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 occur a lot more often with in relatives of people with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder results from disturbances in the areas of the brain that regulate your mood.
There are two primary types of bipolar disorder. People with bipolar disorder I have had at least one fully manic episode with periods of major depression. In the past, bipolar disorder was called manic depression.
People with bipolar disorder II seldom experience full-fledged mania. Instead they experience periods of hypomania (elevated levels of energy and impulsiveness that are not as extreme as the symptoms of mania). These hypo manic periods alternate with episodes of major depression.
A mild form of bipolar disorder called cyclothymia involves periods of hypomania and mild depression, with less severe mood swings. People with bipolar disorder II or cyclothymia may be misdiagnosed as having depression alone.
There are different symptoms that may occur when having bipolar disorder. The manic phase may last from days to months and can include the following symptoms:
• Agitation or irritation
• Elevated mood o Hyperactivity o Increased energy o Lack of self-control o Racing thoughts
• Inflated self-esteem (delusions of grandeur, false beliefs in special abilities)
• Little need for sleep
• Over-involvement in activities
• Poor temper control
• Reckless behavior o Binge eating, drinking, and/or drug use o Impaired judgment o Sexual promiscuity o Spending sprees
• Tendency to be easily distracted
These symptoms of mania are seen with bipolar disorder I. In people with bipolar disorder II, hypo manic episodes involve similar symptoms that are less intense.
The depressed phase of both types of bipolar disorder involves very serious symptoms of major depression:
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Eating disturbances o Loss of appetite and weight loss o Overeating and weight gain
• Fatigue or listlessness
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness and/or guilt
• Loss of self-esteem
• Persistent sadness
• Persistent thoughts of death
• Sleep disturbances o Excessive sleepiness o Inability to sleep
• Suicidal thoughts
• Withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed
• Withdrawal from friends
There is a high risk of suicide with bipolar disorder. While in either phase, patients may abuse alcohol or other substances, which can worsen the symptoms. Sometimes there is an overlap between the two phases. Manic and depressive symptoms may occur simultaneously or in quick succession in what is called a mixed state.
A diagnosis of bipolar disorder involves consideration of many factors. The health care provider may do some or all of the following:
• Ask about your family medical history, particularly whether anyone has or had bipolar disorder
• Ask about your recent mood swings and for how long you've experienced them
• Observe your behavior and mood
• Perform a thorough examination to identify or rule out physical causes for the symptoms
• Request laboratory tests to check for thyroid problems or drug levels
• Speak with your family members to discuss their observations about your behavior
• Take a medical history, including any medical problems you have and any medications you take It is also said that the use of recreational drugs may be responsible for some symptoms, though this does not rule out bipolar affective disorder. Drug abuse itself may be a symptom 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…
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…
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…
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…