Free Essays on Bipolar Disorder

Abstract Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness in which a person’s mood alternates between extreme mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is also called manic-depressive illness. In a related disorder called cyclothymic disorder (sometimes called Bipolar III), a person’s mood alternates between mild depression and mild mania. Some people with cyclothymic disorder later develop full-blown bipolar disorder. Rates of bipolar disorder are similar throughout the world. At least fifteen percent of people with bipolar disorder commit suicide. Bipolar disorder is much less common than depression. Many people with bipolar disorder function normally between episodes. Medications known as â€Å"mood stabilizers† are usually prescribed by psychiatrists to help control bipolar disorder. In general, people with bipolar disorder continue treatment with mood stabilizers for extended periods of time. One of the most important thing family and friends can do for a person with bip olar disorder is learn about the illness. Never ignore remarks about suicide. It is important to note that most people with bipolar disorder- even those with the most severe forms can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and related symptoms with proper treatment. Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness in which a person’s mood alternates between extreme mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is also called manic-depressive illness. When manic, individuals with bipolar disorder feel intensely elated, self-important, energetic, and irritable. When depressed, these individuals experience painful sadness, negative thinking, and indifference to things that used to bring them happiness Bipolar disorder is much less common than depression. In North America and Europe, about one percent of people experience bipolar disorder during their lives (J). Rates of bipolar disorder are similar throughout the world. In comparison, at least ei... Free Essays on Bipolar Disorder Free Essays on Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is perhaps one of the most tragic mood disorders, because it virtually taunts with the affected person’s mind. Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic-depressive disorder, is a mental condition in which the person alternates between feelings of mania and depression. The occurrence of bipolar disorder has been a mystery since the sixteenth century. History has show that this affliction can appear in almost anyone. Even the great painter Vincent Van Gogh is believed to have suffered from the disease. It is clear that in our society many people live with this disorder, however, we are still waiting for a definite explanation for the causes and a cure. One thing is certain about bipolar disorder; it severely undermines its victim’s ability to maintain social and occupational success in life. Because bipolar disorder has such debilitating symptoms, it is crucial that we remain watchful in the search for answers about its causes and treatments available. Bipolar disorder affects approximately one percent of the population (approximately three million people) in the United States. It occurs in both males and females. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania and depression. These episodes may alternate with profound depressions characterized by a pervasive sadness, almost inability to move, hopelessness, and disturbances in appetite, sleep, and concentrations and driving. Bipolar disorder is diagnosed if an episode of mania occurs whether depression has been diagnosed or not (Goodwin, Guze, 1989, p 11). Most commonly, individuals with manic episodes experience a period of depression. Bipolar disorder is characterized by a great deal of symptoms that can be broken down into two categories: manic and depressive episodes. The manic episodes are characterized by elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, a decrease in a need for sleep, poor judgment and insight, and often reckless and irresp... Free Essays on Bipolar Disorder I. After talking to my mother several times on the phone and in person, I have often wondered if she is bipolar. She would often have alternate moods of elevation and depression. I found myself asking the questions. What is unipolar illness? It is when the mood is depressed. This is more common than the bipolar illness. Bipolar disorders are marked by periods of manic, greatly elated moods or excited states as well as by periods of depression. Although the manic depressive psychosis may alternate from on of its phases to the other, on e other the other phase is usually dominant for a while. Depression is more often dominant than mania. Manic-depressive patients often recover spontaneously for periods of time, but relapses are fairly common. Most often this disease is genetic. II. Using the Medical and Health Encyclopedia, I found several definitions relating to this topic. I found that there are two types of bipolar diseases. Bipolar 1 and 2. Bipolar 1 is when a person experiences at least one and usually many more, manic episodes, alternating with episodes of major depression. Bipolar 2 is when the individual experiences periods of hypomania alternating with episodes of major depression. Then I found the word cyclothymia, similar to the bipolar disorder since it is characterized by mood swings from mania to depression. I did, however find differences. A person with cyclothymia can experience symptoms of hypomania but never a full-blown hippomanic episode. I a person with this disease is also never symptom free. Last, I found the word affective spectrum. This is when some people who have bipolar disorder (manic depression) or unipolar disorder (depression-only) has co-existing conditions such as migraines, attention deficit disorder, etc. These definitions have helped me to gain a clearer understanding of the different types of this disease. I didn’t realize there were categories. I just... Free Essays on Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a real medical condition that affects two million people in the U.S. This disorder was also known as manic-depressive illness. It causes mood swings from feelings of extreme euphoria or irritability to hopelessness. In each of these episodes changes a person’s energy level, thought process, and behavior changes. This can last for hours, weeks, days or several months. This disorder causes problems with work, school, relationships, and can often lead to suicide. In this disorder there are two poles: mania and depression. â€Å"Within the manic episode moods soar and minds race. There can be days with no sleep, and a vast overestimation of abilities. In the depressive episode there is feelings of fatigue, concentration is difficult, and there could be a loss of interest in activities. There are often