Bipolar Disorder
Mental illness has plagued human kind for as long as we have been on this earth. The science of psychology has made great strides in past century. The stigma of being mentally ill has begun to fall away and people are finally starting to get the help that they need to recover. Bipolar disorder is one illness that we have come to more fully understand. Through assistance from a psychiatrist, family and medication a patient with bipolar disorder can enter remission and live a normal life. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder (MDD), affects people of all races, colors, and economic backgrounds. Approximately two million Americans aged 18 and older are affected by this disorder.
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Also, the patient 's thyroid status should be assessed. A University of North Carolina study has proved that depression is three times more likely for those with hypothyroidism than those with normal thyroid function (Dranov).
Psychiatrists must do a full psychiatric evaluation in order to diagnose a patient with bipolar disorder. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV is used for diagnosis; the DSM-IV criteria for bipolar disorder must be met in order to diagnose a patient. Tools such as scales are very helpful in aiding of the diagnosis of the patient. Scales are a series of questions relating to the disorder in question and according to the score, clinicians can either confirm or rule out a diagnosis. Typical scales for bipolar disorder are: Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Montgomery-Asberg Depression rating scale (MADRS), and The Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF) (Psychiatry). When scales are repeated during the course of treatment, efficacy of medication can be assessed. As MDD patients are historically under-reporters of symptoms, it may be helpful for a close loved one to accompany the patient to treatment. Patients may also not recognize the extent of their behavior and it helps to have a secondary report (Butler).
Treatment options
Medication is the first line of defense in treating bipolar disorder. Traditionally, lithium was the drug of choice for bipolar patients. Though lithium is still used
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)
Bipolar disorder, also commonly referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual and heightened swings in a person’s mood, energy level, and ability to function. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can be severe and therefore, they are quite different from the normal shifts in mood that everyone goes through on a daily basis. The effects of bipolar disorder can result in broken relationships, poor performance at work or school, self-mutilation, and even suicide. However, in most instances, bipolar disorder can be treated and people with this illness can lead normal and productive lives with the help of medication and therapy.
Thankfully, there are various treatments and therapies, which can help manage bipolar disorder in an individual. Since all patents are different, experimenting with multiple treatments is always a good idea, to help figure out what will work best for them. Medication is a main and most popular route, including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants (“National Institute of Mental Health”). Unfortunately, medications can have their downsides and often getting the patient to regularly take their medication is one of the biggest challenges. Another option for the patient to consider is psychotherapy. This includes different kinds of verbal therapy such as cognitive and behavioral therapy (“Bipolar Disorder”). Therapy is not only helpful for the affected person but also can help the family cope. Lifestyle changes such as healthier lifestyle, organized schedule, and the limitation of alcohol and drug consumption, can contribute to managing this disorder. Overall though, this disorder affects everyone differently, and the patent needs to consult a doctor and psychiatrist to figure out what will help them handle their symptoms the most
Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that is characterized by changes in mood. It can lead to risky behavior, damage relationships and careers, and even suicidal outcomes if it’s not treated. Bipolar disorder is more common in older teenagers and young adults, it can affect children as young as 6. Women experience more periods of depression than men. More remains to be learned about this condition that affects millions of people.
In order for an individual to be distinguished as having bipolar disorder, they have to meet the requirements in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM says that they must fit into one of the types of bipolar disorder previously mentioned, which means that even though a person may not fit into Bipolar I, Bipolar II, or Cyclothymia, they can still fit into the NOS or Not Otherwise Specified category ("Bipolar Disorder" Mayoclinic). There are several ways to medically determine if one has bipolar disorder like, physical exams with measuring height and weight along with recording one's vital signs, lab tests, a psychological evaluation, and mood charting ("Bipolar Disorder" Mayoclinic). Lab tests can include
Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness that requires treatment. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes drastic emotional changes and mood swings. Transmutations in mood can range from manic highs, to depressive lows. Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that can lead to dangerous demeanors. These may be things such as cutting or inflicting harm to one’s self. Patients will spend 3 times more days depressed than in a manic state. Due to the variations in episodes, Bipolar may be difficult to diagnose. Along with ADHD Bipolar conventionally begins in adolescent adults it can transpire earlier or later in life. Bipolar disorder can run in families. Men and women are equally likely to have Bipolar. Women are more likely to have rapid cycling. Women additionally incline to spend more time depressed than men do. People, who abuse alcohol or other drugs, and some apprehensiveness disorders, like (PTSD post-traumatic stress disorders are more likely to have bipolar disorder. Medications have been very effective in treating this disorder like Quetiapine and Lamotrigine along with clinical therapy. This disorder causes damage to relationships and life’s work and sometimes-suicidal thoughts.
