Free Essays on Bipolar

The history of bipolar disorder itself is over 2000 years old. "Bipolar Illness, or manic depressive disorder, is an ancient disease with descriptions appearing in the biblical Old Testament and in writings from ancient Greece"(El-Mallakh 775). In the last few years, doctors find the probable cause of bipolar disorder is an inherited lack of stability in nerve impulse transmission in the brain. This biochemical brain problem causes people with bipolar disorder to be more susceptible to physical and emotional stresses. Researchers have found several genes that could be linked to the disorder. This may explain why bipolar disorder seems to run in families. Bipolar itself means "two poles" as it is characterized by mood swings. The manic episode begins with increased energy, creativity, and social ease that can easily go into uncontrollable anger, agitation, and feelings of being irritable. The other side of the pole, depression, is a lack of energy, feeling sad, worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide. These mood swings are totally unrelated to things going on in the person's life. Bipolar disorder affects close to 1% of the population of the United States. "As many as one-fifth of the 3 million people in the United States who develop bipolar disorder eventually find the emotional ride intolerable and kill themselves"(Bower 232). "Suicide is, in fact, the second major cause of death worldwide in women between the ages of 15 and 44. Almost all of these suicides are connected to mental illness, and most mental illnesses are treatable"(Jamison 80). People with bipolar disorder experience depressive episodes consisting of sadness, low energy, worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts alternating with manic episodes of euphoria, inflated self-esteem, and high energy levels. This disorder with its mood swings can permanently disable people, and without treatment, one out of five commit suicide. Many people with bipolar disorder are very intelligen... Free Essays on Bipolar Free Essays on Bipolar Bipolar disorder is perhaps one of the most tragic mood disorders, because it virtually taunts with the affected person’s mind. Bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic-depressive disorder, is a mental condition in which the person alternates between feelings of mania and depression. The occurrence of bipolar disorder has been a mystery since the sixteenth century. History has show that this affliction can appear in almost anyone. Even the great painter Vincent Van Gogh is believed to have suffered from the disease. It is clear that in our society many people live with this disorder, however, we are still waiting for a definite explanation for the causes and a cure. One thing is certain about bipolar disorder; it severely undermines its victim’s ability to maintain social and occupational success in life. Because bipolar disorder has such debilitating symptoms, it is crucial that we remain watchful in the search for answers about its causes and treatments available. Bipolar disorder affects approximately one percent of the population (approximately three million people) in the United States. It occurs in both males and females. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania and depression. These episodes may alternate with profound depressions characterized by a pervasive sadness, almost inability to move, hopelessness, and disturbances in appetite, sleep, and concentrations and driving. Bipolar disorder is diagnosed if an episode of mania occurs whether depression has been diagnosed or not (Goodwin, Guze, 1989, p 11). Most commonly, individuals with manic episodes experience a period of depression. Bipolar disorder is characterized by a great deal of symptoms that can be broken down into two categories: manic and depressive episodes. The manic episodes are characterized by elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, a decrease in a need for sleep, poor judgment and insight, and often reckless and irresp... Free Essays on Bipolar By: Anonymous Childhood-Onset Bipolar Disorder Childhood Onset Bipolar Disorder (COBPD) is one of the most debilitating mental disorders affecting children today. Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder usually affecting adults that causes sometimes severe changes in mood. Childhood Onset Bipolar disorder is just what it sounds like, a bipolar disorder that occurs during childhood. Persons suffering from a bipolar disorder experience mood swings ranging from depression to mania. During a depressive episode patients can experience feelings of extreme hopelessness or sadness, inability to concentrate and trouble sleeping. Symptoms of mania include rapidly changing ideas, exaggerated cheerfulness and excessive physical activity. Hypomanic symptoms are the same as in mania, however, they are not so severe as to require hospitalization. The fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) outlines the diagnostic