A Summary of Bipolar Disorder Essay

the course of the illness and is most common in women. Rapid cycling bipolar disorder occurs in up to 20 percent of bipolar I and II patients and it is very hard to differentiate from mixed states (Martin, 2006, p. 305). Bipolar disorder affects approximately 3 million American adults each year. Although there are many suffering from the disorder, doctors are still uncertain as to what causes bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be found in men and women equally. In most cases, it begins between…

The onset of bipolar disorder is usually in late adolescence or early adulthood (7). It is possible for both children and adolescents to develop the disease as well. This usually happens when there is a family history for the disease. Children afflicted by bipolar disorder are usually more irritable and destructive during their manic states and are more prone to mixed states (9). It is even harder to diagnose bipolar disorder in children because it is often confused with other problems that occur…

Bipolar disorder is a mental disease that causes a rapid shift in mood, usually between mania and depression. The manic episode of bipolar disorder usually results in an abnormally large dosage of energy. During manic depression, an individual may go on an unnecessary shopping spree or even quit their job. Mania is usually followed by an episode of depression, which could lead to suicide if not properly treated. Bipolar disorder is usually treated through medication. Medication for bipolar disorder…

affected by bipolar at the same rate (Grohol, 1). Diagnosis of this disorder can be characterized into three different subtypes. The first type is Bipolar I in order for the disorder to be classified as type I it must include at least one episode of both mania and depression. The next face of bipolar is Bipolar II disorder this is identified by hypomania and severe depression. Hypomania is a lesser type of mania, these people can still carry-on with their everyday life. Another type of bipolar disorder…

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…

It is most often used when medication doesn’t work or is unsafe. 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. Anticonvulsants have an edge with rapid-cycling and mixed mood states (e.g. depression with racing thoughts). Except for gabapentin (Neurontin)…

Among pairs of fraternal twins, who have about half their genes in common, both twins have bipolar disorder in less than fifteen percent cases in which one twin has the disorder. Waltz (2000), states that the degree of genetic influence comes from studies of adopted children with bipolar disorder. These studies show that biological relatives have a higher incidence of bipolar disorder than do people in the general population. Personal or work related stress can trigger a manic episode, but this usually…

Bipolar disorder has been divided into different types depending on the severity of the episodes experiences. Bipolar 1 is when a person suffers from episodes of mania, and sometimes even depression. This type is considered one of the most severe forms of bipolar disorder because during the episode, a patient starts to display psychotic symptoms such as hallucination, delusions, and paranoia. The symptoms of bipolar I can last a few weeks or years. Bipolar 2 is a little similar to 1, except the…

symptoms may still last for at least four days and is the main manifestation of bipolar II (Peacock, 2000). On the other end of the spectrum, those suffering from bipolar disorder also go through periods known as “depressive episodes” characterized by long periods anxiety, feelings of inadequacy or emptiness, feelings of unwarranted guilt, and helplessness. During these episodes of depression individuals with bipolar disorder may experience behavioral changes such as having issues concentrating, problems…

Bipolar I disorder is used to classify sufferers who experience at least one mania or mixed episode each episode, and may or may not suffer from depression. Bipolar II disorder is used to classify sufferers who experience at least one depressive episode and at least on hypo mania (less severe than mania) episode. Those classified with bipolar II disorder do not experience a full manic episode or mixed episode. There are also different subtypes of bipolar disorder, depending on the frequency of the…