Bipolar Disorder Case Summary

Bipolar disorder also known as manic depressive illness is a brain disorder that causes shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out everyday task (National Institute of Mental Health, 2016). Every year, 2.9% of the U.S population is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, with nearly 83% of causes being classified as severe (NAMI). According to Miller, Ghadiali, Larusso, Wahlen, Ani-Barron, Mittal, Greene (2015), bipolar disorder is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Most people that experience this disorder experience highs and lows of the illness. In this paper, various components of bipolar disorder will be discussed. The components include: population dynamics, physical illnesses that accompany the disorder, risk factors and social determinants, treatment, prevention, health promotion, and cultural differences found globally.

The symptoms presented by the client are characteristic of Bipolar I disorder with single manic episode. The defining features of this diagnosis are a single manic episode with no history of major depressive episodes. The manic episode is characterized by a distinct and persistent period of abnormal mood that is elevated and expansive that lasts for at least one week. The most prominent features of the manic episode presented by the client include a sense of grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, increased talkativeness, and an increase in behavior that is goal directed. This manic episode has caused disruption in the client's professional life, and the symptoms are not a result of physiological effects from any

In the United States alone, approximately five point seven million people have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, being considered “the sixth leading cause of disability among middle age group and the ninth leading cause of years lost to death or disability worldwide” (Sawan & Hamilton, 2015). Although equal in both males and females, studies have shown that males are prone to developing bipolar disease earlier in life. On the other hand, females are three times more likely to experience rapid cycling and have more depressive and mixed episodes when compared with males. Average age for onset of bipolar disorder is twenty five years, however, studies have shown that illness can develop at any age, including early childhood (Sawan & Hamilton, 2015). Increased risk factors for both men and women diagnosed with bipolar disorder may include ischemic heart disease, diabetes and COPD, together with influenza and pneumonia. In accordance with Swan & Hamilton (2015), bipolar disorder risk factors are probably caused by genetic factors, unhealthy behaviors and pathophysiologic changes occurring with bipolar patients; also medications used to treat this disorder (Sawan & Hamilton, 2015).

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive disorder, is defined as “a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks” (1). According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, this disorder affects approximately 5.7 million people age 18 and older in the United States annually (2). There are a few different categories of this disorder including Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, and Cyclothymic

Bipolar disorder, manic episode, is represented by persistently elevated or irritable mood and abnormal and persistent increase of goal directed activity or energy that lasts more than a week (DSM 5). Most of the time, the client presents with inflated self-esteem and grandiosity (DSM 5). In addition, only three hours of sleep may be enough for the patient to feel rested because he/she has a drecreased need for sleep (Tracy, 2012). Usually, the person presents with a pressure to talk without taking any break and is seen more talkative than he/she frequently is (DSM 5).

History taking should focus on the presence of mood disturbing episodes, which were described previously. Careful attention must be paid to the duration of symptoms and degree of impairment in order to distinguish between mania and hypomania. The diagnosis of hypomanic episodes in particular is a challenge, since it by definition does not cause impairment, and may be difficult to differentiate from euthymia in a depressed patient. Although the diagnosis of bipolar disorder requires the presence of manic or hypomanic episodes, the majority of patients present with symptoms of depressed, not elevated mood. Thus, the possibility of bipolar disorders must be considered with all patients presenting with depressive episodes. In addition to symptoms, determining family history of psychiatric diagnoses is important, especially in first-degree relatives. Substance abuse is a common comorbidity with bipolar disorder, and patients with bipolar disorder have higher rates of substance abuse than the general population. (Conceptualizing impulsivity and risk taking in bipolar disorder: importance of history of alcohol abuse) Additionally, substance abuse may be a clue to the impulsive, risk taking behavior that is a manifestation of the manic episodes. It is important to note that manic or hypomanic episodes may not be the direct result of medications or substance abuse. Sexual history may

manic episodes. Bipolar 1 and 2 are closely linked illnesses and are ranked and diagnosed

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness which requires medication and intervention (Allison M. R. Lee et al., 2014). This paper focuses on the biological, cognitive, and psychological effects of this disorder. It will also explain the social issues associated with this illness and the treatments available for women. It is known as a mood swing disorder because a person can go from being in a state of happiness and having tons of energy to deep depression and feeling tired (Nevid, Rathus & Greene, 2014). People who experience bipolar disorder have no indication of when their mood will change. One day they may feel great and ready to conquer the world and the next day they may want to end their life. They basically lose hope in themselves and

Bipolar I, also know as manic depression to some, is a mood disorder that affects emotion. The disorder is categorized by a persons erratic mood shift. Bipolar I disorder was given its name because of the emotional episodic mood shifts that a person with the disorder goes through. The mood shifts are categorized by having a depressive low to a manic high. To be diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder the person needs to have at least one manic episode and at least one depressive episode in their life time. Even if the person only has one manic episode and then was in a continuous depressive episode the rest of their life, they will still classify as having Bipolar I disorder since the manic episode is a big decider on the classification of the disorder.

The recurring manic and depressive episodes that characterize the disease make it difficult to lead a stable, productive life. In the manic phase, one may be hyperactive and irresponsible. In the depressive phase, it may be difficult to do anything at all. Early diagnosis and treatment can help an individual avoid these problems. The extreme highs and lows of mania and depression can hurt a person’s job and school performance, damage to their relationships, and disrupt one’s daily life. However, those affected by this disorder are not powerless when it comes to bipolar disorder

5. Administer Lithium (Lithobid) per providers order. Rationale: Lithium is an effective mood stabilizer which is the first choice in treating bipolar disorder.

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.

Bipolar disorder is receiving much attention in the media and is more frequently diagnosed today by many mental health specialists than ever before. It has in fact almost become as commonplace as the flu or common cold. Toddlers who do not sleep well are Bipolar, young children with temper tantrums are Bipolar, husbands who get angry are Bipolar, wives with incredible stress in their lives are Bipolar and the individual who spends too much money is also Bipolar. That pretty much covers 70% of the human race. Is it possible that this number of the population can be chronically mentally ill? Prior to this increase in Bipolar diagnosis over the past 10 or 15 years, the National Institute of Mental Health reported Bipolar to exist in approximately

Of course if she is bipolar, she will probably also require a mood stabilizer as well as therapy.