Abstract
Mental disorders are actual health conditions that are defined as alterations in ones thinking, mood, or behavior that is associated with distress and/or some impaired functioning. Bipolar disorder also known as manic-depressive illness is characterized by a dysfunction of mood, alternating between states of mania and depression. The cause of bipolar disorder is unknown but, a mixture of factors seems to play a role. Genetic, neurochemical and also environmental factors interact at many different levels to influence the onset as well as the continuing progression of this disorder. Although we do not have a concrete cure for this disorder there are numerous treatments available to help aid with the negative symptoms of this disorder such as pharmacological, psychotherapy, and ECT.
Mental disorders are actual health conditions that are defined as alterations in ones thinking, mood, or behavior that is associated with distress and/or some impaired functioning (Malhi&Adams, 2010). Having a psychological disorder does not necessarily mean that a person who is diagnosed has a disability, yet in a lot of the cases the condition can become severe enough to be disabling (Townsend & Altshuler, 2012).
Bipolar disorder also known a n s manic-depressive illness is characterized by a dysfunction of mood, alternating between states of mania and depression (Malhi &Adams, 2010). Mania includes racing thoughts, grandiose delusions and marked lack of cognitive judgment. Approximately 2.3 million American adults are affected which is about 1.2 percent of the entire U.S. population (Kraguljac et al., 2012). When people become depressed, they may feel sad or hopeless and lose interest or pleasure in most of their normal activities. In contrast, when their mood shifts in the other direction they may then feel euphoric and full of energy (Townsend & Altshuler, 2012). The exact cause of bipolar disorder is actually unknown but, a mixture of factors seems to play a role. Genetic, neurochemical and also environmental factors will interact at many different levels to influence the onset and/or progression of the bipolar disorders (Frances & Jones, 2012). Researchers have begun to uncover that certain abnormalities in the brain’s networks could be a more predominant factor in the development of bipolar and other mood disorders. Another possible cause of such disorders that has received a great deal of attention by researchers is that of the imbalance of chemicals in the brain which transmit messages from one nerve cell to another (Townsend & Altshuler, 2012). These are known as the neurotransmitters, causing such things like the dramatic mood swings affiliated with the condition.
The neurotransmitters which are most commonly associated with the mood disorders include the monoamines (which are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine), GABA , and glutamate(Frances & Jones, 2012).With these neurotransmitters, several things can go wrong with the actual transmitting process, including an overabundance of them or lack of a certain neurotransmitter or a premature shutdown of the release of neurotransmitter molecules. All these transmission issues cause significant changes in mood stability which can be a major role in the development of bipolar disorder (Frances & Jones, 2012).
Researchers believe that a low production level of a specific neurotransmitter such as dopamine or serotonin followed by a high production level may be the direct cause of the mood fluctuation associated with the disorder. Others believe that changes in the sensitivity of the receptors on the nerve cells are the cause (Kraguljac et al., 2012).Because of the connection between the neurotransmitters with symptoms of Bipolar disorder it can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives.
One of the most common treatments used to regulate the neurotransmitters and prevent episodes of bipolar disorder
Bipolar Disorder is very serious constant roller coaster of depressing lows and elevated highs. Both lows and highs are extreme. Vincent Van Gogh was thought to have bipolar disorder. He suffered from episodes of depression that took weeks to come out of, at one low point he cut off his own ear. In his moments of extreme elation he was known to make amazing artwork and be an evangelist. Bipolar disorder is lifelong there is not a cure but there are ways to manage. Meditation has proved to be helpful;…
Bipolar Disorder For many years, several America’s have suffered from bipolar disorder. It is more commonly known as manic-depression. This illness usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness in which a person’s mood alternates between extreme mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is much less common than depression. Many people with bipolar disorder function normally between episodes. Although this disorder can be frustrating…
Bipolar Disorder also known as manic depressive disorder is associated with mood swings that range from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. When depressed, there may be feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and loss of interest most activities. When the mood shift occurs in the other direction, feelings may be euphoric and full of energy. Mood shifts may occur as little as a few times a year, or as often as several times a day. In some cases, Bipolar Disorder causes symptoms of depression…
Bipolar Disorder Catherine Vick PSY350: Physiological Psychology Wayne Briner March 1, 2015 Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is characterized by transitions between depression and mania or hypomania depending on the severity. Individuals who experience manic episodes also experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood, but in some individuals…
Etiology: “Bipolar disorder, also known 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” (National Institute of Mental Health). Bipolar disorder symptoms vary from person to person. A person suffering from bipolar disorder may experience relationship problems, poor school and work performance, and even suicide thoughts or attempts. Currently there are four types of bipolar disorder. I’m focusing…
Topic: Bipolar Disorder Introduction: I would like to go back about ten years ago, my mother claimed she hadn’t been sleeping, so we had a doctor’s appointment scheduled to see if there was anything we could do. She asked my dad if he had everything he wanted to discuss with the doctor, when he answered, she said, “the doctor’s going to be mad at me…” My dad asked her why, and she shows him her wrist. There was blood running rapidly from her wrist, down her hand and onto the floor. My dad fainted…
Bipolar Disorder BEH/225 Axia University of Phoenix Bipolar disorder involves periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt. Some alternative names for bipolar disorder are manic depression and bipolar affective disorder. Bipolar disorder actually affects men and women equally. It usually appears between the ages of 15-25. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is actually unknown, but it seems to…
the same disorder. Symptoms Symptoms in bipolar depression include: depressed mood and low self-esteem, excessive crying spells, low energy levels and an apathetic view of life, sadness, loneliness, helplessness, feelings of guilt, slow speech, fatigue, and poor coordination and concentration, insomnia or oversleeping, thoughts of suicide or dying, changes in appetite (overeating/not eating), unexplainable aching, lack of interest or pleasure in usual activities. Symptoms in bipolar mania include:…
Bipolar Disorder Composition II October 27, 2012 Bipolar Disorder (BPD) is a psychological mood disorder where patients suffer severe mood swings. Many sufferers feel hopeless and confused the majority of the time. They feel like everyone is against them and stay away from social settings. A lot of people without the disorder believe it’s not a real mental disability. And feel that the ones who claim to have BPD are just pretending to be sick to get attention from others. With the…
Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a mental disease that causes severe high and low moods. It’s called bipolar because the individual with this disease switches between two emotions or “poles”. The person will experience normal moods when not on one of these poles. The period when the person feel too excited or confident is called “mania”. The period when the person is depressed is called “depressive”. These mood swings could happen a few times a week or many times a day. Symptoms…