Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that has many effects on the human body and mind. Known as manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder is most commonly found in young adults, and in some cases, children as well (Gallagher, 2005, 35). Statistics show that bipolar disorder affects about four million people in the United States, and is becoming one of the most common disabilities in the United States today (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 212 ) .Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

 

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People with bipolar disorder undergo two specific mood swings: depression and mania. Depression and mania can be divided into three different subcategories: Bipolar 1 Disorder, Bipolar 2 Disorder, and Cylothymia (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 212). This paper will discuss bipolar disorder as well as give a short history of the mental illness, the subcategories and the symptoms, as well as causes and treatments.Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

Bipolar disorder was discovered during the time of the ancient Greeks. The Greeks believed that this form of manic depression dealt with of blood, phlegm, choler, and black bile, which are body fluids found in the human body (Martin, 2007, 16). These four body fluids were believed to have been the cause of bipolar disorder in that they caused chemical imbalances within the body. Moreover, the Greeks believed that by acquiring equilibrium within the body, a person would need to purge themselves, or release certain amounts of these fluids. However, Plato sought the belief that bipolar disorder was the cause of inspirations such as God, writings, and love (Martin, 2007, 16).

Another idea occurred with the reason that bipolar disorder was caused by environmental factors such as stress, Satan, God, education, and poverty (Martin, 2007, 16). For many years, bipolar disorder was argued to have been caused by spiritual factors as well; however, researchers narrowed the causes down to intellect verses emotion. It was argued that intellect (behavior/rational thinking) was the cause of bipolar disorder rather than fluctuation emotions (Martin, 2007, 17).Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

As discussed in Bipolar Expeditions: Mania and Depression in American Culture, Charles Darwin supported this belief by stating that no one could fully comprehend a person’s emotions because no one person can fully comprehend another’s emotions (Martin, 2007, 18). Bipolar disorder has eventually been recognized to be caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. Since ancient Greek times, researchers have discovered more information about bipolar disorder including different forms organized by severity, symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Bipolar Disorder is known as manic-depressive disorder that has a great effect on the human mind. For many years, this disorder was also referred to as manic depressive psychosis and manic depression, until 2001 when it was officially termed “bipolar disorder” (Gallagher, 2005, 35). Due to this disorder, the mind goes through different changes of thought, also known as mood swings (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 212). Mania and depression are the two mood swings that a person with bipolar disorder endures. A person with bipolar disorder will either alternate between mania and depression or will experience them simultaneously in various episodes (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 212). Mood swings increase in severity either over a period of a few years, or in some cases, a few days (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 212). There are many symptoms and causes of bipolar disorder that are easily recognizable. These symptoms and causes are organized into three different subcategories.Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

The three subcategories are organized by increasing severity of bipolar disorder. The first subcategory is Bipolar 1 Disorder. The main symptom of Bipolar 1 Disorder is an increase in manic mood swings which generally affects daily activities such as work, school, or family (Mayo Clinic Staff). Manic mood swings commonly cause effects such as extreme optimism, aggressive behavior, agitation/irritation, loss of sleep, abuse of drugs/alcohol, or delusion (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 212). The second category is Bipolar 2 Disorder. In this subcategory, people endure depressive mood swings including emotions of sadness, anger, happiness, anxiety, guilt, irritability, and suicidal thoughts (Mayo Clinic Staff). The final subcategory of bipolar disorder is Cylothymia which is the least severe form of bipolar disorder, but does include highs and lows of depression. Other symptoms of bipolar disorder include mood swings over a period of a few years, days, or hours varying on season change, as well as psychosis (hallucinations/delusions) (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 212).Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

There are a few ways that bipolar disorder can be managed and made less severe. The first form of treatment is medication (Mayo Clinic Staff). Medication is believed to aid with balancing mood swings, as well as lessen depression and anxiety. Finding the right medication is difficult because certain medications can negatively affect a person’s disorder by increasing symptoms they may already have. However, lithium carbonate is a well known medication that positively affects about 50- 60% of bipolar patients. Not only does lithium carbonate reduce the symptoms, it also prevents further episodes of mania (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 213-214). Mood stabilizers are also mixed with antidepressants that aid in preventing both manic and depression episodes. Nevertheless, antidepressants can further the severity of manic episodes, as well as mood changes (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 214).Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

