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What´s Bipolar Disorder?

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Bipolar disorder is best defined as a mental disorder marked by alternating periods of elation and depression. It is also known as Manic-Depressive illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 2.6 percent of American adults have bipolar disorder (Tartakovsky). This illness can be recognized by unusual shifts in mood, and symptoms are severe. There is no single cause for bipolar disorder, but rather multiple contributing factors such as the environment and genetics. Bipolar disorder reveals mood and behavioral changes such as extreme irritability, being easily distracted, and even suicidal thoughts are common. “Mood episodes” are referred to as the intense emotional stage that a person goes through. The overly joyful, excited state is a manic episode; and the extremely sad, hopeless state is a depressive episode. There is also a mixed episode, which is a combination of the two states. People with this disorder are often explosive and wrathful during a mood episode. Roughly 70 percent of manic episodes occur immediately before or after a depressive state (Tartakovsky). There are four different types of bipolar disorder (Tartakovsky). Bipolar I is considered the classic type. Bipolar II is the same as far as depressive episodes, but their manic episodes are less severe. Cyclothymia is a chronic, but milder form, which lasts for at least two years. Mixed episodes occur simultaneously. And last but not least, rapid-cycling, which is where the person experiences four or more manic, depressive, or both episodes within one year. The main method used to diagnose someone with bipolar disorder is during a physical exam, lab tests, and a thorough interview with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other menta... ... middle of paper ... .... Although, even with treatment, periods of depression or mania return in most patients. Each additional mood episode can worsen a patient’s long-term prognosis and increases their risk of future relapses. So even though there is no cure for bipolar disorder, it can be manageable with treatment. Proper medical treatment and good support enables most people with bipolar disorder to work and be successful. Works Cited Merrill, David, MD. "Bipolar Disorder.” New York Times Online. New York Times. 31 Jan. 2013: Web. 08 Apr. 2014. Simon, Harvey, MD. "Bipolar Disorder." University of Maryland Medical Center. UMMC, 08 Mar. 2014. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. Tartakovsky, Margarita, M.S. "Bipolar Disorder Fact Sheet." Psych Central. N.p., 2009. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. Worth, Tammy. "10 Tips for Treating Bipolar Disorder." Health. Health Media Ventures Inc, 2014. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.

