectrum. Bipolar, Bipolar 2, Cyclothymia and Rapid Cycling. My family was Bipolar and I am Bipolar 2. Understanding the spectrum helped me a great deal. It is just a term...and I am getting the proper help...FINALLY - because the past 18years (really more like 28 yrs) of falling under the "depressed" term...did not work. The other good news, meds and treatment is MUCH better then it was when it was called Manic Depression. Good luck.