Bipolar disorder (BP) is a debilitating mental illness that is found in 2% of the population and that onsets in late adolescence and early adulthood (Fabbri et al., 2014). The causes and treatment of BP are not known however there are many biological and cognitive theories (Myers, 2013). The types of treatment include various medications and types of therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy (Abrams, 2004). The very important question that needs to be asked is whether cognitive behavior therapy is a more effective treatment for bipolar disorder than multiple types of medications. Bipolar disorder is characterized by the polar shift in mood from mania to depression in a set amount of time which can range from hours to months (Fabbri et …show more content…
CBT is used to prevent relapse along with improving the entire course of the disease for the patients (Myers, 2013). The aim of CBT is to alter the way a person thinks as well as acts (Myers, 2013). A great way to go about CBT is to retrain a person’s negative thoughts into realistic and attainable goals such as completion of homework without becoming upset (Myers, 2013). The point of a therapy session is to teach the patient how to go about daily life and how to retrain your thinking along the way (Myers, 2013). For example, a person with bipolar disorder could be in a manic state struggling with keeping their composure. With CBT they could try to make a conscious effort to slow down their thinking and to take everything one step at a time (Myers, 2013). Even though it is difficult to retrain a brain to do this, it is extremely efficient because they are allowing themselves to change the course of their BP without the use of medications that wouldn’t allow the same in depth understanding (Myers, 2013). People often refer to BP as being a chemical imbalance in the brain which is true (Abrams, 2004). However, in order to treat the mania along with the depression using medications or CBT it is important to understand what causes the depressive and manic states (Abrams, 2004). When a person has depression many molecules in the brain are not bound to receptors which are normally activated by reuptake into the presynaptic nerve fibers (Abrams, 2004). Instead,
These mood episodes include the manic episodes and the depressive episodes. The mood changes of mania include a long period of an overly happy mood and irritability; the behavioral changes are talking quickly, having racing thoughts, being distracted, increasing of activities, being restless, getting little or no sleep, being impulsive, and engaging in high-risk, pleasurable activities or behaviors (NIMH, 2015). The mood changes of the depressive episodes are loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed and a long period of sadness; the behavioral changes are feeling very tired, having trouble with decision making and problem solving, being irritable, changing normal habits, and negative thinking (NIMH, 2015). Sometimes symptoms from both episodes can be present in a person’s current mood episode. This is called a mixed state. In the mixed state, a person can feel agitated, have a change in eating habits, and have suicidal thoughts; they also feel very hopeless and very energized at the same time (NIMH, 2015). About ten percent of people have at least four mood episodes every year which is called rapid cycling bipolar disorder (Schacter el at.,
“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.
Thankfully, there are various treatments and therapies, which can help manage bipolar disorder in an individual. Since all patents are different, experimenting with multiple treatments is always a good idea, to help figure out what will work best for them. Medication is a main and most popular route, including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants (“National Institute of Mental Health”). Unfortunately, medications can have their downsides and often getting the patient to regularly take their medication is one of the biggest challenges. Another option for the patient to consider is psychotherapy. This includes different kinds of verbal therapy such as cognitive and behavioral therapy (“Bipolar Disorder”). Therapy is not only helpful for the affected person but also can help the family cope. Lifestyle changes such as healthier lifestyle, organized schedule, and the limitation of alcohol and drug consumption, can contribute to managing this disorder. Overall though, this disorder affects everyone differently, and the patent needs to consult a doctor and psychiatrist to figure out what will help them handle their symptoms the most
Bipolar disorder also known as manic depression has always been a mystery since the 16th century. History has shown that it can appear in almost everyone. Bipolar disorder causes mood swings in energy, thinking, and other behavior. Having a bipolar disorder can be very disabling (Kapczinski). A study was evaluated and about 1.3% of the U.S population of people suffers from bipolar disorder. Stressors and environmental influences can trigger and cause a person to go through numerous episodes. Bipolar disorder is characterized according to the severity of the stages. According to Kapczinski, there are four different stages that a person with bipolar disorder can experience. The prognosis of a disorder is different in each particular patient
