Bipolar Disorder Research Paper

Bipolar disorder, also commonly referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual and heightened swings in a person’s mood, energy level, and ability to function. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be severe and therefore, they are quite different from the normal shifts in mood that everyone goes through on a daily basis. The effects of bipolar disorder can result in broken relationships, poor performance at work or school, self-mutilation, and even suicide. However, in most instances, bipolar disorder can be treated and people with this illness can lead normal and productive lives with the help of medication and therapy.

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

Because Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder, the causes are unknown. (Bipolar Disorder) Even though they don’t know the root of the illness, doctors have found reasons that could have contribution. One of these would be genetics and its most common with people who have relatives that have already been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Also, after research doctors have discovered that patients with bipolar disorder seem to have physical deviations with their brains. Another factor could be a chemical imbalance with neurotransmitters. They also have discovered that stress, alcohol, and drugs could also initiate the first manic episode. (Mayo Clinic)

Genetics and the environment play a definite role in bipolar disorders and neurotransmitter regulation, or lack thereof, is the joining factor between the two. Depression and mania are the left and right limits to bipolar disorder and there is quite a bit that can happen in between.

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is still unknown, however, there are many factors which that can work together to make it more likely for an individual to develop bipolar disorder. These factors vary from each person, therefore, one factor that produces the onset of bipolar disorder may not cause someone else to develop the illness. It is believed there may be a correlation between genetics and bipolar disorder. Researchers have theorised that there is a genetic predisposition for the disorder as it tends to run in families, with Kerner stating, “the heritability of bipolar disorder based on concordance rates for bipolar disorder in twin studies has been estimated to be between 60% and 80%.” (Kerner 2014). Despite these figures, other studies have been inconsistent and inconclusive in proving the linkage. Studies have shown environmental factors play a major role in the development of bipolar disorder. One of the most significant environmental factors observed in relation to the onset of bipolar disorder is childhood trauma or abuse. This can be observed by looking at the study conducted by Alvarez et al which, “examined 102 patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder and showed that nearly half (47.5%) of these patients had suffered childhood abuse.” (E. Brietzke et al. 2002). Childhood abuse is a common cause of various mental illnesses and disorders.

Bipolar disorder, also known as Manic Depression is a condition that causes serious shifts in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior. Bipolar is more than just fleeting good or bad moods. The cycle of bipolar disorder can last for days, weeks, or even months. Unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder can be so intense that they interfere with the ability to function. The exact cause of bipolar has not been determined, bit it appears to be hereditary. The first manic or depressive episodes often happen during the teenage years or early adulthood. Many people with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed because the symptoms can often be subtle and confusing. There are three different types of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I Disorder (mania or a mixed episode) is the classic manic-depressive form of the illness. Bipolar II Disorder (hypomania and depression) is when the person doesn 't experience full-blown manic episodes. Instead, the illness involves episodes of hypomania and depression. Lastly, Cyclothymia (hypomania and mild depression) is a milder form of bipolar disorder that consists of cyclical mood swings. However, the symptoms are less severe than full-blown mania or depression. It is believed that people with bipolar can’t get better or lead a normal life, but this couldn 't be further from the truth. Actually, many people with

(pyschcentral.org, paragraph 4) Environmental factors can just be as bad as genetics factors when it comes to this disorder. Typically though one will get the bipolar disorder from the gene pull and not realize they have the condition. Bipolar Disorder is lifelong condition and it is not curable. When one begins receiving treatment, things typically will trend to become easier for the ill individual. One will begin to have more control over mood swings and can basically live a normal life. Without treatment one will just become more ill and more problems will begin to occur. The sooner one receives treatment the better they will be off throughout their life.

The Bipolar disorder, as well known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that origins uncommon shifts in mood, energy, activity levels and the ability to carry out everyday responsibilities or tasks (Young, Zarate, & Amara, 2015). There are four basic forms of bipolar disorder. Each type of bipolar disorder all have an impact on changes in mood, energy and activity levels. These moods can change from being well alert with an energized behavior to very sad feeling down and to a hopeless feeling. If the person has some less severe manic periods it is called hypomanic episodes. The Bipolar disorder is categorized in two categories Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder (2013).

The cause of bipolar disorder is not completely known. Researches agree that there is a genetic component linked to the disorder. Studies show that first-degree relatives of people affected with bipolar disorder are about seven times more likely to develop bipolar disorder (4). Twin studies show if one identical twin has bipolar disorder, the second one has a 70% chance of developing the disorder within his/her lifetime. Despite the observations

     Bipolar illness is a major psychological disorder characterized by episodes of mania, depression, or mixed moods. One or the other phase may be predominant at any given time; one phase may appear alternately with the other, or both phases may be present simultaneously. Causes of this illness involve biologic, psychological interpersonal, social and cultural

Depression is a state of extreme or intense moods and feelings that last for more than a few weeks, and affect a person’s ability to function in all aspects of life. There are several different types of depression, depending upon how an individual's depression symptoms manifest themselves. Depression symptoms may vary in severity or in what is causing them. They may also be part of an illness called bipolar disorder, which includes fluctuations between depression and a state of extreme elation called mania.

Causes of bipolar disorder are not clearly defined. There are possible genetic connections to the disorder. Probable occurrence of and excessive calcium buildup in the cells and also dopamine and other neurochemical transmitter seemed to be implicated in bipolar disorder.

Treatments include medication, supportive psychotherapy and occasionally ECT. Medications include lithium, anticonvulsant drugs (carbamazepine (Tegretol), valproate (Depakote), gabapentin (Neurontin) and lamotrigine Lamictal), antidepressants (such as bupropion (Wellbutrin)or sertraline (Zoloft)), neuroleptics (e.g. haloperidol) and benzodiazepines (e.g. lorazepam) Treatment choices depend on the

There are also several types of bipolar disorders, depending on the nature of the illness. The main types are Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. Bipolar I disorder includes individuals who have had at least one full manic or mixed mood episode, and may or may not suffer from episodes of depression. Bipolar II disorder includes persons who have had at least one depressive episode and at least one hypomanic episode, but never experience a full manic or mixed mood episode. Bipolar II may go unrecognized because the hypomanic symptoms may not appear that unusual. Cyclothymic disorder includes individuals who have suffered numerous hypomanic and depressive symptoms over at least 2 years that are not severe or not long enough in duration to meet the criteria for a mood episode. The subtypes of bipolar disorder include: rapid cycling, seasonal pattern, and post-partum onset. Individuals who experience more frequent mood episodes (4 or more per year) are called rapid cyclers. Some persons have predictable seasonal