This disease is life long, even when you feel better treatment is still needed. When you seek help from your doctor medication is prescribed to level your mood, when successful the doctor will discuss long-term approaches. Seeking counseling can help, there’s also psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy or transcranial magnetic stimulation. If you want to take a natural approach there’s alternative medicine, the more common ones are Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Magnesium, and St. Johns Wort. There are many ways to get help and seek treatment and the sooner the better before this disease gets
There is a dark stigma surrounding mental illness in general, and bipolar disorder is no exception. According to the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia, a stigma is “a mark of disgrace that sets someone apart.” Bipolar disorder is incredibly misunderstood by society at large, which leads to this stigma, prejudice, and discrimination. In everyday conversation, the word “bipolar” is frequently used to describe how someone is feeling at that moment. If a person is sad one moment and
There is a dark stigma surrounding mental illness in general, and bipolar disorder is no exception. According to the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia, a stigma is “a mark of disgrace that sets someone apart.” Bipolar disorder is incredibly misunderstood by society at large, which leads to this stigma, prejudice, and discrimination. In everyday conversation, the word “bipolar” is frequently used to describe how someone is feeling at that moment. If a person is sad one moment and becomes happy soon after, their mood swing is labelled as “bipolar.”
Bipolar Disorder is one of many depressive disorders which affect the way your brain functions. Depressive disorders are very common in fact, about 1 out of 7 people are diagnosed with a depressive disorder each year. So chances are that you know someone that has it whether it is a family member, friend, or coworker. Bipolar disorder goes by many different names, but they are all the same disorder. Some of these include: manic depressive-disorder, bipolar mood disorder, and bipolar affective disorder.
Bipolar Disorder, also known as manic- depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes out of the ordinary shifts in a person’s mood, energy and having the ability to do everyday tasks. Bipolar affects millions of people every year (1 % of population) per year. This particular type of disorder does not only affect one particular person, it also affects the people around them (family, friends). Bipolar disorder was discovered in 1875 by a man of the name of Jules Falret and was able to establish a link between depression, suicide and somewhat moods which were filled with joy, excitement and happiness . As the disorder was discovered he was able to determine that there was a link within families which meant that this disorder was a genetic link. Bipolar throughout time has struggled in the early ages as people did not believe that it was a legitimate illness as two moods seemed impossible for that period of time and it almost seemed fake. In the 1980’s the term “bipolar” replaced the term manic- depressive disorder as a diagnostic term. Since the discovery of Bipolar disorder researchers, doctors and Psychologists have come a long way in fully understanding the different types of moods that an individual can achieve and how they can be diagnosed. Bipolar once was confused with now known as other mental disorders such as unipolar depression ( ‘depression without mania is sometimes referred to as unipolar because the mood remains at one emotional state or
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, affects roughly 5.7 million people in the United States. Compare this to depression, which affects 14.8 million people in the United States and Schizophrenia, which affects nearly 2.2 million people in the United States you can see that bipolar disorder only affects a tiny percentage of the American population. In fact, you may even know people that have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Some of these people include: President Theodore Roosevelt, Mel Gibson, Kurt Cobain, Ernest Hemingway, and Demi Lovato. Even though Bipolar affects a minority of the population in the United States it still can impact the peers of the individuals who suffer from Bipolar Disorder and the stigma that surrounds Bipolar Disorder needs to be changed.
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness that requires lifelong management to be maintained. Another term frequently used for bipolar disorder is manic-depression. This stems from the extreme mood changes of highs and lows that are categorized in this disorder, as the person is usually depressed but will go through manic episodes. Although this is a chronic illness a person with BPD will at times seem symptom-free. The symptom-free person will still need to continue with their medication regimen and therapy as prescribed to maintain the disorder and prevent a relapse. Considering the effects of this mental illness the person with BPD will experience problems with maintaining personal relationships and have occupational difficulties. Suicide attempts are common for this disorder, and a great number of people with BPD will attempt suicide, at least, one time during their life. (Halter, 2014).