Bipolar Disorder : The Facts And The Myths

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).

When a seventh grader at Frederick Area High School in Frederick, South Dakota, was asked to describe what bipolar disorder is, he said that it refers to people that “change personalities fast” (McGaugh). However, this is only a common misconception. Though the word “bipolar” is often used in conversations to describe a person that has mood swings, bipolar disorder actually refers to a serious mental illness. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, about 2.6 percent of American adults suffer from a form of bipolar disorder, and about one in five people with bipolar disorder commits suicide. Despite the impact that bipolar disorder has on the lives of patients and families alike, it is treated casually by people across the United States. Even though many treat it flippantly, bipolar disorder is a serious mental ailment, and the public needs to have a greater understanding of it.

Bipolar disorder is divided into two categories – bipolar I and bipolar II. Bipolar I is a more severe than bipolar II. People with bipolar I experience mania accompanied with irritable mood. This type of mania or manic episode involves delusional thinking. The manic episode can only be diagnosed if it is accompanied with three or more symptoms on a daily basis for a minimum of one week. Usually, hospitalization is a necessary if the individual isn’t taking

Bipolar disorder is a disorder of the brain and is also called manic-depressive illness. Due to this disorder, the affected individual experiences abnormal mood shifts, unusual levels of energy and activities and atypical ability to perform tasks of daily life. As far as symptoms of bipolar disorder are concerned, they are rather severe in nature. They are not like the usual ups and downs experienced by people once in a while. Bipolar disorder has been found to cause serious damage to relationships, poor performance (academically or professionally. It can even cause patients to attempt suicidal actions. However, the good thing is that there is treatment available for bipolar disorder. For this reason, a number of people have been able to lead contented and productive lives after receiving the appropriate medications and treatment. The development of bipolar disorder often takes place during late adolescent or early adult years. The facts and figures reveal that a majority of people experience the symptoms of bipolar disorder before reaching the age of twenty-five ("Bipolar Disorder").

Doctors don 't completely understand what causes bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and researchers believe there is a genetic factor, that not just one gene is involved but multiple genes and chromosomes. The neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, are factors involved in mania and depression. During a manic episode the patient with bipolar will have high levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine and low levels during a depression episode. It is estimated that between 25% and 50% of people with Bipolar Spectrum Disorder attempt suicide and 11% succeed in ending their life (Varcarolis, 2009). Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally, as well as all races, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic classes.

Bipolar disorder is an illness known for its unique fast transitional mood shifts, usually from manic to depressive. (Moore, P et al., 2014.) This illness holds no prejudice as it can affect anyone at any age, gender or race. (Smith, M 2014) Bipolar disorder is not only dangerous to the patients themselves but could also potentially cause harm to bystanders as well. It is important to get treatment and prevent it from further development. A patient with bipolar disorder cannot differentiate between reality and insanity; they severely lack comprehension of their actions and behaviour as they are unaware of their mood swings. Unable to acknowledge their actions, they are additionally unable to grasp control of their physical, verbal and psychological vivacity.

One of the things that causes bipolar disorder are genetics/family history. People with certain genes are more likely to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As stated by the Seven Hills Hospital. “ Estimates have been provided that state that when a child has one parent who has bipolar disorder, he or she is 15%-25% more likely to develop the illness as well. However, bipolar disorder has also been known to develop in individuals who do not have a similar family history. (Np). This shows that there is a pretty high chance of one developing this disorder, if a family member already has it. Another cause of this disorder is the environment that one lives in. Two of the things that contribute to the onset of this disorder are substance abuse or suffering from severe trauma. Those are some of the different things that can cause or onset bipolar

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.

When freshman (?) at Frederick Area High School in Frederick, South Dakota, was asked to describe what bipolar disorder is, he said that it refers to people that “change personalities fast.” However, this is only a common misconception. Though the word “bipolar” is often used in conversations to describe a person that has mood swings, bipolar disorder actually refers to a serious mental illness. According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, about 2.6 percent of American adults suffer from a form of bipolar disorder, and about one in five people with bipolar disorder commits suicide. Despite the impact that bipolar disorder has on the lives of patients and families alike, it is treated casually by many people across the United States. Even though many treat it flippantly, bipolar disorder is a serious mental ailment, and the public needs to have a greater understanding of it.

