A Paper on Bipolar Disorder

There are some treatments for bipolar disorder. The main treatments are medications and psychotherapy. The types of medication used to treat the disorder are antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers (NIMH, 2015). Some other treatments that are helpful in dealing with the symptoms of bipolar disorder are sleeping medications, herbal supplements, and electroconvulsive therapy (NIMH,

Bipolar disorder may make it harder to get along with others and have good relationships. Divorce rates, for example, are almost 2 to 3 times higher for people with bipolar disorder than for people without it. Holding down a job, completing an education, taking care of children, and managing money may also be more difficult

Currently the best treatment for bipolar disorder is a combination of medical medicine along with therapy and counseling. The medicines used to treat bipolar disorder are grouped together in three categories: Anticonvulsants, Antidepressants, and Antipsychotics. Each medicine is prescribed to the patient according to the symptoms the individual is experiencing. Each bipolar disorder case is different and it is important to diagnose the patient properly in terms of medicine and counseling for better recovery results from the

Despite the similarities, there are more common symptoms in bipolar depression than it is in regular depression. For example, bipolar depression has individuals feeling guilty, hopeless, sad, empty, unpredictable mood swings, and feelings of restlessness. People with bipolar depression also tend to move very slow, gain weight, and sleep a lot (Hatchett). On the other hand the hypomania state has led observers to feel that bipolar patients are "addicted" to their mania. Paranoia or irritable characteristics begin to manifest in this stage. Hyperactive behavior can sometimes lead to violence and speech becomes very rapid (Hirschfeld, 1995). A mixed episode is when you have both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. According to Hirschfield, “Those afflicted are a special risk because there is a combination of hopelessness, agitation, and anxiety that makes them feel like they,” “could jump out of their skin” (Hirschfeld, 1995). Up to 50% of all patients with mania have a mixture of depressed moods. This episode is considered very dangerous because individuals feel as if they could commit suicide.

Medication is the first line of defense in treating bipolar disorder. Traditionally, lithium was the drug of choice for bipolar patients. Though lithium is still used

What is bipolar disorder? As defined by the (NIMH 1), “Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.”

Bipolar disorder is characterized by unusual and sudden changes in mood, energy, activity levels affecting the ability to perform everyday tasks, impacting negatively relationships, professional life and often leading to suicide. Bipolar disorder usually show signs in adolescence or early adulthood and is a long term condition that must be appropriately treated in order to improve the life quality of the patient. Often people suffering from bipolar disorder also suffer addiction to drugs and alcohol and one of the reasons is that people with bipolar disorder sometimes try to self treat their symptoms with alcohol and drugs, which make bipolar symptoms worse. The causes of bipolar disorder are unknown, however most scientist agree that a

The common symptoms for a manic depressive episode consist of elated, expansive, irritable or hyperactive mood. Their speech becomes hard to understand, they have ideas racing through their head, they have incredibly high self esteem, they rarely feel tired and they are often involved in activities that could possibly harm them. “Rarest symptoms were periods of loss of all interest and retardation or agitation” (Weisman, 1991). As the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (MDMDA) has demonstrated, bipolar disorder can participate in developmental delays, marital and family problems, loss of jobs and an inability to keep a steady income.

You have to take a lot of pills and it’s really important to stay on those medications or you’ll become very maniac and could get admitted repeatedly to the hospital. Bipolar disorder is a complex illness with many parts of the brain implicated in its presence. Neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, two types of chemical messengers in the brain, are typically targeted by bipolar medications. The primary types of medication for bipolar disorder treatment are:mood stabilizers,anticonvulsants,and

Depression in bipolar is when the person experiences for 2 weeks or more a sense of sadness and worthlessness, lack of energy and tiredness, agitation and suicidal thoughts.

The depression state of bipolar disorder can be equally troublesome, if not more so, than the manic episodes. When one suffers from depression, sadness and anxiety affect every aspect of their life on a daily basis. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to, sadness, loss of energy, a false feeling of guilt, hopelessness, worthlessness, failure to concentrate, feeling agitated, and mentally/physically sluggish, either the need for more sleep, or suffering from insomnia, drastic changes in

It is very difficult for the family of someone that has this disorder. One of the main keys is to always be patient and understanding. They need a family member that will not judge them just because they have the disorder. You have to understand that sometimes they cannot control what they do. Also its difficult because it is hard to bond with that person. You don’t know when they are going to have their ups or their downs. Just be prepared for any of them. Sometimes family members get exhausted from having to deal with someone with a disorder. They feel at fault because of the way they

There are not nearly as many treatments for bipolar disorder. In fact, there is only one treatment that seems to have lasting effects. This treatment uses therapy with a professional coupled with medications. “Antibipolar drugs, also called mood stabilizers, help steady the mood of those with a bipolar disorder” (Chapter 2, 2009). The advances in treatment are due to the discovery of lithium as a medication. This drug works extremely well to eliminate manic episodes and even help with the depression. The drugs

Lithium is a top choice for acute mania and for maintenance in ‘classic’ bipolar disorder. Because of its narrow therapeutic range, blood levels must be monitored; also heart and kidney function (EKG, blood and urine tests). Medications such as diuretics, that block its excretion require caution.