In this essay, the author

  • Defines bipolar disorder as a mental disorder marked by alternating periods of elation and depression. it is also known as manic-depressive illness.
  • Explains that bipolar disorder reveals mood and behavioral changes such as extreme irritability, being easily distracted, and even suicidal thoughts are common.
  • Explains that there are four different types of bipolar disorder: bipolar i, cyclothymia, mixed episodes, and rapid-cycling.
  • Explains that bipolar disorder is diagnosed through physical exam, lab tests, and an interview with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional. ct scans and blood tests can't identify bi-polar disorders, but they can be beneficial by ruling out other problems.
  • Explains that genetic and environmental factors play an important role in bipolar disorder. people with this disorder often try to escape their problems by abusing drugs or alcohol.
  • Explains that children with bipolar disorder also have other behavioral and developmental issues, such as adhd. manic depressive disorder can occur in children as young as six.
  • Explains that bipolar disorder cannot be cured, but it can be treated. the main goal is to prevent self-injury, help the patient enjoy their life, and make the mood episodes less frequent and severe.
  • Explains that mood stabilizers help to control symptoms of mania and prevent recurrent manic episodes. atypical antipsychotics can cause drowsiness, blurred vision, and rapid heartbeat.
  • Explains that psychiatric medications can cross the placenta of the fetus into the amniotic fluid, as well as a women’s breast milk.
  • Explains that bipolar disorder can be managed with proper diagnosis and treatment, although depression or mania return in most patients. proper medical treatment and good support enables most people to work and be successful.
  • Explains that david merrill, md. "bipolar disorder." new york times online.
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      • Explains that their mother-in-law has bipolar i. she was diagnosed in her mid to late 20’s.
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      • Explains that bipolar disorder has become one of the leading forms of mental illness in the united states. the negative effects occur due to a lack of proper diagnosis.
      • Explains that bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes extreme emotional changes and shifts in mood. it causes alternate periods of mania and depression.
      • Explains that of all psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder is the most common, affecting between one and two million americans.
      • Explains that bipolar disorder is a disease separate from many other types of mental illnesses. bipolar i sufferers experience extreme periods of mania coupled with depression.
      • Explains the second type of bipolar disorder, known as bipolar ii, where people experience recurrent bouts of depression without the psychotic episodes of mania.
      • Explains that medicated mania, or bipolar iii, is the third type of bipolar disorder. it's the direct result of drug treatment or electroconvulsive therapy for depression. misdiagnosis results in the prescription of anti-depressants.
      • Explains that cyclothemia, or rapid cycling, is characterized by intense changes in mood occurring more frequently than what is typically expected in bipolar disorder.
      • Explains the criteria that must be met to properly diagnose bipolar disorder, such as depressed mood, loss of interest in daily activities, insomnia, hypersomnia, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and recurrent thoughts of death.
      • Explains that a significant amount of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in fact are bipolar.
      • Explains that bipolar disorder is primarily biological rather than psychological, and that it runs in families.
      • Explains that medical research is trying to find a connection between the illness and chemical deficits with the brain cells.
      • Explains that magnetic resonance imaging (mri) and positron emission tomographic (pet) scans show structural abnormalities called unidentified bright objects (ubos) in the brains of many manic-depressives.
      • Explains that bipolar disorder can cause developmental delays, marital and family problems, disturbances in occupational settings including job loss, and financial difficulties.
      • Explains that while most of the effects of bipolar disorder are negative, there is one positive effect that deserves mention.
      • Explains that bipolar disorder does not necessarily indicate an inability to maintain a high-standing job position. manic depressive executives are represented among the ranks of the united states’ most brilliant entrepreneurs.
      • Opines that an inspiration to those who suffer from this debilitating disease may be the mentioning of some well-known writers and artists in the past that suffered from what we know today as bipolar disorder.
      • Explains that with advances in medical research and technology, there are several options available to help treat bipolar disorder. one of the most widely used prescription drugs is lithium.
      • Explains that depression is treated with anti-depressants that are usually used with a mood stabilizer. prozac, paxil, wellbutrin, and effexor are the most common.
      • Explains that mood stabilizers are used to treat manic depression, but their exact functions within the brain are unknown. the use of these drugs in treating bipolar disorder was discovered accidentally.
      • Explains that antipsychotics work by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain and thus preventing over stimulation from the neurotransmitter. because of the wide variety of prescription medications available today, it is easy for patients to find those medicines that are best suited for them with minimal side effects.
      • Explains that psychotherapy is a second approach to treating bipolar disorder.
      • Explains that psychotherapy may also involve the use of behavior modification. cbt emphasizes the acquisition of emotional problem-solving skills and requires insight, motivation, and the capacity to concentrate.
      • Describes electro-convulsive shock therapy as a treatment for bipolar disorder. the patient's brain is stimulated using electrodes placed at precise locations on their head.
      • Explains that bipolar disorder is a mental illness that affects not only patients but also their family, friends, and co-workers. patience and willingness to participate in treatment and therapy are keys in helping to overcome the problem.
      • Explains the american academy of child and adolescent psychiatry. bipolar disorder.
      • Reviews bipolar survivor.com: it takes both sunshine and rain... to make a rainbow.
      • Describes fireman, bruce, and divalproex's study on suicide risk in bipolar disorder.
      • Opines that bipolar disorder affects about 1 million children, according to the sun sentinel.
      • Explains keith, gwendolyn puryear, ellen mcgrath, nancy felipe russo, and bonnie r. strickland's women and depression: risk factors and treatment issues.
      • Analyzes dr. thomas stuttaford's "mania that inspired a genius." the times, 29 may 2003.
      • Describes the strengths and limits of a bipolar/unipolar self-help group.
      • Explains wurztel, elizabeth, prozac nation: young and depressed in america, new york: houghton mifflin company, 1994.
      3510 words
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    • Causes of Bipolar Disorder and Prevalence
      explanatory essay
      (2013). Prevalence, chronicity, burden and borders of bipolar disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 148, 161-169.

      In this essay, the author

      • Explains that the paper will discuss bipolar disease, which is also called manic-depressive illness, and the causes and prevalence of the disease.
      • Explains that bipolar patients experience extreme emotional states that manifest in discrete periods known as mood episodes.
      • Describes the symptoms of manic bipolar, including irritability, rapid talking, attempting to take on challenges, and being restless.
      • Explains that patients with bipolar depression exhibit sustained periods of hopelessness, sadness, and loss of interests in activities, including sexual urges.
      • Explains that diagnosis can only happen if a person experiences changes in moods or emotions. bipolar 1, bipolar ii, bp-nos, and cyclothymic conditions can be severe or mild depending on treatment and response to medication.
      • Explains that bipolar disorder is a special case that requires specialized attention and treatment. understanding the disease is necessary to diagnose and treat it.
      • Reviews neuroimaging studies of individuals at high genetic risk for bipolar disorder. australian and new zealand journal of psychiatry, 47, 1124-1135.
      • Explains that bipolar disease manifests in the candidate and chromosomal regions, indicating a strong connection to hereditary components.
      • Explains that bipolar can go unnoticed for a long time, but there is no cure for it. treatment helps to alleviate the severity of the disease by alleviating suffering.
      • Summarizes the systematic review of the literature on bipolar disorder in primary care patients with depression or other psychiatric complaints.
      1228 words
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    • Psychiatric Evaluation and Diagnosis of Virginia Woolf
      analytical essay
      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...

      In this essay, the author

      • Describes uebelacker, miller, keitner, ryan, and solomon, d. a. (2006). the impact of family treatment on family functioning in bipolar i disorder.
      • Chooses to write about virginia woolf, a british novelist who wrote a room of one's own, to the lighthouse, and orlando.
      • Analyzes how virginia woolf lived a life that lacked information and resources about her disorder. although her life ended tragically with suicide, she was married, had long-term relationships, and published incredibly successful novels.
      • Summarizes the american psychiatric association's diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders.
      773 words
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