When we hear the word, bipolar disorder we think of “ ticking time bomb,” desperation crying, severe mood swings and a more popular word “cray cray.” Unfortunately much of what people know or think they may know about bipolar disorder in not at all accurate. It’s very easy to absorb a bipolar disorder misconception, especially when they display extremes behaviors portrayed on TV and in movies. It’s very important to learn and understand facts on. What is Bipolar? What are the Symptoms? How is it treated? Is there a cure for this illness? There are some myths and some truth about this disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a very complex mood disorder, which although highly treatable can be very difficult to live with. The disorder has more than one form or classification and many symptoms ranging in severity. I will be discussing the history of the disorder and how it got its name. I will also provide you with the criteria a patient must meet to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Furthermore, I will be discussing the causes for the different types of bipolar disorder, the common forms of treatment for the different types of bipolar disorder and common therapeutic techniques that can be used by patients to manage their symptoms.

Bipolar disorder is a very serious disabling illness, with its extreme mood swings from depression to mania. Bipolar used to be called manic depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder is very serious and can cause risky behavior, even suicidal tendencies. Some patients are frequently underdiagnosed, with some individuals living 8 to 10 years before obtaining proper treatment (Varcarolis, 2009). It can be treated with therapy and medication, but if not treated it can lead to, damaged relationships, social life and careers. Treatment for bipolar disorder most often includes a combination of a stabilizing drugs and psychotherapy. Although drug treatment is primary, ongoing psychotherapy is important to help patients’ better cope with the condition. This illness requires lifetime monitoring.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness, but the term bipolar is not colloquially used in a way that reflects that. The colloquial usage of “bipolar” equates being bipolar to the changing of the weather, or the wishy-washy opinions of people who can’t decide where they’d like to eat today. The trivial use of this term undermines the severity of bipolar disorder and creates an environment where people affected by bipolar disorder are presented with two options: having their disease undermined by those around them, or being alienated by those around them because people fear what they do not understand.

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder that is also known as manic depression. The term “bipolar” can be separated to find its definition. Bi- meaning two, and –polar meaning two opposing poles. Signifying the 2 polar opposites of depression and mania. Its first appearance in the American Psychiatrist Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), was in its 3rd revision of 1980. There are three types of Bipolar disorder: bipolar 1, Bipolar 2, and cyclothymic disorder. This disorder is important because everyday many untreated people struggle with it due to a lack of information on this given subject. It 's history, symptoms, and treatments will be discussed in the following pages.

A common misconception regarding bipolar disorders is that every individual that is diagnosed experiences the same symptoms. Bipolar (and related) disorders can be similar in that they all invoke a form of lability in an individual’s mood, but the differences in frequency, duration, and intensity are unique to the individual. In order to fully understand the diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, it is important to recognize the complete spectrum. The distinct types of bipolar and related disorders are bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, other specified/ unspecified bipolar and related disorder and cyclothymic disorder. The most severe form and the topic of this paper, of these types, is Bipolar I disorder. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by extreme manic episodes that may follow hypomanic and major depressive episodes (“Bipolar Disorder”, n.d. a). Bipolar II disorder is similar in nature with major depressive episodes, however, the heightened mood is due to hypomanic episodes, which are not as extreme as manic episodes (“Bipolar Disorder”, n.d. a). Other specified/unspecified bipolar and related disorder identifies when an individual has symptoms of bipolar and related disorders but does not meet the full criteria for a specific diagnosis (DSM V, 2013). Lastly, cyclothymic disorder is distinguished by noticeable alterations in an individual’s baseline mood that are not as severe as bipolar I disorder or bipolar II disorder (Morrison, 2014). Despite the differences in the