Bipolar Disorder And Its Effects

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 3 million American adults each year. Although there are many suffering from the disorder, doctors are still uncertain as to what causes bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be found in men and women equally. In most cases, it begins between ages 15 – 25 but it is usually initially misdiagnosed in younger patients. The precise cause is still unknown, but due to the fact that, “two-thirds of bipolar patients have a family history of affective or emotional disorders, researchers have searched for a genetic link to the disorder” (Ford-Martin & Olde, 2005, p.229). Studies have discovered numerous potential genetic connections to the tendency for bipolar disorder. Another possible biological cause under investigation is the existence of an extreme calcium build-up in the cells of bipolar patients. Also, dopamine and other neurochemical transmitters are being investigated, as they seem to be connected to bipolar disorder (Basile, 2005, p.167).

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

Mental illness has plagued human kind for as long as we have been on this earth. The science of psychology has made great strides in past century. The stigma of being mentally ill has begun to fall away and people are finally starting to get the help that they need to recover. Bipolar disorder is one illness that we have come to more fully understand. Through assistance from a psychiatrist, family and medication a patient with bipolar disorder can enter remission and live a normal life.

As the child grows up, bipolar disorder may affect the size, shape, and function of the brain. Experts believe bipolar disorder is partly caused when brain chemicals called neurotransmitters are unbalanced. Humans have three chemicals in their brain called noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine. Noradrenaline and serotonin have been known to link to psychiatric mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Dopamine has to do with the pleasure system of the brain. Disruption to the dopamine system is connected to psychosis and schizophrenia, two mental disorders characterized by distortions in reality and illogical thought patterns and behaviors.

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.

Losing control of a person's emotions on a daily basis is devastating his or her mind. This disorder people go through is called bipolar. Bipolar disorder can be characterized as the inability to regulate emotions extreme happiness and sadness, also known as mania and depression. Bipolar disorder patients brains have impairments in the frontal cortex, limbic system and the amygdala. These parts of the brain focus on how a person reacts to situations and the biological effects to the body. People can get this disorder any times of their life, but most first episode can be seen in children and adolescents . Mania and depression are affected by different parts of the brain with different symptoms. There are few common symptoms that are similar

Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder are both mental illnesses that are debilitating. Normal functioning becomes increasingly difficult as either disorder takes hold of the mind and impacts every facet of the patient’s life. With an increased risk of suicide, they can even lead to an early death. Studies continue on both genetic and environment influences in mental disorders, but neuroscientific research finds out more with each study about how the brain impacts our mental abilities and inabilities. As research opens doors, better treatments can be explored and developed with both medication and psychotherapy. Biological information on mental illness can also help remove the stigma associated with mental illness that tends to belittle the importance of treatment. The more individuals who seek treatment, the more lives who can be positively impacted and even saved. This paper will take a look at several studies that have been performed regarding Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. Each study deals with biological issues and their impacts on mental illness.

Varying moods and energy levels have been a part of the human experience throughout history. As time has progressed and these mood changes have been identified as disorders. One example, bipolar disorder is perhaps one of the oldest known diseases. It has grown into one of the most common illnesses that people of every age, culture, and gender must deal with on an everyday basis. In recent times bipolar disorder has become quite prevalent in children and adolescents causing and increased concern and interest in this area.

Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood. There is very little research on all mental illnesses but, specifically bipolar disorder because humans have not come out with the technology to fully study the brain. This is why people often judge people with mental illnesses and place a certain stigma on them, people just do not know what to think. For our group project, my group wanted to learn more about why mental illnesses are so misrepresented within our culture.

There are many concerns when it comes to the mental health of individuals throughout the world. Mental health problems can manifest in a variety of different ways and range in severity from attention deficits to hallucinations. One of the most severe forms of disorders that can affect an individual is bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that presents a wide variety of different symptoms that affect the ability of an individual to live a complete and satisfied life. By examining the overall prevalence of the ailment, its symptoms, and the forms of treatments available, a more complete understanding of bipolar disease can emerge.

Bipolar Disorder impacts roughly 5.7 million adults in the United States (DBSA, 2000). This illness causes individuals to experience drastic spikes and shifts in their mood. There are stages where people may feel a sense of isolation or hopelessness, which is often referred to as a “depressive episode” (NIMH, 2011). The other peak stage those with bipolar disorder may experience is an

In the world of mental health disorders, one of the most common is Bipolar Disorder. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Bipolar Disorder affects as much as 2.6% of the adult population. The effects of Bipolar Disorder can range from mild (having little impact on the patient’s day to day life) to severe (making the patient’s life debilitating and nonfunctioning). Bipolar Disorder also has a devastating effect on the patient’s friends and family. Bipolar Disorder is one of the most common mental health disorders, however, with proper treatment; the sufferer can go on to live a normal and useful life.

Bipolar disorder, also called manic depression, is a systemic disorder that affects a person both mentally and physically. While talking about diseases and disorders may be hard for some, it is vital that we do in order to have an understanding of them. Bipolar disorder affects so many people in the world that it is highly likely that you probably know someone suffering from it. It is a disorder that we are still making discoveries about each and everyday, and will continue to do so in order to satisfy our thirst for knowledge. Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that not many people have a full understanding of.

At least 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, more commonly known as manic-depression. This illness usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. Although it may come into affect at any time, most individuals with the disorder experience their first mood episode in their 20’s. However, manic-depression quite often strike teenagers and has been diagnosed in children under 12.

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