Bipolar disorder and Multiple Sclerosis MS

Bipolar disorder occurs in patients with multiple sclerosis in significantly higher rates compared to the general population and more than one would statistically expect so some connection between MS and Bipolar seems possible.

It is known that the MS causes changes to the white matter of the brain which is also the case with mania but whether the origin and the chain of events leading to MS and Bipolar are similar is unlikely.

Multiple sclerosis is a long term disorder that affects the nervous system. It is an autoimmune disorder. Something triggers the immune system into treating the nerve coverings as unwelcome foreign invaders which need to be progressively attacked.

It is not uncommon for multiple sclerosis patients to suffer clinical depression or anxiety. General indicators of possible depression like acute tiredness, trouble sleeping, loss of interest  in previously pleasurable activities, lack of concentration and a slowing of reactions are also symptomatic of MS fatigue so signs of depression are not always obvious in some patients.

Bipolar disorder is also long term but this is a psychiatric condition in which depressed mood alternates with manic episodes. However mania is not solely indicative of severe psychotic disorders like manic depression.  Treatments with steroids can result in drug induced mania. 

Bi-polar affective disorder or 'manic depression' is far less common than clinical depression in people with MS