Bipolar Disorder: High Aspirations and Expectations Caused by Mania

Bipolar disorder is defined by two drastic stages of mind: mania and depression. During episodes of major depression, a person is unable to go about daily activities and socialization. This is because when people suffer from depression, they are ridden with feelings of hopelessness. Contrarily, episodes of mania entail euphoric feelings. People who suffer from manic episodes may feel invincible, which will lead to big splurges and periods of feeling capable of accomplishing a tremendous amount of things. When these two drastically different moods are paired together, it becomes bipolar disorder. There are different types of bipolar disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the types of bipolar disorders are defined by the “extent of severity, the types of the symptoms, and the duration of the symptoms.” (Gooding, 2009, p. 1). In Bipolar I Disorder, mania is experienced fully, whereas in Bipolar II Disorder, mania is experienced less intensely. In Bipolar II Disorder, people suffer from hypo manic episodes. Another subtype of bipolar disorder is cyclothymia, which is a case of mild mood swings. Those who suffer from cyclothymia experience the polar moods in mild dosages, and in shorter or more distanced periods. The DSM-IV suggests that Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of cyclothymia (Gooding, 2009, p. 1). Studies indicate that genetics play an important role in having bipolar disorder. According to Salem Health Genetics, studies on have been conducted on the relation of bipolar disorder and biologically related family. Although it is clear that this disorder is passed on genetically, studies have not found the reason or pattern (McCoy, 2010, p. 1). However, there have been specific genes that have been linked to bipolar disorder, which confirms that genes play a role in inheritance. "Over the past decade, a series of findings suggest that people with bipolar disorder have high levels of reward sensitivity. A growing body of evidence suggests that people with bipolar disorder are highly goal-oriented. " (Meyer, Johnson, & Winters, 2001). These studies consist of studies relied on the self- report Behavioral Approach system scales. People with bipolar disorder seem to have high self esteem and feel that they can accomplish anything. Being that, they aspire to achieve great things, and sometimes unrealistic tasks. The rise of these behaviors and psycho-physiological measures of sensitivity have put students at risk for mania. The increase of the reward sensitivity has found to be considered manic symptoms fluctuate. During the manic episode, people with bipolar disorder have a higher value for goals than your average non diagnosed person. These manic symptoms may include increasing goals and taking on new projects. A person going through a manic episode lifestyle at that time may be considered frantic, busy, impulsively or enthusiastic. Activities that may occur during this phase would be high-risk behaviors such as: spending sprees, impulsive sex and business investment. These would be consider things that one may not do on a daily basis. Attaining reward and reaching high goals is valuable to one with the disorder because it contributes to their self worth. (Johnson, Carver, & Gotlib, 2011) Soon Johnson and Carter created the Willingly Approached Set of Statistically Unlikely Pursuits, also known as the WASSUP. (2006) The WASSUP is a 30-item self report measure on extremely ambitious goals. You choose a response on a scale from one to five. One being; I have no chance in setting this goal for myself, to five; I will definitely set this goal for myself and achieve it. In previous research, persons at risk for mania and those diagnosed with bipolar spectrum disorder have endorsed high aspirations on the Popular Fame and Financial Success subscales (Carver, & Johnson, 2006).