Bipolar Disorder: Aretaeus Of Cappadocia

The severe mood fluctuations of bipolar or manic-depressive disorders have been around since the 16-century and affect little more than 2% of the population in both sexes, all races, and all parts of the world (Harmon 3). Researchers think that the cause is genetic, but it is still unknown. The one fact of which we are painfully aware of is that bipolar disorder severely undermines its victims ability to obtain and maintain social and occupational success. Because the symptoms of bipolar disorder are so debilitation, it is crucial that we search for possible treatments and cures.

Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression disorder/illness can be defined in many ways. One definition is a mood disorder in which a person swings back and forth between wild euphoria and frenetic bursts of energy (the manic phase) to such deep, dark, and overwhelming depression that a person may contemplate or attempt suicide. (Hirshkowitz & Smith, 2004, p. 107) This illness/disorder seems to affect both men and women in about equal numbers and can get increasingly worse if left undiagnosed or even untreated.

The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is not exact. Since there is no physiological test for the disease an assessment must be made physiologically. This is done through the administration of behavioral assessment tests, use of scales, basis of symptoms, course of illness and family history. The diagnosis can be tricky especially when it comes to bipolar II disorder. Many with the disease are misdiagnosed w...

It is generally understood that everyone has good and bad days. A phrase people are familiar with is "everyone has their ups and downs". Most people, to a certain extent, are able to control their moods, whether it is good or bad. However, people who suffer from bipolar disorder sometimes are unable to control their moods. People with bipolar disorder experience sudden and, at times, severe mood swings, shifting from manic to depressive moods. Bipolar disorder is not gender bias; both men and women are equally susceptible to it (3). About 1% of adults and children suffer from bipolar disorder, but this figure is probably not accurate because bipolar disorder is difficult to detect and is often misdiagnosed. The misdiagnosis often leads to the mistreatment of the disease (1).

Marneros, A. (2000). Bipolar Disorders: roots and evolution. Bipolar disorders 100 years after manic-depressive insanity. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers. 1-4.

A case study is one of the most useful ways of comparing and understanding disorders. This study involves a thirty-eight-year-old man who was forced by a judge to be examined by a mental health professional for the client’s radical changes in behavior. Upon completion of a thorough examination, the signs and symptoms of the client correlated with a diagnosis of bipolar disease. In the review of all the data collected from the client upon admission and observation of behavior during the stay at the Park Place Rehabilitation Facility, the mental health professionals are able to understand the disease, put a treatment into place and observe for positive changes in behavior. The treatment of bipolar disease as many other mental diseases is a trial and error, in the beginning of

Bipolar disorder was previously known as mania or manic depressive disorder until around 1980. It was recognized as a disorder sometime around the second century. However, it was not until 1650 when Richard Burton wrote the book, The Anatomy of Melancholia, that put together mania and depression that it was seen as a real problem. Bipolar disorder is characterized by a combination of depression, or feeling low or sad, and mania, which is extreme happiness. It includes mood swings ranging from anger and anxiety to being overly excited. The behavior varies over spans of time. More than four million people in the United States have been diagnosed and include men, women, and children, and 25 percent experience symptoms off and on during their life. Bipolar disorder can be diagnosed and is treatable. It is important to recognize the symptoms and identify the appropriate treatment because of the serious complications associated in absence of treatment. Bipolar disorder can be managed, and those with the disorder can lead productive lives in society.

Bipolar disorder is perhaps one of the most tragic mood disorders today, because it virtually taunts with the affected person's mind. Bipolar disorder also known as manic depressive disorder is a mental condition in which the person alternates between feelings of mania and depression. These feeling are extreme opposites, and thus create tremendous mental and physical stress on the person affected. This unfortunate disorder affects one to two percent of the adult population. Before bipolar disorder can b e fully understood, the two main mood stages must first be identified. During an endless bout with bipolar disorder, a person experiences many stages of mania and depressiion. Different symptoms of mania included an increase in energy or activity, rapid speech, excessive excitement, extreme irritability and distractibility, a decrease in the amount of sleep needed, uncommonly poor judgment, or increased sex drive, denial, overspending, and high risk behavior. All of these symptoms may not be prevalent in a bipolar disorder patient, however, the more severe the case, the more likely all symptoms may occur. A depressed episode includes the opposite characteristics, including a persistent sad or empty feeling, decreased energy, loss of interest in activities normally enjoyed, difficulty concentrating, change in appetite or body weight, and thoughts of suicide. There are also two less severe stages in bipolar disorder a patient may go through, which are mixed episodes and hypomanic episodes. A mixed episode contains characteristics of both manic and depressive stages occurring at the same time. Mixed episodes are the most difficult to treat, because different types of medicines are necessary for mania. A hypomanic episode is characterized by less severe, less constraining symptoms of mania. Doctors often overlook hypomanic episodes. When a person experiences a combination of four episodes within a year the person is considere to be going through rapid cycling. Often times, patients need combinations of drugs, which take a while to deciper, so it often takes about a month to find the correct prescription for somone.

In today’s society there are many different psychological disorders that people face on a daily basis. Often times the individuals know they even have the disorder until someone else recognizes it. One particular disorder is the Bipolar disorder. It has many different classifications and definitions, symptoms, and treatments. It is very inportant to notice this disorder in its beginning stages so it can be controlled.

Mood disorders are complex and there are not any simple solutions. They affect people from every race, social and cultural background and economic status. Mood disorders can have profound effects on families as well as those afflicted, but there is hope. According to Craddock and Jones (1999) “It is however, almost certain over the next few years bipolar susceptibility genes will be identified. This will have a major impact of disease pathophysiology and will provide important opportunities to investigate the interactions between genetics and environmental factors”.

Of all psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder is the most common, affecting between one and two million Americans (Spearing). While it affects males and females equally, there are a few distinctions that can be made about those who do have it. Amongst men, early onset bipolar disorder is more frequent while there is higher rate of rapid cycling, mixed states, and cyclothymia in women (Wurztel 28-31). Also, according to one survey, an estimated 59% of bipolar patients experienced their first symptoms when they were children or adolescents (Harakas G2). Studies show that bipolar disorder occurs in 1% of all age groups (Bipolar Survivor). Evanston Northwestern Hospital claims, “There is some indication that the incidence of bipolar disorder may be increasing.”

The causes of bipolar disease vary between individuals. Available research indicates that genetic courses account for up to 90% of the reported cases (Fagiolini et al., 2013). It indicates there is a strong connection to hereditary components. Studies interested in genetics reveal the cause of this medical condition manifests in the candidate and chromosomal regions. The connection has currency because the regions are the main areas where the disease occurs. The disease tends to manifest in families, and research shows some people are likely to develop the disease more than others. For instance, children with a sibling or parent who suffers from bipolar disorder are likely to contract the disease more than those who from a family without a history of the disease. However, this does not mean that children from a family with the disease must develop it.