Symptoms And Limitations Of Depression

Approximately 0.5-1 percent of Americans will develop bipolar II disorder in their lifetime, worldwide the prevalence is 0.4 percent (Rosenberg & Kosslyn, 2011). Bipolar disorder is one of the main causes of disability, because of its cognitive and functional impairment, the high rate of medical and psychiatric comorbidity, and the relevant suicide risk (Dell 'Osso, et al., 2016). Bipolar II disorder is one of the two most commonly diagnosed subtypes of Bipolar disorder, which are distinguished by the amount of burden the depression causes, the number, frequency, duration, and severity of the depressive episodes, and the occurrence of specific sub threshold episodes (Dell 'Osso, et al., 2016). Although bipolar II disorder diagnosis are on the rise we lack extensive research on the features and treatments of this disorder (Datto, Pottorf, Feeley, Laporte, & Liss, 2016). Bipolar II disorder is now recognized in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) under a new chapter dedicated specifically to bipolar disorders. Which proves that bipolar disorders are their own set of disorders in terms of symptomatology, family history, and genetics (Möller, et al., 2014). This allows an enhancement in the accuracy of diagnosis, which in turn leads to earlier treatment. In the DSM-5 it states that bipolar II disorder can lead to effects such as disability, comorbidity, mortality, and an impact on the quality of life (Datto, Pottorf,

Nusslock is a professor at Northwestern University. After graduating with a Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison, he went on to study neuroscience at Pittsburg medical school. This journal focuses on how criteria regarding bipolar disorders may fail to include milder bipolar syndromes. The main argument is the criteria for diagnosing mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, is not adequate. He argues there is no reliable criteria equipped for diagnosing mild cases of bipolar disorder. Mild bipolar disorder is significant and should not go unnoticed, argues Nusslock. “Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) who display subsyndromal hypomanic features, not concurrent with a major depressive episode, have a more severe course compared to individuals with MDD and no hypomanic features, and more closely resemble individuals with bipolar disorder on a number of clinical validators,” claims Nusslock. His findings prove what he hypothesized. The article gives the reader an insight to how important subtle symptoms are and how no person or behavior deserves to go unnoticed. He suggests there is a fault with how we are diagnosing bipolar disorders. We tend to group patients into a larger category, rather than finding a diagnosis that fits properly. The evidence in this article is a combination of research and Nusslock’s own ideas. Because he is able to combine thoughts and ideas, the information is more reliable. This article may be biased because he seems to be solely talking about his perspective than the opposite perspective. Nusslock continuously reflects on his strong sense of opinion. He seems to be very passionate about bipolar disorder and wants to be a part of making a difference. In my opinion, the information is reliable for one side. It does not show reliability for an opposing opinion because there seems to be no other opinion present. This article is a

Bipolar disorder is a costly and disabling disease. Patients with bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed with another illness in their initial presentation. Major challenges to accurate diagnosis include difficulties in differentiating bipolar depression from unipolar depression. Significant heterogeneity between different patients of bipolar disorder, such that they would report different

The concept behind a depressive episode is that it is a period time that an individual experiences insomnia, depression that affects everyday life, recurrent thoughts of suicide, extreme fatigue, and many others (Bipolar Disorder, 2013). These symptoms often promote suicide in patients who suffer from bipolar disorder, but have to be considered alongside the manic symptoms that are present. Specifically, individuals must experience a major depressive episode and a manic episode in near succession. Yet, there are specific criteria for the different forms of bipolar disorder that necessitate

(2000) explained that the prevalence of bipolar spectrum disorder is between 2.6% and 6.5%, which can be compared to the prevalence of drug abuse which is 4.4%. Bipolar can be classified as a spectrum disorder because it forms an umbrella for bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymia, and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified. Unfortunately, bipolar spectrum disorders often go undiagnosed and therefore untreated. With that, Hirschfelt et all (2000), emphasizes the importance of recognizing this disorder. With recognition, these individuals can seek intervention for this disorder and decrease its symptoms and its progression. One way to diagnose this disorder is to screen for it by performing a mood disorder questionnaire. The researchers created a one-page, self-report, paper-and-pencil inventory that can be easily evaluated and administered. The questions were derived from the DSM-IV criteria at the time, but have been updated to the newest version’s clinical

