Bipolar: A Short Story

In this article “Bipolar Disorder: The Agony and the Ecstasy” the author Thomas Wheaton explains his life dealing with a bipolar disorder. There are three different types of bipolar disorders, bipolar 1 is an episode of mania or a mixed episode you have in your lifetime. Bipolar 2 is mood states between deadly depression and an extreme form of mania. Then there is Cyclothymic disorder which is close to bipolar 2 with mood swings but not as severe and not as often. Thomas however has a disorder that is not diagnosed as any of the above bipolar disorders, his disorder is unusually changing. His diagnosis is ultra-ultra-rapid cycling, where he experience’s mood swings between depression and mania

Bipolar disorder, also commonly referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual and heightened swings in a person’s mood, energy level, and ability to function. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be severe and therefore, they are quite different from the normal shifts in mood that everyone goes through on a daily basis. The effects of bipolar disorder can result in broken relationships, poor performance at work or school, self-mutilation, and even suicide. However, in most instances, bipolar disorder can be treated and people with this illness can lead normal and productive lives with the help of medication and therapy.

This source gives the readers an in-depth overview of Bipolar Disorder and the causes of having the mental health issue. There’s a great distinction between the ups and downs people experience and bipolar disorder. Due to the ups and downs teens and children experience, bipolar disorder is hard to diagnose during those early years. The National Center of Biotechnology Information’s research program is run by Senior Investigators, Tenure Track Investigators, Staff Scientists, and Postdoctoral Fellows which makes the source credible. The source contained

Growing up as a child, my mother was constantly anxious, went through periods of depression, and mania but I perceived her as normal. My mother has type 1 bipolar depression disorder. My family and I were not aware of the actual diagnosis until six years ago when she had a mania attack and periods of severe depression. The average age of onset of bipolar is 25 however, she was not diagnosed until 55 years old. From 2009-2010 my mother, Lois had been severely depressed, she never left the couch, watched television all day, lost her job, and begun putting weight on. Henceforth, My family and I had discussed getting her help for her depression but we weren’t sure how to approach the situation without making it worse because she was reluctant to get treatment. In May of 2010, my cousin called the police stating her aunt was severely depressed and needed treatment immediately. The police and an ambulance came to my home and they took her out of our home on a stretcher. From what I can recall, she was screaming “Please don’t let them take me, please Alison.”

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

Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity, and the ability to function on a daily basis. People in general have many different mood swings, but someone who has bipolar disorder has severe mood swings that may cause damage to personal relationships, job performance, and the ability to function in school. Diagnosing bipolar disorder can be difficult and is not easy to spot when it begins (nimh.com, 2009).

The criteria for bipolar disorder is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) and it is published every so many years by the American Psychiatric Association. The criteria for bipolar disorder is broken down into 4 types: Bipolar 1, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic, and other. Bipolar I disorder is the most severe type of bipolar disorder. It consists of at least one manic episode and is followed by hypomanic (major depressive) episodes (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2002). These manic episodes can cause hospitalization and may even trigger a psychotic break from reality. Bipolar II disorder is signified by “at least one major depressive episode lasting at least two weeks and at least one hypomanic episode lasting at least four days” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2002). In this type of bipolar, there are no manic episodes. In cyclothymic disorder, there are “at least two years of numerous periods of hypomania symptoms” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2002). It is like a cycle. Listed under other is bipolar disorder secondary to another medical condition.

Bipolar disorder, also called a manic-depressive illness, is a common disorder which causes mood swings, lasting periods of depression, and episodes of mania. “Extreme changes in energy, activity, sleep, and behavior go along with these changes in mood” (National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH], 2008). A person becomes more goal-oriented and has grandeur visions of success. Patient M shows all these symptoms while talking to her friends and professors in college. She describes herself as a person who is above the two standard genders, what she calls a “third sex”, and who switched souls with a senior senator from her state. The latter belief inspires her to start a political campaign and achieve a high position in the government. She

Bipolar disorder also known as manic depression has always been a mystery since the 16th century. History has shown that it can appear in almost everyone. Bipolar disorder causes mood swings in energy, thinking, and other behavior. Having a bipolar disorder can be very disabling (Kapczinski). A study was evaluated and about 1.3% of the U.S population of people suffers from bipolar disorder. Stressors and environmental influences can trigger and cause a person to go through numerous episodes. Bipolar disorder is characterized according to the severity of the stages. According to Kapczinski, there are four different stages that a person with bipolar disorder can experience. The prognosis of a disorder is different in each particular patient

Bipolar Disorder The aspect of bipolar disorder has been a mystery since the 16th century. It was rumored that Vincent Van Gough suffered from bipolar disorder. There is a large group of people suffering from this disorder, however there are no causes or cures for it. Bipolar disorder impairs one’s ability to obtain and sustain social and occupational success. The journey for even a cause will continue for many years to come.

Fact: Many people with bipolar disorder have successful careers, happy family lives, and satisfying relationships. Living with bipolar disorder is challenging, but with treatment, healthy coping skills, and a solid support system, you can live fully while managing your symptoms.

How could it be possible that I had missed all the tale tell signs, that I was completely oblivious to the fact, that one of my loved ones had an addiction, to OxyContin, a prescribed pain medication that he was taking as directed ? Did I miss the signs of his deterioration? Was, I unaware that he was having trouble meeting work obligations? Or that the intense suffering of the pain in his body was defeating him and the medicine was no longer a healing power but a crippling dependent. It was late afternoon, I just finished work, and was at home standing in my kitchen, sorting through my mail, when I came across a letter then did not have a place amongst the junk mail and bills. It was a letter addressed to myself and my husband

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness affects about 1.2 percent of the U.S. population (8). It is defined by fluctuating states of depression and mania throughout ones life. Those who are depressed may be restless, irritable, have slowed thinking or speech, decreased sexual activity, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, suicidal thoughts as well as other changes. Those in a manic state may have increased activity or energy, more thoughts and faster thinking, grandiose thoughts, decreased sleep and need for sleep, increased sexual activity, elated mood, irritable mood, as well as other symptoms. Mixed state is when both depression and mania are exhibited at the same time in a cycle. Rapid cycling

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 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.