cases of mixed episodes, in which the mania accompanies depression†(Comer, 2004). For each person the lengths of episodes are different, and patterns are not consistent. Episodes can last as long as hours or days, sometimes weeks or months. In most cases people will have a somewhat normal period called â€Å"eurthymia†. If a person has four or more manic or depressive episodes within twelve months, the disorder becomes more difficult to treat; this is called â€Å"rapid cycling†. Each of these two phases has separate symptoms. Along with the euphoric or irritability a person may have an increased sense of self-impo rtance, racing thoughts, agitation or restlessness, and unwise involvement in pleasurable but potentially risky activities. These symptoms describe the manic stage. In its counterpart, depression, people often find themselves having feelings of guilt or worthlessness, along with sleep problems, changes in appetite, sleep problems, loss of energy and fatigue, and thoughts of death or suicide. These are a few symptoms of the cycling between manic and depressive episodes. Doctors identify differe... Free Essays on Bipolar Disorder Abstract Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness in which a person’s mood alternates between extreme mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is also called manic-depressive illness. In a related disorder called cyclothymic disorder (sometimes called Bipolar III), a person’s mood alternates between mild depression and mild mania. Some people with cyclothymic disorder later develop full-blown bipolar disorder. Rates of bipolar disorder are similar throughout the world. At least fifteen percent of people with bipolar disorder commit suicide. Bipolar disorder is much less common than depression. Many people with bipolar disorder function normally between episodes. Medications known as â€Å"mood stabilizers† are usually prescribed by psychiatrists to help control bipolar disorder. In general, people with bipolar disorder continue treatment with mood stabilizers for extended periods of time. One of the most important thing family and friends can do for a person with bip olar disorder is learn about the illness. Never ignore remarks about suicide. It is important to note that most people with bipolar disorder- even those with the most severe forms can achieve substantial stabilization of their mood swings and related symptoms with proper treatment. Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness in which a person’s mood alternates between extreme mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is also called manic-depressive illness. When manic, individuals with bipolar disorder feel intensely elated, self-important, energetic, and irritable. When depressed, these individuals experience painful sadness, negative thinking, and indifference to things that used to bring them happiness Bipolar disorder is much less common than depression. In North America and Europe, about one percent of people experience bipolar disorder during their lives (J). Rates of bipolar disorder are similar throughout the world. In comparison, at least ei... Free Essays on Bipolar Disorder Bipolar depression, also known as bipolar disorder, manic depression and manic-depressive illness, is a form of a depressive illness in which mania and depression alternate. It is a disorder that affects over 2 million (1.2 percent) Americans and usually begins during adolescence (American Medical Association [AMA], 1998). It is often not recognized as a serious disorder, but in many cases it causes difficulty in occupational, educational, social life, and other important functioning. A person who has bipolar disorder swings between two extreme emotional poles- depression and mania. During the depression phase, the person will have the same symptoms as people with severe depression (AMA, 1998). Although the shifts of mood have nothing to do with daily activities, the symptoms may prevent the person from functioning normally. However, the All About Bipolar Disorder webpage (1995-2000), says that "increased stress and inadequate coping mechanisms to deal with that stress may also contribute to the disorder's manifestation." The cycles of mood shifts vary greatly in frequency and length. Some people may have several bouts of mania or depression in a row, some have them simultaneously and some have mania without depression (AMA, 1998). In some cases people never experience euphoria during mania, but go directly to a dysphoric state where their energy is boosted so they feel pressured in an uncomfortable state of mind. In other cases bipolar can have a triphasic charac teristic, where there is a brief period of depression, then a sudden swing into mania, then depression will set in again for a few weeks (Mondimore, 1995). Some may have mixed mood states. "In mixed mood states (also referred to as dysphoric mania) pronounced symptoms of both depression and mania either co-exist or alternate during different periods of the day." (Daly, p.1157, 1997). However, typical bipolar patients alternate mania and depression with euthymania (normal mood... Free Essays on Bipolar Disorder Anderson 1 What is mental illness? Mental illnesses are disorders of thought, mood and behavior that cause distress and reduce a person's ability to function psychologically, socially, occupationally and interpersonally. On mental illness that hits close to home due to a family member having it is bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a disorder of moods. It is characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of the signs and symptoms varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild to a severe condition. For many, the manic signs and symptoms include feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem, rapid speech and racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity, poor judgment and recklessness, difficulty sleeping and a tendency to be easily distracted along with extreme irritability. The symptoms and signs that come with the depression stage are almost the exact opposite. They include Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness, disturbances in sleep and appetite, fatigue and loss of interest in your daily activities, difficulty in concentrating and recurring thoughts of suicide. Doctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of the illness. Evidence indicates that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. In many cases people with bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the disorder. (National DMDA) Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. More than two-thirds of people with the illness have at least one close relative who has experienced either bipolar disorder or major depression. Researchers are attempting to Anderson 2 identify genes that may make people susceptible to bipolar ...