Bipolar Confusion Research Paper

Approximately 0.5-1 percent of Americans will develop bipolar II disorder in their lifetime, worldwide the prevalence is 0.4 percent (Rosenberg & Kosslyn, 2011). Bipolar disorder is one of the main causes of disability, because of its cognitive and functional impairment, the high rate of medical and psychiatric comorbidity, and the relevant suicide risk (Dell 'Osso, et al., 2016). Bipolar II disorder is one of the two most commonly diagnosed subtypes of Bipolar disorder, which are distinguished by the amount of burden the depression causes, the number, frequency, duration, and severity of the depressive episodes, and the occurrence of specific sub threshold episodes (Dell 'Osso, et al., 2016). Although bipolar II disorder diagnosis are on the rise we lack extensive research on the features and treatments of this disorder (Datto, Pottorf, Feeley, Laporte, & Liss, 2016). Bipolar II disorder is now recognized in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under a new chapter dedicated specifically to bipolar disorders. Which proves that bipolar disorders are their own set of disorders in terms of symptomatology, family history, and genetics (Möller, et al., 2014). This allows an enhancement in the accuracy of diagnosis, which in turn leads to earlier treatment. In the DSM-5 it states that bipolar II disorder can lead to effects such as disability, comorbidity, mortality, and an impact on the quality of life (Datto, Pottorf,

Bipolar is a disorder that has a severe impact on everyone that is around the person diagnosed. While the individual may suffer from the disorder the most, others are right there with them. As of yet most scientists tend to agree that there’s no single cause for the bipolar disorder to form in an individual. There are many different types of bipolar and each type has different symptoms.

This paper is a fictional first person account of what my life would be like if I had been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder during my freshman year of college. This account will explore the interpersonal, environmental, and developmental effects this mental illness would have had on me as well as how my life course would have changed. Scholarly articles, the DSM 5, and my education in both the psychology and social work field influenced the depiction of bipolar II disorder presented. This paper will also focus on types of treatment and therapeutic relationships that I would find helpful if I was diagnosed with this mental illness.

Bipolar 2 Disorder is somewhat similar to the regular bipolar disorder. It has its high and lows. the "up" moods never reach full-blown mania. The less-intense elevated moods in bipolar II disorder are called hypomanic episodes, or hypomania (Bipolar). There is no cure for this disorder but it can be treated with medication. People that have Bipolar 2 Disorder tend to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their disorder. Usually that is never a good thing.

“In the earliest days of documentation, these people were viewed as 'crazy,” possessed by the devil or demons,” Dr. Gardenswartz says in Bipolar Magazine (Stephens, 2014). Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder, consists of mood swings that range from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. Depending on the rapidness of the mood swings, the disorder can be classified as mixed or rapid. Mixed episodes last less than usual, while rapid cycling consists of four or more mood disordered episodes per year (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). The term “bipolar” logically emphasizes “the two poles, “usually experience both depressed and elevated moods in a cyclical manner, according to Robert L. Spitzer, MD, professor of psychiatry at

Any one person can have a number of experiences, both good and bad, big and small. Not all of these will change or shape a person, but all of them have the opportunity to depending on how they are perceived by the person and when they occur. One large experience that has drastically impacted my life is coping with bipolar disorder.

The two major types of Bipolar Disorder (BPD) set out in this paper are Bipolar 1 and 2. Bipolar 1 is diagnosed as guide lined by the DSM5. As the occurrence of a least one maniac episode preceding or post an episode of hypomania and/or Major depression. The DSM 5 highlights that Bipolar 2 is diagnosed by one major depressive episode in occurrence with one hypomanic episode with an absence of Mania. (Association:, 2013) Mania as defined by DSM5: “A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day.” Hypomania being: “A distinct period of abnormally and

