Bipolar Disorder: The Roller Coaster Ride From Hell Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is often misdiagnosed, left untreated and misunderstood by the patient, family and friends. Its treatment varies among the different types of the disorder. The forms of Bipolar are characterized by symptoms of the patient and the symptoms are treated according to the patient’s needs. However, many symptoms are often misdiagnosed and untreated. This mistreatment or lack of treatment can lead to devastating results. However, proper treatment and support allows the patient to lead a fuller, more productive life. There are four main forms of bipolar disorder. The first form is Bipolar I disorder. Bipolar I is characterized by its episodes of mania (Fink 26). The second form is Bipolar II disorder. Bipolar II has some element of major depression mixed with an episode of hypomania (Fink 27). Often referred to as “Bipolar lite,” the third form is called Cyclothymic Disorder (Fink 27). It is referred to as Bipolar Lite because its symptoms are not as major as the other forms of Bipolar. The final form of Bipolar disorder is Bipolar NOS. Patients diagnosed with this form of Bipolar disorder have symptoms that do not fall into any other category of Bipolar disorder, hence the name Bipolar NOS, meaning Bipolar Not Otherwise Specified (Fink 28). The characteristics of Bipolar Disorder are major depression, mania, hypomania, and mixed mania (Fink 29). Burgess explains why it is called Bi-polar, “Bipolar refers to the two psychological states of mania and depression that are associated with the illness” (Burgess 1). According to the Merriam Webster’s dictionary, depression is defined as “a state of feeling sad or a psychoneurotic or psychotic disor... ... middle of paper ... ... Bipolar Support Alliance conducted a research study that indicated more than 2.5 million people suffer from Bipolar, also known as Manic Depression (Fawcett 3). The many faces of this illness is treated and stabilized with various types of medication and therapy. Furthermore, the family of the patient most likely will benefit from seeking therapy in their effort to help the patient with stabilization and living with this illness. All involved in the patient’s life is valuable in this process. Strategies for recovery include medication, visits with psychiatrists and other medical providers as needed, psychotherapy and support from family. These strategies can help people live with this illness affectively. No matter the type, Bipolar is a sickness and should be looked at and treated as such. People are much more than their illness and should be treated accordingly.
Bipolar Disorder (Formerly known as Manic Depression) is a mental illness linked to alterations in moods such as mood swings, mania, and depression. There is more than one type, Bipolar I and Bipolar II, and the subcategories are divided by the severity of the symptoms seen, such as cyclothymic disorder, seasonal mood changes, rapid cycling disorder and psychosis. Age of onset usually occurs between 15-30 years old with an average onset of 25 years old but it can affect all ages. (Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital , 2013) Bipolar disorder affects more than two million people in the United States every year. (Gardner, 2011)
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mood disorder characterized by periods of mania, depression, or a mixed manic-depressive state. The condition can seriously affect a person’s reasoning, understanding, awareness, and behavior. Acco...
The characteristics of bipolar disorder are significant shifts in mood that go from manic episodes to deep depressive episodes in a up and down trip that seemingly never ends. There are actually three types of bipolar disorder. In bipolar III disorder there is a family history of mania or hypomania in addition to the client experiencing depressive episodes. This category is not highly used but is worth noting. Bipolar II disorder is marked by hypomanic episodes that have not required hospitalization. Bipolar I disorder is the full-blown illness and is defined by the presence of manic episodes which require treatment, and usually hospitalization (Wilner 44).
Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function.
There is a list of criteria’s and depending on the duration of the symptoms, that is how one gets diagnosed with BD. There is no clear idea as to how many types of bipolar disorders exist, but bipolar disorder type I, bipolar disorder type II, bipolar disorder NOS (not otherwise specified), and cyclothymic disorder are the most common. Mos...
