Bipolar disorder affects over 4.4%, or ten million people in the United States, and 2.4% of people worldwide according to the National Alliance on Mental Illnesses (Nordqvist, 2014, What is bipolar disorder section, para. 3). According to Comer (2013), bipolar disorder is defined as a psychological state in which a person experiences radical changes in mood including both the lows of depression and the highs of mania (p. 244). Not only does bipolar disorder affect mood, but it also affects energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day to day tasks. It can affect relationships and school performance, and in some cases, it may even lead to suicide. It is normal for everyone to go through ups and downs from time to time, but the symptoms of bipolar disorder are much more severe. Because of this, bipolar disorder is not easy to diagnose and many people suffer for years before actually being diagnosed. It is a long term illness that usually starts in late teens or early adulthood, but symptoms may develop in childhood or later in life for others (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2009, What is bipolar disorder section, para. 1). Bipolar disorder, however, is treatable and patients are able to lead productive lives and perform well with the proper care, management, and medication (Nordqvist, 2014, What is bipolar disorder section, para. 2). Even though the causes of bipolar disorder are not clearly defined, it would not be inaccurate to state that heredity and genetics may play an important role in the occurrence of the disorder. People who have a blood relative that has bipolar disorder are more likely to develop the disorder themselves. (Serretti et al., 2014, pg. 94). Environmental factors are also s... ... middle of paper ... ...e Tiffany’s disorder. This can be seen when Pat says, “The only way to beat my crazy was by doing something even crazier. Thank you. I love you. I knew it from the moment I saw you. I'm sorry it took me so long to catch up” (Cohen, Gigliotti, Gordon & Russell, 2012). Even though love is a very powerful thing, it is not powerful enough to cure bipolar disorder. Yes, it may help in lessening some of the symptoms and it may help lessen the severity and frequency of manic and depressive episodes, but people are still going to need other forms of assistance. They are still going to need medication and therapy. Even though some people may say that love is the ultimate medicine, it is not the only medicine that is necessary for healing. Love does not conquer all. Bipolar disorder is a complex disorder that requires a lot of medication, therapy, care, and management.
According to some sources, bipolar disorder can be a gift and a curse depending how you look at it and when it is happening (Smith). With bipolar one experiences highs and lows in behavior, but can learn how to control their behavior with therapy and certain medications. It depends how you look at the disorder and how you treat it. People who have it under control will most likely not be as upset that they have it, rather than someone who cannot control themselves, it all depends on the outlook and the
According to the documentary, medicine is the most commonly used intervention mechanism to elevate and dull symptoms of bipolar disorder (2016). Of all the medicine used to combat bipolar disorder, lithium, is considered the “gold standard.” It has been shown to be the most effective and consistent and treating symptoms, however, only 30% of patients benefit from using lithium (2016). Other medications can be used, but have varying levels of effectiveness in patients. It often takes years for patients to find the right mixture of medication to help combat symptoms. For some patients with bipolar, medication is useless at fighting symptoms (2016). For example, the video followed Gary who was desperate for treatment and who was thought to be medication resistant. He elected to participate in Electro-convulsive therapy (ETC), which induces remission in 80% of patients and has been known to be rapidly effective for those with bi-polar disorder. For Gary, the treatment was used to apply electric current to the brain. This current changed the way neurons connect to one another in his brain and even stimulated the
... lost free time, strained relationships with people who may not understand the situation, and physical and mental exhaustion. It can be very hard to cope with a loved one's bipolar symptoms.
More than 57 million people in the United States suffer from some type of mental disorder. Mental illnesses can turn a person’s world upside down. These medical conditions can disrupt every aspect of a person and their family’s lives. Mental disorders do not discriminate; age, sex, or color does not matter when it comes to mental illness. Many people live with different types of mental health problems. These problems can be anxieties, drug or alcohol addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, and personality and mood disorders. People can suffer from one or more of these conditions. There are treatment options available but unfortunately treatable mental illness is being left untreated. Many people feel ashamed or just don’t realize the help available to them. In the past several decades there have been substantial changes in the care for those with mental disorders but even with all the technology, science and a better understanding of what mental illness is, improvement of the lives of those with a mental illness still falls short. One disorder seems to be making its way to the front of the line of all the different disorders out there. Bipolar disorder. Statistics are saying by 2020 bipolar disorder will be the number two health ailment, right behind heart decease (Reilly 224). We can teach society about this disorder and educate people on the see-saw of emotions tied to bipolar and the treatment that is available to them to help ease some of the weight on bipolar patients and their loved ones. There is hope!
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 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 is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function.
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.
For the future, a yearlong study of at least 10 bipolar drugs are being conducted and compared to figure out the best combinations (Kluger and Song, 2002). Brain scans are also being completed to determine which lobes and regions are involved in Bipolar Disorder (Kluger and Song, 2002). A blood test that allows bipolar disorder to be spotted just as simply as high cholesterol is a process in the making (Kluger and Song, 2002). A blood test will finally eliminate years of incorrect diagnoses, along with misguided treatments (Kluger and Song, 2002).
There are so many types of mental illnesses that affect people every day. When some people think of mental illnesses they think of the ones that would cause people to have physical symptoms as well, but that’s untrue, there are many more that you would never know anyone has if you were to see them on the street. As defined by the 2008 encyclopedia “a mental illness is any disease of the mind or brain that seriously affects a person’s ability or behavior. Symptoms of a mental illness may include extreme moods, such as excessive sadness or anxiety, or a decreased ability to think clearly or remember well.” A mentally ill person has severe symptoms that damage the person’s ability to function in everyday activities and situations. Every nation and every economic level can be affected by a mental illness. In the United States alone about 3% of the population has severe mental illness and to add to that number about 40% of people will experience a type of mental illness at least once in their lives. Some cases of mental illnesses can go away on their own, but some cases are so severe that they require professional treatment. There is so much more available to help people recover from their symptoms than in the past.
4) Manic-Depressive & Depressive Association of Boston, an article discussing the genetics of bipolar disorder.
Although genetic factors are considered the most important for the development of bipolar disorder, “episodes that develop after the first one appear to be more heavily influenced by environmental stress, sleep disruption, alcohol and substance abuse, inconsistent drug treatments, and other genetic, biological, or environmental factors” (Milkowitz, 2010, p. 74). Patient M had already suffered two similar episodes of strange behavior and her family history includes mood disorders and states of depression.... ... middle of paper ... ...
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).
Mental health refers to the state of individuals psychologically, emotionally and socially. Mental health affects a person’s emotions, feelings, thoughts, and sections when exposed to different situations. Furthermore, mental health is responsible for a person’s reaction to stress and other social conditions. Generally, mental health affects how a person relates to others and their ability to understand and interact with them. Therefore, problems that affect a person’s mental health affect the abilities to socialize, their feelings, moods, reaction to situations. The person experiencing mental health problem may portray different behaviors when confronted with different issues. Mental health issues have several