Bipolar Disorder ( Bipolar ) Essay

“Bipolar disorder, also commonly known as manic depression, is defined as a serious mental illness in which common emotions become intensely and often unpredictably magnified. Individuals with bipolar disorder can quickly alternate from extremes of happiness, energy and clarity to sadness, fatigue and confusion. All people with bipolar disorder have manic episodes abnormally elevated or irritable moods that last at least a week and impair functioning. But not all become depressed ” (American Psychological Association, 2015). Bipolar disorder can vary in each individual. The symptoms fluctuate in pattern, severity and rate of recurrence. Some people are more susceptible to either mania or depression, while others change proportionately between the two types of episodes. Some have frequent mood disruptions, while others live through a few throughout their lifetime.

Bipolar disorder, also known as, "manic-depressive illness," is a brain disorder that results in unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. More than two million American adults (or, about one per cent of the population aged eighteen and older in any given year) are afflicted by this affective disorder (1). Yet, because it cannot be revealed by a blood test or other physiological means, patients may suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated. Fortunately, once one is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the acute symptoms of the disease can be effectively mitigated by lithium and certain anticonvulsant drugs, the most popular being Depakote (also known as

Bipolar is a mental disorder which is known for a brain disorder that causes constant changing of moods, activity levels, and the ability to carry out every day activities, relationships with family and friends and possibly workplace functioning. The areas that the brain is affected by bipolar is the frontal and temporal lobes of the forebrain, the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and parts of the limbic system (Bressert, 2007). The hippocampus may also play a role in bipolar disorder, as structural changes to this area of the brain have been associated with this disorder in some individuals. It is also known by its older name “manic depression” (Bressert, 2007). A manic episode is described to be like feelings of intensified energy levels, creativity, and euphoria are common. People that experience a manic episodes talk a mile a minute, hardly sleeps, and are hyperactive; they may also feel that they’re all-powerful, invincible, or destined for the best (Bressert, 2007). Bipolar is described as an emotional roller coaster. A person that is diagnosed with bipolar will experience highs that are known as manic episodes and lows that are known as depression (Bressert, 2007). These periods have different lengths of time, they can last for a few hours or ranging days or possibly even longer; they can last up to a few weeks up to months at one given time. This disorder is a long term and chronic condition with a variety of treatments.

This research was conducted to determine the impact of pharmacological treatment and whether electroconvulsive therapy as an alternative to patients whose suicidal symptoms did not improve with the use of medication treatment. During this experiment, researchers observed if there were any pharmacotherapy treatments that increased the risk for rehospitalization or suicide with the use of electroconvulsive therapy. Researchers measured factors such as: rehospitalization of patients, suicide attempts, or death. In total, the study showed the effectiveness of ECT alone and ECT along with pharmacotherapy on patients that have not shown effect with pharmacotherapy itself.

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

Furthermore, inflammation is linked with bipolar disorder and can explain some of the comorbidities such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, that result in decreased life expectancy. Inflammatory molecules are produced in the periphery by immune cells such as helper T cells and macrophages, in response to pathogens or cell damage. The proinflammatory molecules produced in the body can stimulate the microglia and other neuroimmune cells, by entering the brain through regions where the blood brain barrier (BBB) is more permeable, by active transport through the endothelial cells that make up the BBB, or by vagal nerve signalling (Muneer). The presence of inflammatory molecules in the brain stimulates the microglia to release

There are many factors that influence the treatment outcomes of individuals experiencing bipolar disorder. Demographic variables such as gender, socioeconomic status, and ex-offender status may have an impact on an individual’s overall perspective towards mental health, thus affecting the willingness to seek treatment and overall outcomes. Recent research examined the relationship between gender differences and counseling outcomes and found both genders responded positively to psychotherapy (Watson & Nathan, 2008). Specifically, Watson & Nathan (2008) found no differences in gender on treatment outcomes between individual and group cognitive behavioral therapy amongst depressed clients. Men and women presented with symptoms of depression

"Bipolar disorder can also be referred to as manic-depressive illness." (NIMH 1) It is a brain disorder which causes a drastic change in an individual 's behavior, mood, activity levels, and their ability to complete everyday tasks. Before we talk about the aspects of the disorder, we need to understand two important definitions. "One being a 'manic episode ' which is a period of abnormal and persistent elevated, irritable mood that lasts at least a week. This episode must cause noticeable difficulty at work, school, social activities, or relationships. The other definition being 'hypomanic episode ' which is a period of abnormal and persistent elevated, irritable mood that lasts at least four days. During this episode, changes are

There are various times in life where a person can feel depressed due to personal problems that occur in their life but that is normal. Also people can get excited for something they desire and that is also seen as normal. Though someone who has extreme changes in mood, behavior and energy can be consider that person has a mental disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is also known as a manic depression where people have alternating periods of mania and depression (Torpy, Lynm, & Glass, 2009). People with bipolar have high and low moods. Bipolar can be treated and it is very important to get diagnosis as soon as possible in order to reduce the danger of committing suicide. Those suffering from bipolar disorder have a much higher

my life I have been moody, so I guess when my I had mood swings my parents chalked it

Everyone has good days and bad days, as some say “Everyone has their up’s and down’s”. Whether it is good or bad most people can control their moods. Unfortunately, there are people that experience a mood disorder known as Bipolar Disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health about one percent of the American population have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Living with a person that has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder is very difficult, especially not knowing anything about bipolar. There are many questions to be asked. Such as what is the disorder? Is bipolar disorder heredity? How is the disorder treated?

Twin studies provide evidence that bipolar disorder is linked to genetic component. A research study published in the Epidemiology for Behavioral Neurosciences asserts that “twin studies demonstrated that there are strong genetic factors involved in the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder, which also influence white matter, which in turn is involved in brain connectivity” (Squarcina, Fagnani, Bellani, Altamura, & Brambilla, 2016). From the above research, it is obvious that there is correlation between bipolar disorders and genetic factors.

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

In contrast to hypomania is mania, which is a more extreme case of hypomania. A manic episode is a period of an elevated or irritable mood for at least one week. (2, 7) The symptoms must cause problems in daily functioning and cannot be caused by a medical condition or drugs. (7) Manic symptoms are: inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, more talkative than usual, flight of ideas or racing thoughts, attention easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant items, increase in goal-directed activity or psychomotor agitation, and excessive involvement in pleasurable activities which may have negative consequences. (2, 7) Lastly, bipolar disorder patients may also go through mixed episodes, which are periods when the patient meets the criteria for both a manic episode and a major depressive episode

All night, Hearing voices telling me that I should get some sleep, because tomorrow might be good for something. Hold on, I'm feeling like I'm headed for a breakdown, I don't know why. I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell. I know, right now you can't tell, but stay awhile and maybe then you'll see a different side of me. –Matchbox 20, Unwell (Thomas, 2003)