criteria for mood disorders. According to the DSM-IV, a per son must have at least 5 of the following symptoms during the same 2 week period to qualify as a major depressive episode: a depressed mood lasting most of the day for several days; a significant weight gain or weight loss; a loss of interest in activities; difficulty sleeping (insomnia) or an increased need for sleep (hypersomnia); restlessness or slowed pace observable by others; daily fatigue; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; inability to concentrate; or recurrent thoughts of death. These symptoms can only be diagnosed as a depressed episode if they are not better explained by grief, effects of a drug, or a medical condition. The person experiencing these symptoms must, also report an interference in their daily functioning because of the symptoms. Finally, the person’s symptoms do not meet the criteria for a mixed state. The criteria for a mixed episode state that the person must display symptoms of depression and mania every day... Free Essays on Bipolar bipolar disorder Determining Bipolar Disorder in children is harder then adults because of the mistakes doctor’s make in their diagnosis. All kids have mood swings- is it Bipolar Disorder? Psychologists of today are having problems diagnosing children with Bipolar Disorder because the symptoms are so different from the adult form of the disorder. In children Bipolar Disorder is called â€Å"Child Onset Bipolar Disorder†, known as COBPD (My Child 1). In children the cycling from highs to lows are very fast. Children will cycle between mania and depression many times a day. The episodes of mania or depression are short and rarely go on for more then a day at a time (Childhood 1). Children have longer periods of normal behavior between episodes then adults (Bipolar I Disorder 1). This rapid cycling is called â€Å"ultra-ultra rapid cycling† (My Child 1). â€Å"Ultra-ultra rapid cycling† is mostly associated with the low states in the morning, and then followed by the afternoo n and evening with a high increase in energy (Frequently Asked Questions 1). Children usually have continuous mood changes that are mixes of mania and depression (Sutphen 1). In adult Bipolar Disorder, it is called â€Å"Bipolar Affective Disorder†, known as manic depressive illness (My Child 1). For adults the change from manic to depressed can take months. They often have periods of normal behavior in between their episodes of mania and depression (Bipolar 1). Bipolar Disorder is a biochemical imbalance that causes major mood changes from the highs of mania, to the very lows of depression (My Child 1). Doctors say â€Å"What goes up must come down† with the highs and lows of this disorder, but the cycles are very unpredictable and vary in Determining Bipolar Disorder in children is harder then adults because of the mistakes doctor’s make in their diagnosis. length. The times of depression and mania stages are not equal in time (Basic Terminology 1). In childre n o... Free Essays on Bipolar The history of bipolar disorder itself is over 2000 years old. "Bipolar Illness, or manic depressive disorder, is an ancient disease with descriptions appearing in the biblical Old Testament and in writings from ancient Greece"(El-Mallakh 775). In the last few years, doctors find the probable cause of bipolar disorder is an inherited lack of stability in nerve impulse transmission in the brain. This biochemical brain problem causes people with bipolar disorder to be more susceptible to physical and emotional stresses. Researchers have found several genes that could be linked to the disorder. This may explain why bipolar disorder seems to run in families. Bipolar itself means "two poles" as it is characterized by mood swings. The manic episode begins with increased energy, creativity, and social ease that can easily go into uncontrollable anger, agitation, and feelings of being irritable. The other side of the pole, depression, is a lack of energy, feeling sad, worthlessness, and thoughts of suicide. These mood swings are totally unrelated to things going on in the person's life. Bipolar disorder affects close to 1% of the population of the United States. "As many as one-fifth of the 3 million people in the United States who develop bipolar disorder eventually find the emotional ride intolerable and kill themselves"(Bower 232). "Suicide is, in fact, the second major cause of death worldwide in women between the ages of 15 and 44. Almost all of these suicides are connected to mental illness, and most mental illnesses are treatable"(Jamison 80). People with bipolar disorder experience depressive episodes consisting of sadness, low energy, worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts alternating with manic episodes of euphoria, inflated self-esteem, and high energy levels. This disorder with its mood swings can permanently disable people, and without treatment, one out of five commit suicide. Many people with bipolar disorder are very intelligen...