Biological, Psychological And Social Influences On Bipolar Disorder Essay

Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that is characterized by abnormal changes in mood, energy and activity levels (“National Institute of Mental Health”). Manic-depressive illness is also another name that bipolar disorder is commonly referred to as (“National Institute of Mental Health”). This disorder has four basic types including, bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic, and any other which do not perfectly fit the first three. All four of the types have episodes of extreme highs, manic periods, and extreme lows, depressive periods. Symptoms can range greatly and depend on what type of episode the affected is having. Manic episodes can include, but are not limited to: having extraordinarily high amounts of energy, activity,

Bipolar Disorder or manic-depressive disorder is a disorder characterized by highs, manias, and lows, depressions, and can therefore be easily distinguished from unipolar depression, a major depressive disorder in DSM-5, by the presence of manic or hypomanic episodes (Miklowitz & Gitlin, 2014). Bipolar disorder is generally an episodic, lifelong illness with a variable course (American Psychiatric Association, 2010). There are two classifications of bipolar disorder; bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. If the episodes are primarily manic but there has been at least one depressive episode, the diagnosis is bipolar I disorder (Early, 2009). If the episodes are primarily depressed but there has been at least one episode of hypomania, increased mood that is more euphoric than normal but not quite manic, the diagnosis is bipolar II disorder (Early, 2009).

Bipolar disorder is a chronic recurrent illness that can be categorized by 3 different types (Bipolar 1 Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder and Cyclothymic Disorder). Bipolar I disorder known as manic-depressive disorder or manic depression is a form of mental illness that is characteristic of a person as having at least one manic episode in his/her life (Jordan Halter, M 2014). These episodes usually result in excessive activity and energy. A manic episode is a period of abnormally elevated mood and high energy, accompanied by abnormal behavior that disrupts life. Most people with bipolar I disorder also suffer from episodes of depression, and often cycle between mania and depression (Jordan Halter, M 2014).

Bipolar disorder or manic depression causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior—from the highs of mania on one extreme, to the lows of depression on the other. More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months. And unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function.

There are many different symptoms of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder experience “mood episodes”. There are two types of mood episodes. One type is a manic episode

Bipolar disorder is a mental health diagnosis when a person can experience extremely different moods. It also can affect the brain during the progression of the illness. A person with this diagnosis usually experiences mood changes of extremely high moods/ manic or extremely low moods which look like depression. There are two different types of Bipolar disorders. The first is Bipolar I which is when a person’s mood can go to severe mania or severe depression. The second type is Bipolar II which is when a person never reaches the severe mania stage they will stop at the hypomania stage. After reading the required text and watching the required videos both mania and depression look completely different. When a person is experiencing a manic episode, it may look like racing thoughts, poor impulse control, and risky behaviors. While the opposite mood is depression and it may look like no energy, unable to get out of the bed and poor ADL’s. Both diagnoses require a medication regime as well as other treatment options. As I reflect on the materials regarding the disorder, I began to think about my experience with working with people with the disorder, what new things I learned and what I will change in the future when working with people who have been diagnosed with this disorder.

There are four basic types of bipolar disorder; all of them involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up,” elated, and energized behavior (known as manic episodes) to very sad, “down,” or hopeless periods (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.

Bipolar Disorder is defined as “a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day to day tasks”. (‘Bipolar Disorder’, 2016). Bipolar disorder has periods of elevated moods called manic episodes as well as severely depressed moods called hypomanic episodes. A manic episode is defined as “a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood that lasts at least one week (or less than a week if hospitalization is necessary). The episode includes persistently increased goal directed activity or energy” (‘Diseases and Conditions; Bipolar Disorder’, 2015). A hypomanic episode is defined as “a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood that lasts at least four consecutive days” (‘Diseases and Conditions; Bipolar

There are several known symptoms of bipolar disorder. The symptoms differ between depressive and manic states. Some of the symptoms for depressive state are: Long periods of sadness or hopelessness, lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, feeling tired, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, problems making decisions, restlessness, irritability, altered sleeping patterns, changes in eating habits, suicidal thoughts and/or attempting suicide (National Institute). The symptoms of manic states include: High levels of irritability, an extended period of feeling high, outgoing, or extremely happy, an elevated sense of one’s capabilities, impulsiveness, engaging in high-risk behaviors, being distracted easily, talking very rapidly while moving from one topic to another, racing thoughts, restlessness, increased activity, suddenly starting new projects, sleeplessness, excess energy, and excitability (National

People who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder are usually on a regimen of mood stabilizers. According to the study published by Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental those who suffer from mental illness are regularly prescribed many psychotropic medications, yet to get effective treatment the patient must adhere to the regimen (Bauer et al., 2010). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the daily amount of medications that the patient took was associated with the patient’s self-reported adherence of taking a mood stabilizer (Bauer et al., 2010). The methods used were data collection in which 312 patients with bipolar disorder had to document sleep, mood, and the medications like lithium or valproate that

A common misconception regarding bipolar disorders is that every individual that is diagnosed experiences the same symptoms. Bipolar (and related) disorders can be similar in that they all invoke a form of lability in an individual’s mood, but the differences in frequency, duration, and intensity are unique to the individual. In order to fully understand the diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, it is important to recognize the complete spectrum. The distinct types of bipolar and related disorders are bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, other specified/ unspecified bipolar and related disorder and cyclothymic disorder. The most severe form and the topic of this paper, of these types, is Bipolar I disorder. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by extreme manic episodes that may follow hypomanic and major depressive episodes (“Bipolar Disorder”, n.d. a). Bipolar II disorder is similar in nature with major depressive episodes, however, the heightened mood is due to hypomanic episodes, which are not as extreme as manic episodes (“Bipolar Disorder”, n.d. a). Other specified/unspecified bipolar and related disorder identifies when an individual has symptoms of bipolar and related disorders but does not meet the full criteria for a specific diagnosis (DSM V, 2013). Lastly, cyclothymic disorder is distinguished by noticeable alterations in an individual’s baseline mood that are not as severe as bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder (Morrison, 2014). Despite the differences in the

Bipolar disorder, or manic depressive disorder, is a disorder characterized by extreme mood changes. People with this disorder undergo unusual shifts in his or her mood, activity levels, energy and the ability to carry out daily activities (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). A person can go from being very outgoing and energetic to feeling irritated and worthless over a period of a few days, months, or even years. People with bipolar disorder experience “mood episodes”, represented by a drastic change in a person’s unusual mood or behavior (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). A manic episode he or she may experience is overexcited and overly joyful; however, someone in a

The main symptom of bipolar disorder would be the dramatic and irregular mood swings. These mood swings would consist of the person being in a great mood one second, and then being extremely angry the next. Other symptoms of bipolar disorder would be extreme fatigue or low energy levels. Feelings of despair and difficulty concentrating may also be signs of

Bipolar Disorder also known as Manic Depressive Illness involves outstanding mood swings. The individual has periods of depression, and periods when they feel either unusually good or pressured and irritable. It affects 1-2% of the population. Genetics plays a significant role. About 15% of children with one bipolar parent develop the disorder.

Bipolar Disorder used to be known as “manic depression”, because the person experiences depression, normal mood and mania, which is basically the opposite of depression. Symptoms for Bipolar Disorder include feeling great, having a lot of energy, having racing thoughts, little need for sleep, taking fast, having difficulty focusing on tasks and