Bipolar disorder is a very complex mood disorder, which although highly treatable can be very difficult to live with. The disorder has more than one form or classification and many symptoms ranging in severity. I will be discussing the history of the disorder and how it got its name. I will also provide you with the criteria a patient must meet to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Furthermore, I will be discussing the causes for the different types of bipolar disorder, the common forms of treatment for the different types of bipolar disorder and common therapeutic techniques that can be used by patients to manage their symptoms. The founders of modern psychiatry, like Emil Kraepekin, first categorized psychiatric illnesses. He had …show more content…
The diagnostic criteria for each of the subtypes vary based on the severity and symptoms and the manifestations of them. Some of the subtypes share similar symptoms, which can make it difficult to properly diagnose and therefore treat. The varying symptoms, as explained above, can range from depression, which is a persistent feeling of sadness and can include loss of energy and interest to mania that is a state of great excitement, euphoria, over activity and even delusions. In bipolar disorder type I the diagnosis is based on at least one full blown manic episode and one or more episodes of major depression. It is equally as common in women as it is in men, although usually in men, the first symptom is mania and in women, the first episode is typically depression. In bipolar type II the diagnosis requires major depression but instead of full-blown mania they experience hypomania which is high energy and other similarities such as excitability and impulsiveness but not as severe as mania. Bipolar type II is more common in women than men. Cyclothymic disorder is another type of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by less severe mood swings, episodes shifting from hypomania or mixed symptoms within a year. It may have more than one episode within a week or even within a day. Cyclothymic disorder is more common in people who present with symptoms at a younger age and it affects more
People with bipolar I disorder have full manic and major depressive episodes. Most of them experience an alternation of the episodes; for example, weeks of mania may be followed by a period of wellness, followed, in turn, by an episode of depression. Some, however, have mixed episodes, in which they display both manic and depressive symptoms within the same episode—for example, having racing thoughts amidst feelings of extreme sadness. In bipolar II disorder, hypomanic—that is, mildy manic—episodes alternate with major depressive episodes over the course of time. When a person experiences numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and mild depressive symptoms, but not full-blown episodes, DSM-5 assigns a diagnosis of cyclothymic disorder. The symptoms of this milder form of bipolar disorder continue for two or more years, interrupted occasionally by normal moods that may last for only days or weeks.
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 I, which is considered to be the more severe form of bipolar disorder can be defined as mania or mixed episodes. About sixty seven percent of the time Bipolar I people are depressed or have depressive depression. With this strain of the disorder a person has at least one episode or mixed episodes and they are more prone to committing suicide. People living with bipolar disorder can be symptomatic for half of their lives. A person with Bipolar II disorder don’t experience full blown episodes of mania, however, they are more prone to severe depression and what is considered hypomania. The last form is called cyclothymia. Cyclothymia is cyclical mood swings. Cyclothymia is the least severe of the three.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that comprises of both maniac episode and ordinarily one or more depressing episodes. The disorder has a lifetime occurrence of 1-2%. Psychological factors such as family environment, life events social support and cognitive style play an integral role on the onset, course, and the whole expression of the ailment. Pharmacology of the disorder is multifarious and speedily evolving field. The development of new methods of treatment has greatly assisted refine concepts of the disorder subtypes and generated significant new management choices. Although mood stabilizers in conjunction with antipsychotics may arguably be the traditional medical options for bipolar disorder, other alternative
Bipolar disorder otherwise known as, manic-depression illness of the brain that causes two different types of bipolar. According to which disorder, each has the opposite effects both includes; extreme mood swings highs and lows. Symptoms for Bipolar I or rather Manic Bipolar, are little need for sleep, constantly hyper, too talkative, and mind races. Other times one diagnosed with this disorder may feel extremely sad, empty, worthless, and unsure of one’s self. Bipolar disorder II, known as depressant bipolar, the person may feel an unbearable
This paper is a intended to teach the reader about what Bipolar Disorder is and how it is treated. The facts on bipolar disorder will be discussed, as well as the taboos associated with the disorder and complete myths that have created such stigmas about having and living with bipolar disorder. This paper will discuss what bipolar disorder is, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated.
