Seasonal Affective Disorder Case Study

“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.

Mania may be related to high norepinephrine activity along with a low level of serotonin activity. Some researchers have also linked bipolar disorders to improper transport of ions back and forth between the outside and the inside of a neuron’s membrane, others have focused on deficiencies of key proteins and other chemicals within certain neurons, and still others have uncovered abnormalities in key brain structures. Genetic studies suggest that people may inherit a

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

How does a person get bipolar disorder? Not any specific gene has identified being a cause of the disorder, instead it seems that many genes together and the way they combine with others factors in the person’s life can cause bipolar disorder (Woman’s Health Update, 2010). Team B’s presentation clearly set the record straight on if a person with bipolar is born with the disease or if the disease runs in the family. Studies have shown that the main contributing factors for a person developing bipolar disorder is environmental influences, genetics, and his or her brain chemistry.

There is no single cause for bipolar disorder. Indeed, like all psychological disorders, bipolar disorder is a complex condition with multiple contributing factors, including:

Hormonal imbalances are also believed to be a trigger for bipolar disorder, as well as traumatic stress, such as the death of a loved one, rape, moving, or losing your job, home, and possessions.

Scientist studying bipolar disorder don't really know what causes this illness. Researchers state that if a parent or sibling have bipolar disorder it is passed down in genes to their children. Another one of the causes might be having abnormal brain structure and brain function. It is also said that if the child or adult have anxiety problems they are more likely to develop this disorder. There

It is primarily a biological illness. However, its onset is often linked to stressful life events. There are a number of factors that are believed to play a role in developing bipolar disorder Including genetics, brain chemicals, environmental factors and sometimes medical illnesses.

the exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown but several factors may be involved, such as biological differences, some seem to have physical changes in their brain, neurotransmitters seem to play a significant role in bipolar disorder, bi polar disorder is more common in people who have a relative such as a sibling or parent with the condition, researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing bipolar disorder. (Mayo clinic staff, ND).

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)

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.

Where and how bipolar disorder is caused is still a bit of a mystery. Some information is known but nothing concrete, and a lot of dead ends. Genetic predisposition is one possible cause for bipolar disorder. The disease usually can be seen throughout a family tree of an affected individual. Twin studies have been conducted to see if there is a higher chance of identical twins, who have the same genetic make up, both getting the disease. These have shown that there is an increased likely hood of one twin to have bipolar disorder if the other has it, but it is not a certainty. The gene for bipolarity has mainly been traced to chromosome 18 as well as some others. It is uncertain which is responsible because it has been found in some cases that chromosome 18 is unaffected in bipolar patients. It is most likely that bipolar disorder is linked

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) takes place during the winter weather, this is due to the lessening of the sunlight during those months. The symptoms include lack of energy, eating more than you would usually, sleeping more and gaining weight. People are diagnosed after they have had these symptoms present during the winter for more than 2 years. This type of disorder can be treated with artificial light treatment. During light therapy, you sit or work near a device called a light therapy box. The box gives off bright light that mimics natural outdoor light.