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe and chronic neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by alternating episodes of major depression and mania. Episodes of mania are characterized by a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated mood and increased goal-oriented activity lasting at least one week. Diagnostic criteria for BD have shown two subsets of BD (BD I and BD II), which are differentiated by the severity of the manic episodes. BD I is characterized by traditional manic episodes while BD II is characterized by hypomanic episodes, which are less severe than manic episodes, experienced in BD I. Major depressive episodes are characterized by pervasive and persistent low mood that is accompanied by low self-esteem and anhedonia (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In the United States, BD has a lifetime and 12-month prevalence of approximately 5% (Merikangas et al., 2007) and has been ranked in the top six most debilitating illnesses in the world (Sanchez-Moreno et al., 2009). BD is likely to result from interactions between genetic vulnerability and environmental stressors that cause a widespread dysfunction across a wide range of neurobiological systems with current theories suggesting that BD can be conceptualized as a disorder of neuroplasticity (Machado-Vieira et al., 2014).

The failure to properly recognize patients who experience symptoms that precipitate those of bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Although diagnostic errors can be made with caution and conscious awareness, the patient’s condition may worsen over time or possibly lead to a tragic death. The purpose of this analysis is to offer insight into the elements of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD). Upon doing so, the reader is presented with a better foundation and understanding of the differences between these two mental illnesses.

Bipolar Disorder impacts roughly 5.7 million adults in the United States (DBSA, 2000). This illness causes individuals to experience drastic spikes and shifts in their mood. There are stages where people may feel a sense of isolation or hopelessness, which is often referred to as a “depressive episode” (NIMH, 2011). The other peak stage those with bipolar disorder may experience is an

A significant area of dissension among scholars and psychiatrists is whether bipolarity is viewed on a spectrum (the dimensional approach) or viewed as a specific set of symptoms (the categorical approach). Ghouse at el. argue that the strict “black and white” criteria of the DSM-5

Clinicians need to be cautious with the way they analyze their patients as it is rather common for a patient to be misdiagnosed. They may also have to take into account that most patients with a Bipolar Disorder are present with depressive episodes rather than mania as their first symptom, moreover it is crucial to be suspicious of both Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder during the onset of Major Depressive Episodes in patients. In contrast, a person may have a Major Depressive Disorder with certain mixed features that may not be met with other symptoms in a Bipolar Disorder Spectrum however the missed symptoms in Major Depressive Disorder raises a red flag as that is the first indication that the person is on its way to developing Bipolar I or Bipolar II.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM–5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) is most commonly used by clinicians and health professionals for the classification of mental disorders. The DSM-5 defines bipolar disorder as a mix of different mental disorders, which may include manic episode, hypomanic episode, major depressive episode, and mixed episode (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

3.9% of adults in the United States are suffering from bipolar disorder as of 2014 according to the National Institute of Mental Health (Jann, 2014). Although rare, it is still a prevalent disease in the realm of mental health and requires special attention from healthcare providers. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition described by repeated manic or depressive episodes. Furthermore, due to the extreme mood swings and emotional range bipolar disorder exhibits, it can cause impaired functioning, interrupt quality of life, and affect the overall health of a patient (Jann, 2014). Two main types of bipolar disorder exist, simply called type I and type II. Type I causes more severe episodes of mania, which often require hospitalization, significant functional impairment, as well as psychosis. On the other hand, bipolar II deals with more frequent depressive states, but does include hypomania episodes, but are not as intense as a full manic episode (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Despite the differences, Dr. Michael Jann (2014) states, “…patients with bipolar disorder of either type experience symptomatic depression at least 3 times more frequently than symptomatic mania or hypomania” (p. 489). Still, there are several other types and related disorders to depression, but type I and type II seem to be most prevalent and will be what this paper is based upon (Mayo Clinic, 2015). Regardless of the rarity of the disease, it has

Bipolar Depressive Disorder is a mental disorder referred to as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). It is ranked the sixth leading cause of disability in the world by the World Health organization (Lopez, 2006). It is a brain-related disease that affects millions of people every year. This essay provides the condition’s description, incidence and prevalence, common characteristics, signs and symptoms, cellular and systemic changes, causative factors, diagnosis criteria, and treatment.