Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder And Major Depressive Disorder

There are some treatments for bipolar disorder. The main treatments are medications and psychotherapy. The types of medication used to treat the disorder are antidepressants, atypical antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers (NIMH, 2015). Some other treatments that are helpful in dealing with the symptoms of bipolar disorder are sleeping medications, herbal supplements, and electroconvulsive therapy (NIMH,

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is characterized by changes in mood. It can lead to risky behavior, damage relationships and careers, and even suicidal outcomes if it’s not treated. Bipolar disorder is more common in older teenagers and young adults, it can affect children as young as 6. Women experience more periods of depression than men. More remains to be learned about this condition that affects millions of people.

There is more to the treatment of bipolar disorder than medication, but the medication Lithium has been the primary treatment since the 1960’s. In four studies

Jann States that sufferers of BPD are three times more likely to suffer a depressive episode than a manic or hypomanic episode. (Jann, 2014) The Joanna Briggs institute Identified that the suicide rate for bipolar suffers are 15 times higher than that of non-affected individuals of the same age and sex. Eighty percent of these suicides occur during a depressive episode. (Hung Chu, 2016). Therefore appropriate pharmacological therapy not only during the maintenance period to reduce reoccurrence but also during these acute episodes is highly important. Pharmaceutical treatment includes the use of medication such as mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics and anti-depressants. The Joanna Briggs institute recommends that combination therapy involving both mood stabilizers such as Sodium valproate or lithium valproate and antipsychotics risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine and haloperidol is best to treat acute mania associated with Bipolar. As it increases adherence to medication regime. (Tufanaru, 2016) The same institute encourages the use Olanzapine as a monotherapy or in combination with fluoxetine in the treatment of Depression associated with Bipolar disorder. (Hung chu, 2016) Lithium continues to be the first line mood stabilizer under current guidelines but may be used in conjunction with Carbamazepine where depression is evident. (Hung chu, 2016) The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2015 also shows preference for combination therapy

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the clinical differences in the diagnosis of both Major Depressive Disorder (Unipolar depression) and Bipolar Depression can be made on the basis of characteristics of a Major Depressive Episode (MDE). That is, can an MDE in patients with Major Depressive Disorder be differentiated from a MDE in patients with Bipolar Disorder? Firstly, the extremes in mood, Major Depressive Episode and mania/hypomania will be defined and it will be explained how they contribute to a diagnosis of MDD or Bipolar Disorder based on the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Secondly, the importance of differentiating the two disorders based on MDE characteristics will be explained. Thirdly, the literature on the clinical characteristics of MDE in Bipolar and Unipolar Depression will be reviewed. Lastly, this essay will touch on what this means for clinicians in their decisions in diagnosing patients with Major Depressive Disorder or Bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that is characterized by alternating changes in an individual’s energy and activity levels. This disorder presents itself through “mood swings from mania, or euphoric states, to depression” (Lambert & Kinsley, 2010, p. 250). Mania demonstrates periods of very high energy which results in being overly confident in terms of making bold plans and engaging in risky activities. An individual would typically experience a variety of racing thoughts that will have an influence on their behavior and activities. If the manic episode worsens, hallucinations and severe disorganization of one’s reasoning abilities is seen and can sometimes lead to violence in which the person no longer has control over their thinking and actions. A person suffering from a

If people don’t get enough sleep and miss a meeting, they are just upset, but for people with bipolar disorder, it can trigger another episode to their week. Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that can cause shifts in people 's mood that are more unusual. Signs and symptoms can be different depending on if the person has manic or depressive episodes. A person with the disorder can also give their family and friends struggles, aside from theirs. These are things like life events or disruptions in life that can trigger an episode for the person. About 2.6% of the population in the United States for people 18 years or older. Bipolar Disorder can affect a large population of people, it has many signs and symptoms, struggles, can be triggers by certains things, and is will cause unusual shifts in people 's mood.

When looking at the difference between Bipolar Disorder, Manic Depressive Disorder, and Depression there are not many difference. One could look at the symptoms and see that with each there is a risk of moving towards the next disorder. An individual can be diagnosed with the lowest form of depression and if not taken care of can push the individual to the extreme without ever really knowing. Knowing the symptoms of each disorder, taking time to have tests run, having the diagnose given, and starting on the right track to controlling the disorder can most likely save one’s life in the grand scheme of like.

The author suffers from “Bipolar-Not Otherwise Specified” which means he does not have BP 1 or BP 2. What he has is basically depression and mania combined. If he does not take his medication he will not be stable nor is he able to interact with people. Sometimes it is more depression than mania and vice versa. He tried killing himself two times even while on medication. Dealing with this mental disorder requires support from doctors, family and friends as well as oneself.

There are 4 types of bipolar disorders, the first is Bipolar 1, which is distinguished by a manic episode which usually leads a person to be hospitalized or abnormal behavior for about 1 week, along with 5 out of 8 symptoms of depression (Thomas & Hersen, 2002). Manic episode can also be abnormal behavior, displayed anywhere including workplace, such as: irritability, racing thoughts/flight of ideas, poor concentration, confusion, loud, argumentative, euphoria, and thoughts of grandiosity (Thomas & Hersen, 2002). Bipolar II displays milder symptoms of mania and briefer

EM, a 19-year-old male, displays characteristics of bipolar I disorder with psychotic symptoms. Bipolar I disorder is a mood disorder where individuals have major depressive and full manic episodes, which may include psychotic features like hallucinations or delusions (Comer, 2014). People with bipolar I disorder display, during their manic state which typically lasts at least a week, exhibit irritable, angry or abnormally high moods (Comer, 2014). In the particular case of EM, his behaviors seem to correlate with bipolar I mood disorder with psychotic symptoms.

I feel that Bipolar disorder is extremely misunderstood. Many people use the term loosely. The people who suffer from this disorder are hurting and can’t control their feelings. My friend must pay over $400 a month for her prescriptions. She has insurance, but the insurance company does not cover that much of the medicine she takes. There is a number of medications used to treat bipolar disorder. The types and doses of medications prescribed are based on particular symptoms. Finding the right medication usually takes some trial and error. The process requires patience, as some medications need weeks to months to take full effect. A few of the most used medications are mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antidepressant-antipsychotic and anti-anxiety medications.

Symptoms of bipolar disorders vary for patients. Overall, individuals with bipolar disorder have periods of unusual behaviors, intense emotions, and irregular sleep patterns (NIH, 2016). People with bipolar disorder will go through mood episodes: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes. In a manic episode, some will feel very energized and excited. To others, they will seem hyper. This can be dangerous because those who have manic episodes sleep very little, make impulse decisions, and can become aggressive towards those who question

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, it is a brain disorder that causes shifts in mood, a person’s energy level, their activity levels, and their ability to carry out the day-to-day tasks. Symptoms of bipolar disorder can be very severe. They can be different from life’s normal ups and downs that everyone goes through time to time. Bipolar disorder symptoms may result in damaged relationships, poor job, or school performance, and even as far as suicide. Bipolar disorder can be treated in different form. People with bipolar disorder illness can lead full and very productive lives.

To treat the depressive or bipolar disorder, a therapy containing components from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, Family-Focused, and Interpersonal-Rhythms Therapy would be done. A therapy that educates the patient on their illness and medications, addresses relapses and skills of how to identify and deal with it; includes family at every possible level; and focuses on regular