The Bipolar Disorder, Research Paper Example

A Shift In Mood

Bi-Polar disorder is commonly referred to as manic depression and is characterized by wide shifts in moods. These shifts present in excessive energy, racing thoughts, risk taking behavior and is followed by periods of depression. While everyone has shifts in moods, an individual suffering from Bi-Polar disorder will be affected to the point of having difficulty in normal or every day functioning. This disorder is something that I choose because of my personal experience. My daughter has been diagnosed with the disorder and I have attempted to learn as much as possible about the disorder, treatment and causes as possible.

Symptoms of Bi-Polar Disorder

In order to understand the symptoms that are present with Bi-Polar disorder, one must first understand that the individual’s emotional states shift between mania and depression. During the manic state, individuals typically feel high or overly happy. They may be easily distracted, having racing thoughts and be unable to concentrate (NIMH). It is not uncommon for the individual to have beliefs that are unrealistic and even having difficulty sleeping for days at a time. Sometimes during the manic period, individuals will engage in risky behavior, as well as reckless behavior. These behaviors are generally impulsive and consist of sexual risk taking, alcohol and drug use as well as excessive spending (NIMH).

After a period of mania, the episode will typically be followed by a period of depression. The symptoms during this episode include feeling “down or worried”, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep habits, eating and even thoughts or attempts at suicide or death (NIMH). The emotional states are opposite of one another and is commonly termed cycles, because of the alternation between these two extremes.

Bi-Polar Disorder Causes

To date there is no known cause for Bi-Polar disorder (Sachs, Printz, Kahn & Carpenter, 2000). While the exact cause is unknown there have been many theories that have attempted to explain the existence of the disorder. Studies have shown that when one twin has the disorder that approximately 80% of identical twins and 16% of fraternal twins, both have the disorder (NIMH). This suggests that there is a genetic component to the disease, which heredity is a widely accepted phenomenon for most medical disorders. Other explanations include the brain’s neurotransmitter system. Neurotransmitters have been linked to mood disorders, and could cause the varying shifts in individuals emotional states. The varying levels of serotonin and dopamine have been linked to depression and the body’s ability to cope with or handle stress or environmental difficulties (Bernstein, Clarke-Stewart, Penner & Roy, 2000). Most of the literature regarding Bi-Polar suggests that it is likely a combination of medical and heredity that lead to the prevalence of the disorder.

Treatment & Prevalence of the Disorder

It is estimated that about 5.7 million adults are affected by Bi-Polar Disorder (NIMH). Bi-Polar disorder is not one that is uncommon and may be more prevalent because of the difficulty of diagnosis in individuals less than 18 years of age. The prevalence of the disorder is consistent through different cultures, and also between females and males. The most common treatment for the disorder is a combination of anti-depressants and mood stabilizers. These medications help the individual decrease the mood cycling and also level their mood out, which decreases the amount of symptoms that they experience. In some cases, anticonvulsants are used to help treat mixed emotional states, where the individual is having some symptoms, but not considered to be either depressed or manic (Sachs, Printz, Kahn & Carpenter, 2000).

Psychotherapy or counseling is also commonly prescribed to assist the individual with education for the disorder, improved family relationships and correction of thinking errors. Medication and therapy help the individual live a normal life and prevent the symptoms from becoming debilitating.

Of course this disorder has personal importance to me because of my daughter, but the most interesting discovery was the statistics. I assumed that fewer individuals were affected by the disorder, as it is not something that is frequently spoken within the news or public. I also thought that more men than women would be affected, however was not the case.

References

Bernstein, D.A., Clarke-Steward, A., Penner, L.A., Roy, E.J. (2000). Psychology (5^th Ed.). Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

NIMH · Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). NIMH · Home. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml#pub3

Sachs GS, Printz DJ, Kahn DA, Carpenter D. The Expert Consensus Guideline Series: Medication Treatment of Bipolar Disorder 2000. Postgrad Med. 2000 Apr; Spec No.:1-104.