Bipolar disorder is an illness associated with mood swings ranging from high (manic) to low (depressive) (Sinacola & Peters-Strickland, 2012). Bipolar disorder is understood to originate biologically; however, in some cases environmental factors may trigger the illness. In addition, there are many types of bipolar disorders, such as type 1 and 2, cyclothymia, and rapid cycling. Bipolar Disorder Type presents symptoms such as manic, depressive, or mixed. Bipolar Disorder Type 2 is similar; yet, the mania is limited to hypomania. Meaning the high moods never come to a full-on manic episode. Cyclothymia is a milder form of the illness, where rapid cycling consists of four or more manic or depressive episodes. Furthermore, high rates of

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental disorder that is characterized by sudden intense shifts in mood, behavior and energy levels. Alcohol use disorder is a condition that is diagnosed when a patient’s drinking causes distress or harm (Dual Diagnosis.org, 2015). A large segment of the population is thought to suffer with both disorders; however, it is thought that many have yet to come forward (Ward, 2011). Often both of these disorders can cause distress in various aspects of one’s life. What is the relationship between bipolar disorder and alcohol abuse in adults thirty to fifty years old?

Bipolar Disorder which many researchers and physicians also refer to as Manic Depression is a mental or mood disorder that affects approximately 5.7 million adults age 18 and over in the United States, or 2.6% of the population. Bipolar disorder affects an individual by he or she experiencing episodes of highs also referred to as mania by clinicians, and lows also known as depression. The length of these periods will vary from person to person and may last anywhere from a few short hours to days, weeks, or even months. When a person experiences a manic episode they may feel extremely happiness, irritability, hyperactivity and may need little to no sleep. During an episode of depression the individual may experience extreme sadness, hopelessness,

Because of this, there are two main types of bipolar disorder, bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. Bipolar I disorder is the most common type out of the two disorders. As it states in the textbook Abnormal Psychology: Clinical and Scientific Perspectives (2014), the main difference between the two disorders is that bipolar I has the occurrence of a manic episode throughout the course of the disorder. A manic episode can be described as the person be very talkative at a fast pace, easily distracted, reckless behavior and lack of self control, little need for sleep, and elated. A person with bipolar I disorder can have a lack of self-control which can lead to a very dangerous sex life by engaging in unprotected sexual activity with multiple partners, or even obtaining a drug addiction. On the other end of the spectrum, there are occurrences of depressed episodes that are experienced by people with both bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. Depressed episodes can be characterized by the person being in a bad mood or experiencing sadness daily. Feeling fatigued, having difficulty concentrating, not remembering things easily, and eating problems can stem from depressed episodes. Individuals may also experience a sense of hopelessness that can potentially lead to the attempt or even carrying out suicide. Hypomanic episodes are also experienced by individuals with both bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. These

2. List a number of causes for each condition. Causes for Bipolar Disorder includes; • Genetics • Environmental Factors • Physical illness • Substances Causes for Depression includes; • Genetics • Biochemical Factors (Brain Chemistry) • Illness • Personality Style • Ageing • Long-Term pressures such as abusive relationships, bullying and work stress • Stressful or traumatic events

Bipolar disorder or also known as manic depression and causes mood swings and shifts in energy, thinking, and behavior. In most cases the disorder causes people to go from being completely normal to going to an extremely low of depression.

James Rehn lives in Los Angeles, California he is 24 and at age 19 he was diagnosed as bipolar. He works at a real estate company, it is hard for him to keep jobs because of his disorder but, he has been able to control himself at his current job. It was only six years ago when he started showing the symptoms. He would be extremely happy and excited for a couple days, then he would lay in bed for weeks. During his low times he seemed sad and depressed. Because of his depression it was difficult for him to hold a job. He would skip work to go on random adventures because he was so excited. He couldn't control his behavior. His girlfriend at the time, was very concerned about his new, unexplained behavior. She started researching his symptoms and discovered bipolar disorder. She and his mom took James to the doctor and sure enough he was diagnosed bipolar because of his irrational mood swings, long stages of depression, and his impulsivity.