Bipolar disorder, otherwise known as manic-depressive disorder, is a severe psychological condition of rapid alterations of a contrasting momentary conscious state of mind. Conditions of this particular illness range in severity from an extreme high (Bipolar 1 or Mania) or to a dangerously low (Bipolar 2 or Depression). In addition, it is also common for an individual diagnosed with the illness to experience psychiatric indications of misconceptions. Onset traits of bipolar become present within young adulthood, generally within the age of 20, after an individual has endured recurring alterations for an abnormally extended time. BP is categorized into four types and the disorder has been linked to enhanced
“The evidence is so strongly compelling that bipolar [disorder] is a largely biologic-based disorder that pharmacologic intervention is the mainstay of treatment,” (p.111) It is crucial to find a wide assortment of ways in order to treat this disorder because every case of the illness varies from patient to patient. In some cases, a medication that works efficiently for a group of patients may have little to no effect or adverse effects to another group of patients. It is important to utilize psychotherapies such as cognitive, behavioral, and psychoeducational approaches in order to supplement the prescribed medications, as medications cannot “teach” the patient different coping skills like therapy can. Even though medication alone is not always the most effective way of treating patients, “some of the most convincing evidence in favor of a biological etiology remains the relatively good response to pharmacotherapy and the extremely poor response to purely psychological interventions,” (p. 110). In turn, those patients have a better probability to enter into remission and transition into more productive and higher quality
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an alternating or shift in moods of elevation and depression. It is also known as manic depression. This mental illness is that brings severe high and low moods, it can cause changes in sleep, energy, thinking, and behavior. “Bi” which means two or alternating between two, explains the two common episodic moods that occur in individuals with this disorder; mania and depression. According to the DSM there are multiple forms of bipolar disorder, coming in four major forms; bipolar I, bipolar II, bipolar disorder and Cyclothymia. Bipolar II which is a “major depressive episodes alternate with hypomanic episodes rather than full manic episodes.”(Barlow et al., 2014). Individual with bipolar I are similar, “except the individual experiences a full manic episode.” (Barlow et al., 2014). Lastly Cyclothymia is just a mild form of bipolar disorder. Mania episodes take into account the high elevated moods; where an individual’s is extremely energetic, excited, may partake in usually activities, for example excessive spending, promiscuity or dangerous behavior. On the other hand, there are depressive episodes, which are mark by similar symptoms as the common disorder of depression, such as extreme sadness, lack of motivation, constant fatigue and irritable. More prevalent in women, although it can occur in children and older adults, this disorder is seen to suddenly develop in ages ranging from 18 to 24. Although similar men and
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 not nearly as many treatments for bipolar disorder. In fact, there is only one treatment that seems to have lasting effects. This treatment uses therapy with a professional coupled with medications. “Antibipolar drugs, also called mood stabilizers, help steady the mood of those with a bipolar disorder” (Chapter 2, 2009). The advances in treatment are due to the discovery of lithium as a medication. This drug works extremely well to eliminate manic episodes and even help with the depression. The drugs
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
CBT has shown to be as useful as antidepressant medication for individuals with depression and is superior in preventing relapse. Clients receiving CBT for all depression disorders are encouraged to schedule activities in order to increase the amount of pleasure they experience. In addition, depressed patients learn how to restructure negative thought patterns in order to interpret their environment in a less biased way. CBT for Bipolar Disorder and the high-risk depressed client is used as an adjunct to medication treatment and focuses on psychoeducation about the disorder and understanding cues and triggers for relapse. The client will have more reason to gain more confidence in them. Studies indicate
But CBT is often used as an additional treatment. The medication can help stabilize a person's mood so that he or she is accessible to psychotherapy and can get the most out of it. CBT can help a person manage bipolar symptoms and learn to identify when a mood change is about to happen. CBT also helps a person with bipolar disorder stick with a treatment plan to decrease the chances of relapse.