Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mental illness that affects many Americans both young and old. It is a chronic disease that presents itself in many ways, including depression, hyperactivity, thoughts of grandeur, unusual amounts of energy and even suicidal thoughts. A person that is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder exhibits mood swings that are extremely high, also called mania or hypomania to extremely lows called depression with moments of "normal moods" in between ("Manic Depression," n.d). The first signs of bipolar disorder are usually apparent in late teens or early adult years, but have been noticed in early childhood years. Even though most refer to bipolar disease as one disease by itself it actually covers …show more content…
According to one study, MRI reports showed the brain's prefrontal cortex in adults with bipolar disorder to be smaller and functioning at a lower level. Because of this, functions such as problem solving and decision making was impaired ("Bipolar Disorder," n.d). Some sources say there is an imbalance in the chemicals of the brain therefore causing certain disorders such as bipolar as well as other mood disorders. Many will agree that heredity plays a large role in the development of the disease. Bipolar disorder appears to be more common in those who have a family member that has been diagnosed with the condition, especially a first-degree relative such as a parent or sibling (Bipolar Disorder, 2002). Other factors that may play a role in the development of the disorder include high stress, drugs and alcohol, major life changes, and advanced paternal age at conception. Those that have experienced trauma such as childhood abuse have a greater chance of developing the disorder as well. Scientist have yet to discover one specific cause to the development of the disorder instead they have determined that a range of factors can play a role in its …show more content…
When experiencing a manic episode or “high” one may experience increased energy, lack of concentration, poor judgement, lack of sleep, thoughts of grandeur, euphoric mood, extreme irritability, increased sexual activity, impulsiveness, loud incessant talking, and risky behavior that is out of the norm. These feelings and behaviors can lead a person to believe that they are all-powerful, paranoid and even filled with rage. Because of these feelings, many turn to more detrimental behaviors such as gambling, spending sprees, and increased sexual
Bipolar disorder affects approximately 3 million American adults each year. Although there are many suffering from the disorder, doctors are still uncertain as to what causes bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be found in men and women equally. In most cases, it begins between ages 15 – 25 but it is usually initially misdiagnosed in younger patients. The precise cause is still unknown, but due to the fact that, “two-thirds of bipolar patients have a family history of affective or emotional disorders, researchers have searched for a genetic link to the disorder” (Ford-Martin & Olde, 2005, p.229). Studies have discovered numerous potential genetic connections to the tendency for bipolar disorder. Another possible biological cause under investigation is the existence of an extreme calcium build-up in the cells of bipolar patients. Also, dopamine and other neurochemical transmitters are being investigated, as they seem to be connected to bipolar disorder (Basile, 2005, p.167).
Depressive episodes can include, but are not limited to feelings of: emptiness, loneliness, depressed thoughts, lack of energy, and trouble concentrating (“National Institute of Mental Health”). However, symptoms from both types of episodes can mix. The individual may feel hyper but also hopeless and depressed at the same time, making it a very difficult disorder. No one certain factor is known to cause bipolar disorder. There are a few main factors which can contribute to the development of it including: genetics, family history, brain structure and function (“National Institute of Mental Health”). Often, if a parent or relation has this disorder, then a related individual has a much more likely chance of being bipolar. Tramative and extremely stressful life events can also cause the disorder to become active at any life stage (“Bipolar Disorder”). This is a diagnostic overview of the disorder, however, to have a full understanding it is vital to look at a real life account of someone with
During a manic episode a person can experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, confusion and paranoia which will require immediate medical attention and treatment.
While having a manic phase people with bipolar disorder cannot control themselves, their behaviors, they do not feel sleepy or tired, they are very involved in activities, and they can be very hyper , they can have very elevated mood.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there is no one cause of bipolar disorder. The disease tends to run in families and “some research has
The doctor may complete a physical exam to rule out other symptoms and then conduct a mental health evaluation or refer a person to a mental health professional. People with certain genes are more likely to develop this disorder than others. For example, bipolar disorder typically runs in families so if a person has a parent or sibling that have this disorder, he is more likely to have it too (www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml). It is also linked to brain structure, brain functioning and environmental factors as well. Periods of high stress, drug or alcohol abuse, major life changes or a traumatic event are other factors that may increase one’s risk of developing bipolar disorder
A characteristic related across all mood states is the over activation of the prefrontal cortex. Malfunctions in the frontal cortex may lead to the dysregulation of moods. Mistransmissions on how to react to a situation is a leading possibility to bipolar. Another study shows that the prefrontal cortex of teenagers and young adults have a correlation of abnormalities over time between volume and age. Studies have seen that abnormal connections in the frontal lobe to the limbic system is a factor in bipolar episode changes. (Townsend)
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
There are four types of mood episodes in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes. Each mood episode comes with a series of symptoms. In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, feelings of increased energy and extreme happiness are the most common. People who are experiencing a manic episode often cannot stop talking, their talking is fast and very hard to understand, they sleep very little, and are very hyperactive. They feel they are invincible and can do anything in the world. Hypomania is a less severe type of mania.
In this world, there are many kinds of illness and diseases that affect our body in different ways. Some illness or diseases can kill us while other ones can be treated. For example, Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in moods such as energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day to day tasks. Bipolar is also known as “manic depression”. Bipolar disorder has affected about 5.7 million people in the United States in any giving year, month, week, day and even time. Bipolar disorder can be affected in both men and women. Affecting any kind of human being will have the cycle of Bipolar Disorder that can last days, weeks and even months. There are few risk factors that reliably predict a significantly
The meaning of Bipolar Disorder is a mental disorder marked by alternating periods of great happiness and exhilaration(Also known as “Elation”) and feelings of severe despondency and dejection(Also known as “Depression”). There are 3 million US cases of this per year. The cause of Bipolar Disorder is unknown (Not known, No one knows) but it is possible that the genetics, environment, altered brain structure, and chemistry may have affected/caused it in a way (But there is no way yet to be sure). This disorder can last for a long time, it can last about a lifetime or a couple of years. No one knows to be sure because every man, woman, and child work’s different in this category to determine exactly when or if the Bipolar Depression will
Bipolar Disorder causes intense mood swings. During those mood swings, one could become depressed and may experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness or lose interest in activities. The mood can then shift to mania or hypomania, and in that state one could feed full of energy or unusually irritable. All of the mood swings above can cause disturbances in sleep, activity, judgement, and behavior. The complete cause of bipolar disorder is unknown.
Manic disorder, also known as bipolar disorder, is an illness classified by extreme mood swings from energetic to fatigue, or agitated to happy (vice versa). These occurrences of mood swings can last from a few hours to a few months. Some may even feel happy but depressed at the same time (Watson, 2016). Over 5 million people in the United States struggle with this disorder while symptoms of mania and bipolar I or II cannot be easily diagnosed (Watson, 2016). Most people tend to become diagnosed with this disorder around the age of 25 years old (National Institute of Mental Health). Manic disorder is not constrained to a certain group of people. It can impact any age, race, or gender however, ⅔ of people who have this disorder has a close