Another form of treatment is psychotherapy (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 214). Psychotherapy is a form of therapy that aids the patient in recognizing his or her disorder, the symptoms, and causes. This form of treatment also teaches the patient ways to take control of his or her own life. Psychotherapy is very beneficial because it allows the patient to recognize her or her own disorder, reduce symptom severity, become more compliant towards medications, and allow the patient to better manage their emotions and moods (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 214).). Three different forms of psychotherapy are psychosocial therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, and individual cognitive-behavioral therapy. These different forms of psychotherapy specifically aim at reducing symptoms, while also teaching the patient ways in which he or she can deal with events such as personal loss, disputes, role transitions, and drug abuse (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 214). The final form of treatment is hospitalization which is only for severe cases of bipolar disorder. A patient is hospitalized only if he or she is suicidal or is slowly becoming psychotic (Mayo Clinic Staff). Hospitalization allows the patient to work closely with many specialists that are constantly watching over his or her patient and analyzing the ways in which the environment and medications affect the patient.Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

 

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During the time of the ancient Greeks, it was believed that bipolar disorder was caused by inspirations, environment, spiritual factors, as well as emotions (Martin, 2007, 18). However, all these factors are not the main cause of bipolar disorder, but rather, chemical imbalances within the brain. Therefore, bipolar disorder is a mental illness that has many effects on the human body and mind (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 213).

In conclusion, this mental illness has been commonly diagnosed in both children and young adults. Depression and mania are two mood swings that are common with bipolar disorder. Depression and mania can be divided into three different subcategories: Bipolar 1 Disorder, Bipolar 2 Disorder, and Cylothymia. These three categories all result in many for of symptoms and causes, some including depression, irritability, loss of sleep, weight gain, and anxiety. Forms of treatment for this mental illness are medication, psychotherapy, and hospitalization (Craighead and Nemeroff, 2001, 214). Though Bipolar Disorder is a long term mental illness, they are treatments that can suppress the severity that will, in turn, aid the patient to live a more mentally stable life.Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper

How to make a diagnosis when to fix help for bi polar disorder

Bipolar robs you of that which is you. It can take from you the very core of your being and replace it with something that is completely opposite of who and what you truly are” (A. Reyan 2015). Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that alters a person’s life, they can never go back to who they were before. “It is estimated that more than 10 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder” (everydayhealth.com 2015). Bipolar disorder is broken down into two types; bipolar I and bipolar II disorder. Bipolar I disorder must contain one manic episode in a person’s life. Whereas Bipolar II disorder requires one hypomanic episode to occur. The prevalence of Bipolar disorder is around 4% within the United States, with only 1.0% of that being Bipolar I disorder. “Not a lot of research has been done, to determine which race is more prevalent for this disorder” (NIMH.org 2015). People of lower socioeconomic status have been linked to have higher rates of Bipolar I disorder. “Bipolar I disorder is more common among women than men, with a ratio of ~3:2 (CDC.org 2015). Bipolar I disorder typically develops in a person’s late teen or early adulthood with an average onset age of 25 years old. Bipolar I disorder is defined as ”manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks” (NIMH.org 2015). Symptoms need to last 7 days or have manic symptoms so severe that the person needs
Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper
Bipolar Disorder” Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness, which involves hypomanic episodes, which are changes in someone’s usual mood. Originally, Bipolar Disorder was called manic depression because it does share similar symptoms with people diagnosed with depression. Bipolar Disorder is a severe condition because it can cause mania, which then causes hallucinations and paranoid rage. (Bipolar Disorder) Bipolar Disorder is classified into two categories, bipolar type 1 and bipolar type 2. Bipolar type 2 is more serious because there is more major depression episodes. (Bipolar Disorder) A study done by Revista Brasileria de Psiquitra, shows a higher prevalence of Bipolar Disorder type 1 but overall both are pretty low in the general population. (Clemente) 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. Bi Polar Disorder Essay Paper