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 is a brain disorder that may bring upon abnormal changes in one’s mood and energy that may harm the ability to go on with everyday functions. The showings of this disorder can be very severe. Anyone of age can get this disorder, but more commonly found in adults. There are many different types of this disorder depending on how severe your symptoms are. Fortunately, this disease can be treated and successful with the treatment. Scientists are studying the possible causes of this disorder, and most agree there is no single cause; rather, many factors likely act together to produce the illness or increase risk (Insel 2009.)
In their article for Bipolar Disorder Treatment, authors J. Segal, R. Segal, and Smith explained that there is not just one type of bipolar disorder; in fact there are several different types of bipolar disorders. One type of bipolar disorder, which is the most commonly known, the Bipolar I Disorder (mania and depression). This type of bipolar disorder is characterized by at least one manic episode or mixed episode. The vast majority of those who suffer from bipolar I disorder have also experienced at least one episode of major depression, however, it is said that it is not required for the diagnosis. The second type of bipolar disorder is Bipolar II Disorder (hypomania and depression). This type of disorder does not actually involve mania like the first type did. Instead of mania, there are recurring episodes of major depression and hypomania, which is a milder form of mania. To be diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, you must have experienced at least one hypomanic episode and one major depressive episode in your lifetime. The last type of bipolar disorder is Cyclothymia (hypomania and mild depression). This is a milder form of bipolar. Consistent with bipolar disorder, it shows the mood swings. However in contrast, the highs and lows are not severe enough to be considered or qualify as mania or major depression. In order to be diagnosed with cyclothymia, you must experience periods of hypomania and mild depression over at least a two-year time span. This is due
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an alternating or shift in moods of elevation and depression. It is also known as manic depression. This mental illness is that brings severe high and low moods, it can cause changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior. “Bi” which means two or alternating between two, explains the two common episodic moods that occur in individuals with this disorder; mania and depression. According to the DSM there are multiple forms of bipolar disorder, coming in four major forms; bipolar I, bipolar II, bipolar disorder and Cyclothymia. Bipolar II which is a “major depressive episodes alternate with hypomanic episodes rather than full manic episodes.”(Barlow et al., 2014). Individual with bipolar I are similar, “except the individual experiences a full manic episode.” (Barlow et al., 2014). Lastly Cyclothymia is just a mild form of bipolar disorder. Mania episodes take into account the high elevated moods; where an individual’s is extremely energetic, excited, may partake in usually activities, for example excessive spending, promiscuity or dangerous behavior. On the other hand, there are depressive episodes, which are mark by similar symptoms as the common disorder of depression, such as extreme sadness, lack of motivation, constant fatigue and irritable. More prevalent in women, although it can occur in children and older adults, this disorder is seen to suddenly develop in ages ranging from 18 to 24. Although similar men and
Typically periods of symptoms are separated by periods that are symptom free. However, with increasing age or without treatment, the amount of time a patient has symptoms increases and the symptom free time decreases (Kupfer, 2004).
Before I truly understood Bipolar disorder, it was still a fairly common word in my vocabulary. Anytime I thought someone was being moody or fluctuating between emotions, I joked by claiming that person to be bipolar. Several incidents of this involved one of my roommates who seemed to be happy one day, and quite the polar opposite the next. However, it was not until my clinical experience on the psychiatric unit that I realized what true bipolar disorder was, and that she did not fit the criteria. Even though I always thought my roommate was bipolar, I quickly found after being exposed to a diagnosed bipolar patient that my roommate was instead just moody. I decided to write this paper on bipolar disorder, not because I have struggle with it or know a friend or family member with this disease, but because I had several misconceptions about what it entailed.