BIPOLAR DISORDERS Introduction: Bipolar disorder is a subtype of the mood disorder. The patient presents with mood swing fluctuating between mania and depression. It constitutes a broad spectrum of mood disorders that includes bipolar I disorder,bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia (oscillating high and low moods), and major depression. Sex/Age Ratio • The average age at onset is 25 years old . • Rates are similar in men and women . • Late adolescence and early adulthood are peak years of onset. Epidemiology • Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide and has a lifetime prevalence of about 3% in the general population. • Within the United States, African and European Americans have similar rates of bipolar disorder, while Asian Americans have lower rates Causes The causes of bipolar disorder vary from individual to individual. Following are thought to be some of the important causes of this disorder. • Genetic o The risk of bipolar disorder is nearly ten times higher among first degree-relatives • Neurological It is thought to be influenced by o stroke o HIV infection o traumatic brain injury o multiple sclerosis o porphyria o seizure disorder o temporal lobe epilepsy • Hormonal Evidence suggest that there is increased transmission of Dopamine during Manic phase. The role of other neuro transmitters such as Gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamate have been implicated. • Physiological Hypothesis suggests that Hypothalamic-pituitary
In a question and answer on the “Myths and Realities about Bipolar Disorder” Dr. Youngstrom a professor of psychology/psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and acting director of the Center of Excellence for Research and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder says, “bipolar disorder is about a third as common as depression and less than half as common as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in youths, but about twice as common as autistic spectrum disorders (Youngstrom, 2012).” In the United States about three percent or about five point seven
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).
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 National Institute of Mental Health has defined bipolar disorder as a serious mental illness that is marked by extreme changes in mood that range between two states: manic and depressive. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is classified as a mood disorder. This disorder goes beyond the typical ups and downs. Bipolar disorder is becoming more prevalent amongst children and teenagers and it is seen as a much more serious medical condition than it has in the past. A manic episode is characterized by feeling the following: very happy, excited, impulsive, show a short temper, talk really fast about a
Bipolar Disorder is a serious mental illness that limits normal functioning and range of moods. Major indicators that someone may be suffering with Bipolar Disorder are mood swings ranging from severe mania to severe depression. According to the DSM-5 (2013), the Disorder is split into two categories based on severity of the manic state. While Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic episodes or mixed episodes and one or more major depressive episodes; Bipolar II disorder is diagnosed after one or more major depressive episodes and at least one episode of hypomania, with periods of leveled moods in between episodes.
The disease inclines more in related people and research has proven that some people are most likely to get the disease due to genes. If a parent has bipolar disorder then it is likely that the child might get the illness if you compare with those without the family history. Technology has had some improvements like the creation of Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database that will help experts join evident emblems of the disorder with the genes of the illness. Experts are also learning about other diseases with the same symptoms to know genetic dissimilarities. Another risk factor is that even identical twins even with identical genes cannot always get the disease of their parents Evans and Andrews, 48).
Bipolar disorder is when person experiences moods varying like a roller costar with very elevated moods (peaks) and very depressed moods (valleys).
Mental Health Association (2001) a specific genetic link to bipolar disorder has not been found.
Bipolar Disorder is a mental health disease in which a person endures extreme emotional mood swings, experiences different activity levels, and encounters difficulty in completing daily activities. There are different severity levels of Bipolar Disorder, like any other disease, and can sometimes be hard to identify and diagnose due to the “overlapping” symptoms they share with other mental disorders.
number of genetic and environmental factors are thought to act as triggers (NHS, 2014). Bipolar disorder affects more women than men even though it occurs later in women. It is more common in men with a substance use disorder and more common in women who have an underlying condition such as migraine, thyroid disease or obesity. Bipolar 11 disorder is more common in women than men with women experiencing depressive episodes, mixed mania and rapid cycling more often than men. There is no evidence that gender affects treatment response to mood stabilizers inspite of the difference path taken of treatment between men and women. On the contrary coexisting medical and psychiatry disorders are more common in women than men hence affecting
According to merriam-webster.com, bipolar is defined as having or marked by two mutually repellent forces or diametrically opposed natures or views. Similarly, Bipolar disorder is when has alternating sessions of depression and manic. Bipolarity is one the many mood disorders which belongs in the category of clinical syndromes in the classification of disorders (Weiten 605). Although the cause is not yet clear, it has many symptoms and two of the therapies that are used to treat bipolar disorder are Cognitive-behavioral therapy and Interpersonal -social rhythm therapy.
Among the high-income countries, the Unites States ranked highest in terms of the percent of population suffering from the disorder. The Global Burden of Disease and Risk Factors, reports that 3 million Americans 18 years and above suffer from bipolar disorder (Lopez, 2006). A nationwide survey reported that 6.7% of the adult population has had a bipolar period within the past twelve months. These rates
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
Bipolar disorder is defined as a mood disorder that causes drastic emotional changes and mood swings. These mood swings can range from manic highs, to depressive lows. It is also characterized by severe changes in mood. Bipolar
According to the description on MedicineNet.com Bipolar disorder is “Alternating moods of abnormal highs (mania) and lows because of the swings between these opposing poles in mood and a type of depressive disease. Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment”.