Bipolar Disorder Analysis

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,

(392) Before answering the question let’s figure out what lithium is. We know it is a drug to treat bipolar disorders, but it is a silvery white element found throughout the world in various simple mineral salts (Comer, 2013, pp.280). Individuals who take lithium suffer from bipolar disorders

There was one time that bipolar patients were treated with lithium. According to Whitaker, Guy Goodwin, a Scottish psychiatrist concluded “… if patients were exposed to lithium and then quit taking it within the first two years, the risk of relapse was so great that the drug

Antipsychotic drugs such lithium is one that is commonly prescribed to help reduce anger, threatening behavior, outbursts, and combativeness in ASPD. It alters sodium transport and inhibits neuronal signaling that dials down the activity of hyperactive circuits involved in producing mania (Vallerand, Sanoski, & Deglin, 2017). Lithium dosage is PO in tablets or capsules at 300-600mg TID for adults but precise dosing is based on serum lithium levels. Side effects include polyuria, polydipsia, diarrhea, mild ataxia, leukocytosis, renal toxicity, drowsiness, and weight gain.

Depakote (valproic acid/divalproex) is an anticonvulsant medication that has shown tremendous results as an alternative to lithium for the treatment of Bipolar Disorder. As with lithium, it not exactly understood how Depakote works in the treatment of Bipolar; however, it is suggested that it is a “weak block of sodium ion channels that produce a weak inhibitor of enzymes that deactivate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (Fawcett, as cited in Capriani et Al., 2013). According to an extensive study carried by Carpiani et Al. (2013), it was found that Depakote was neither better or worse than lithium in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder, in all areas of study, including mania, depressive episodes, and maintenance therapy. As with lithium, Depakote needs be monitored via blood tests to check levels of medication in participating individuals (Preston, Talaga, & O’Neal, 2017). Unlike lithium, Depakote is metabolized via the liver instead of the kidneys (Perry, Alexander, Liskow, & DeVane, 2007)

In 1995, Depakote was approved by the FDA for the treatment of bipolar disorder and is slowing becoming the most widely prescribed drug for the use on mania. Depakote hasn't totally replaced lithium; however, it is being used on patients that were not previously treatable with lithium. Compared with lithium, Depakote doesn't have all the bad side effects when properly administered. Patients taking Depakote find their thinking is clearer and don't seems to have the kidney and thyroid problems (Burns 104-106). The antipsychotic drug Clozaril also has been used to stabilize the moods of bipolar disorders, especially those that have not responded to lithium and the anticonvulsants. One major side effect of Clozaril is that is suppresses the production of white blood cells on about 1% of patients (Harvard Mental Health Letter, June 1997). Because of this side effect, doctors have to be extremely careful when prescribing.

Narcolepsy is when patients suddenly and uncontrollably fall asleep. Depressants are also used for anesthesia like benzodiazepines and barbiturates which are effective as sedatives. By depressing brain activity, these depressants are able to help patients fall asleep. Barbiturates can be used to treat sleep disorders, as can benzodiazepines. Because both medications can take hours to get out of the body, however, another class of medications has been developed for the treatment of sleep disorders. Zolpidem and eszopiclone are two different medications that can treat only some of the parts of the brain that respond to benzodiazepines. Depressants can also be used medically as anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants work to lower the overall activity in the brain, thus helping prevent the abnormal electrical

Bipolar disorder is a long-term mental illness that is formerly called manic depression. There are many types and episodes of bipolar disorder. The three main types of bipolar disorder are Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder, and Cyclothymic disorder. The 3 main episodes of bipolar disorder are Manic Episode, Major Depressive Episode, and Hypo manic Episode. There are many ways to treat the bipolar disorder, including medicine, counseling, and alternative medicine. mood swings, (mania, hypomania, or depression). Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, and affects the brain and causes shifts in a person's mood and ability to function

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness, which involves hypomanic episodes, which are changes in someone’s usual mood. Originally, Bipolar Disorder was called manic depression because it does share similar symptoms with people diagnosed with depression. Bipolar Disorder is a severe condition because it can cause mania, which then causes hallucinations and paranoid rage. (Bipolar Disorder) Bipolar Disorder is classified into two categories, bipolar type 1 and bipolar type 2. Bipolar type 2 is more serious because there is more major depression episodes. (Bipolar Disorder) A study done by Revista Brasileria de Psiquitra, shows a higher prevalence of Bipolar Disorder type 1 but overall both are pretty low in the general population. (Clemente)

“The main concern is that children whose behavior only superficially matches the bipolar checklist get treated with antipsychotic drugs, which can succeed in calming them down, even if the diagnosis is wrong. These drugs can have unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects.” Depending on the person’s mental health diagnosis, other medications can be used to alleviate symptoms. Lithium is a mood stabilizer used to reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts. Lithium reduces the risk of suicide by 60% in comparison to other medications.” Lithium is simply a salt that has been used since the 1950’s according to Dr. R. Chacko MD, professor of psychiatry at Houston Methodist Hospital”. Many other antipsychotic medications are now available for different cases of bipolar disorder. "For treatment of depressive bipolar episodes, mood stabilizers are preferred to antidepressants because antidepressants may cause a switch into a manic episode or aggravate irritability in mixed-symptom mania. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is not a mood stabilizer, but may have antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects." Anticonvulsants have been established as having anti-manic or antidepressant properties that are sometimes considered experimental treatments in bipolar disorder. Never the less patients are encouraged to be consistent with taking their medications at all times in order to

Bipolar disorder affects many people worldwide. Lithium is one of the most effective treatments for bipolar disorder. Lithium has made it significantly easier for patients to live healthy and stable lives with this mental disorder. Various psychologists have performed studies to determine the benefits and dangers of lithium and how it can affect patients. Though some of these studies confirm some of the beliefs that led them to conduct the research in the first place, the validity of some of the results can and have been be debated. Through these studies, the efficacy of lithium and its alternatives are evaluated and compared in order to determine which is the best treatment for bipolar disorder.

Carbamazepine (C15H12N2O), which is a drug that has been used as an anticonvulsant for patients that suffer from seizures or epilepsy, neurological pain, and also to aid in manic and aggressive behavior for people suffering from dementia. At CRL, it is used as an internal stock standard.