Bipolar Disorder : Symptoms And Symptoms

“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 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 is a serious mental illness that is characterized by changes in mood. It can lead to risky behavior, damage relationships and careers, and even suicidal outcomes if it’s not treated. Bipolar disorder is more common in older teenagers and young adults, it can affect children as young as 6. Women experience more periods of depression than men. More remains to be learned about this condition that affects millions of people.

Despite the similarities, there are more common symptoms in bipolar depression than it is in regular depression. For example, bipolar depression has individuals feeling guilty, hopeless, sad, empty, unpredictable mood swings, and feelings of restlessness. People with bipolar depression also tend to move very slow, gain weight, and sleep a lot (Hatchett). On the other hand the hypomania state has led observers to feel that bipolar patients are "addicted" to their mania. Paranoia or irritable characteristics begin to manifest in this stage. Hyperactive behavior can sometimes lead to violence and speech becomes very rapid (Hirschfeld, 1995). A mixed episode is when you have both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time. According to Hirschfield, “Those afflicted are a special risk because there is a combination of hopelessness, agitation, and anxiety that makes them feel like they,” “could jump out of their skin” (Hirschfeld, 1995). Up to 50% of all patients with mania have a mixture of depressed moods. This episode is considered very dangerous because individuals feel as if they could commit suicide.

Genetic: Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, so researchers believe there is a genetic predisposition for the disorder. Scientists also are exploring the presence of abnormalities on specific genes.

Genetics may also play a large role in the presence of bipolar disorder in children. Genetics are often more prevalent with direct relatives, parents or siblings (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). In accordance with that the environment that children may be put into in their

Those who are researching this illness believe that it had a lot to do with genetics but that there are also many other factors involved. In an example by the National Institute of Mental Health, they found that even if there is a pair of identical twins and one develops bipolar disorder the other twin might never develop it.

Much research has been done on the amount of people who are affected bipolarity and ways to treat this disorder. Twenty-five is the median age for when this disorder begins; however, it can begin as early as childhood or be noticed as late as the age of forties or fifties. This psychological disorder does not discriminate against gender, for an equal amount of men and women are diagnosed with illness. All races, ethnicities, and social classes are evenly likely to be diagnosed with this mental condition. Although men and women are just as likely to have this illness, studies have shown that women have occurrence more rapidly and often. Bipolarity is known to be one of the leading reasons for claiming disability ranking sixth in the world. Life expectancy is

The National Institute of Mental Health describes bipolar I disorder as the occurrence of manic episodes that can last up to seven days, or experiencing a state of mania so severe that one must be hospitalized. With manic episodes, it is common to experience depressive symptoms as well, which can last two weeks or more. The NIMH defines bipolar II disorder as a pattern of depressive episodes with the addition of hypomanic episodes, which are not as intense and distressing as the manic episodes in bipolar I disorder. During a manic episode one might be experiencing feelings of having a lot of energy, feeling jumpy or wired, talking fast about a variety of topics, racing thoughts, and wanting to do risky things. During an episode of depression,

Bipolar disorder is characterized by more than one bipolar episode. There are three types of bipolar disorder: Bipolar 1 Disorder, in which the primary symptom presentation is manic, or rapid (daily) cycling episodes of mania and depression. Bipolar 2 Disorder, in which the primary symptom presentation is recurrent depression accompanied by hypo manic episodes (a milder state of mania in which the symptoms are not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational functioning or need for hospitalization, but are sufficient to be observable by others). The last one, Cyclothymic Disorder, a chronic state of cycling between hypo manic and depressive episodes that do not reach the diagnostic standard for bipolar disorder (APA, 2000, pp. 388–392) (NCBI, 2012). Manic episodes are characterized by: A distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week (or any duration if hospitalization is necessary) (NCBI, 2012). During the period of mood disturbance, three (or more) of the following symptoms have persisted and have been present to a significant degree: increased self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep (e.g., feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep), more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking, flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing, distractibility, increase in goal-directed activity (either

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, or manic depressive disorder, is a disorder characterized by extreme mood changes. People with this disorder undergo unusual shifts in his or her mood, activity levels, energy and the ability to carry out daily activities (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). A person can go from being very outgoing and energetic to feeling irritated and worthless over a period of a few days, months, or even years. People with bipolar disorder experience “mood episodes”, represented by a drastic change in a person’s unusual mood or behavior (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). A manic episode he or she may experience is overexcited and overly joyful; however, someone in a