Ultimately, although bipolar disorder has been one of the most misconceived mental illnesses throughout history, it has palpably progressed. From its early origins and beliefs that it was caused by demonic possession, to involuntary lobotomies and electroshock therapy, it has become a disorder that is sufficiently treated comprehensively with medication and support and understanding (HelpGuide. (2012). Despite the fact that the exact causes of this illness are still not entirely known and clear, clinicians are continuously conducting research that will aid in the proper diagnosis and ultimately a more concise and increasingly more effective means of treating and controlling the symptoms. The medical field will continue to seek ways to counteract and hopefully one day completely cure the disorder all together.
Bipolar disorder not only affects the person living with it but the the people closest to them. It can be stressful on the family. It may also be difficult being the parent of a child with bipolar. As a family member or close friend learning to cope with the mood and behavior can be very helpful. Make sure to not take care of the loved one but take care of self too is important to manage bipolar disorder.
Modimore, Francis Mark. Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for Patients and Families. John Hopkins U. P., 1999
To begin, many people don’t understand what bipolar disorder is. It is commonly understood as mood shifts; however, it is so much more than that. First, Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that affect the individual emotionally. According to an article “Bipolar Disorder” written by the WebMD, “Bipolar Disorder is a long-term chemical imbalance that causes rapid changes in mood and behavior.” It is more fulfilling to learn ...
Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression disorder, may cause unusual changes in mood and behavior such as grandiosity, decreased energy, distractibility, diminished interest, insomnia, pressured speech, suicidal thoughts, and decrease in the ability to carry out day to day tasks (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; 5th Ed.; DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013). According to Jann (2014) the symptoms of bipolar disorders are severe alternating between normal ups and downs leading in damaged relationships, poor job and school performance, and even suicide among the most severe. There are four types of bipolar disorder which include bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, bipolar disorder not otherwise specified, and cyclothymic disorder Jann (2014).
The clinical information discussed throughout the paper is taken from the textbook Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach, and this will be listed as a source in the bibliography. For bipolar disorder the key characters are the tendency of manic episodes that alternate with major depressive disorders. This type of disorder can be described as a never-ending roller coaster ride where the person experiences pure euphoria and energy to someone dealing with crippling despair. It is this dichotomy of emotion that encapsulates the experience of someone with bipolar disorder; however, there are two different subcategories of bipolar disorder. The criteria for bipolar I disorder are an alternation with major depressive episodes with full manic episode. In contrast, bipolar II disorder is similar to bipolar I disorder with the exception of hypomanic episodes instead of full manic
bipolar disorder - a brain disorder that has changes in the human state of mind, energy, action, and the ability to carry out tasks.
Bipolar disorder is the condition in which one’s mood switches from periods of extreme highs known as manias to periods of extreme lows known as depression. The name bipolar comes from the root words bi (meaning two) and polar (meaning opposite) (Peacock, 2000). Though often bipolar disorder is developed in a person’s late teens to early adulthood; bipolar disorder’s early symptoms can sometimes be found in young children or may develop later on in life (National Institutes of, 2008). Bipolar disorder has been found to affect both men and women equally. Currently the exact cause of bipolar disorder is not yet known, however it has been found to occur most often in the relatives of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder (National Center for, 2010).
Bipolar Disorder is a serious and complicated mood disorder characterized by abnormal fluctuations between an individual’s high and low moods. Mania, Depression, Hypomania and Mixed Episodes are the predominant moods that can be identified in the different forms of Bipolar Disorder (GlaxoSmithKlein, 2007). The etiology, symptomology, and treatment for each mood and form of Bipolar Disorder vary as well. Moods can be identified by a person’s level of happiness, sadness, outlook on life and how he may physically feel (Mondimore, 2006). Patients struggling with Bipolar Disorder have difficulty regulating the euphoric highs of mania, the “black hole” feelings of depression, the “softer side” of hypomania and the incessant cycling of Mixed Episodes. With so many different forms of this mood disorder, Bipolar Disorder can be difficult to recognize and treat.
Bipolar disorder can be a very debilitating, very lonely disease. With proper treatment and effective medications, many patients will be able to live long, productive and normal lives.