Bipolar I Disorders: A Case Study

(Müller-Oerlinghausen, Berghöfer & Bauer, 2002). More importantly, It should be noted that controversy has arisen over the exact reasons individuals suffer from bipolar disorder, where it still remains somewhat unclear (Leahy, 2007). Although ambiguous, researchers have established that bipolar disorder results from a multifaceted interaction of genetic and environmental factors (Demjaha, MacCabe & Murray, 2011) in sum, several things are said to be correlated with origin and maintenance of Bipolar disorder. This literature review will examine the biopsychosocial model approach. Examining biological, environmental and psychological under pinning’s in the diagnoses and classification of mental illness.

The memoir presents a strong descriptive view on how bipolar 1 disorder affects not only the patient but also the family members. As discussed in class, twin studies revealed that when one twin has bipolar disorder, the other twin is 40% more likely to also have a bipolar disorder. This suggests that there is some genetic linkage for bipolar disorder, and this percentage is rather high. Based on the textbook, many researchers have identified genes on certain chromosomes that are responsible for bipolar disorder. In light of the book, we can see that there is a predominant fear from the author that this very genetic linkage may be the reason why his fear that Sally’s bipolar disorder is partly inherited within the family like Steve.

Bipolar disorder affects approximately 3 million American adults each year. Although there are many suffering from the disorder, doctors are still uncertain as to what causes bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be found in men and women equally. In most cases, it begins between ages 15 – 25 but it is usually initially misdiagnosed in younger patients. The precise cause is still unknown, but due to the fact that, “two-thirds of bipolar patients have a family history of affective or emotional disorders, researchers have searched for a genetic link to the disorder” (Ford-Martin & Olde, 2005, p.229). Studies have discovered numerous potential genetic connections to the tendency for bipolar disorder. Another possible biological cause under investigation is the existence of an extreme calcium build-up in the cells of bipolar patients. Also, dopamine and other neurochemical transmitters are being investigated, as they seem to be connected to bipolar disorder (Basile, 2005, p.167).

This source gives the readers an in-depth overview of Bipolar Disorder and the causes of having the mental health issue. There’s a great distinction between the ups and downs people experience and bipolar disorder. Due to the ups and downs teens and children experience, bipolar disorder is hard to diagnose during those early years. The National Center of Biotechnology Information’s research program is run by Senior Investigators, Tenure Track Investigators, Staff Scientists, and Postdoctoral Fellows which makes the source credible. The source contained

Understanding the etiology of a child or adolescent diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder may allow a practitioner, researcher, parent or teacher an acute clarity of the diagnosis. Carlsons et al. (2009), intent for research was to reaffirm and decipher the multiplicity of descriptions for children and adolescents diagnosed with Early Onset Bipolar Disorder. While, Youngstrom (2009) identified the development of the “Tripartite Model” a high level of negative affect outweighing the positive affect creating anxiety and depression. The DSM provides us with the symptoms for Bipolar Disorder, yet the clarity in early onset leaves a vacancy. Although I may agree with the modality of Youngstrom (2009) I also conform with Carlsons et al. (2009) findings. We need to begin by reviewing biology, neurology, pharmacotherapy, prodromes and psychosocial behavior to find the comorbidity of any behavior disorders to provide adequate data with work groups.

During interviews the following discussed the issue of his bipolar disorder. He reported that he has never had manic symptoms. He reported that he frequently feels as if his mind is racing. The father reported that he enjoys riding and racing motorcycle because it gives him a “rush”. He stated that he has stopped riding his motorcycle. Mr. LePape reported that he receives that same rush from running his restaurant, he stated that he is always thinking about work issues.

The use of drugs can be the most efficient method of treating Bipolar disorder; different types of drugs have been successful in easing the main symptoms; Mood stabilisers, antipsychotics and anticonvulsant are the main treatment types used. Lithium Carbonate is a first-line treatment in bipolar disorder as it is a long-term method of treatment for episodes of mania, hypomania and depression. Lithium can often subdue symptoms when a patient is in the midst of a manic episode, and it may also ameliorate the symptoms of a depressive episode. The single most important use for lithium, nonetheless, is in preventing new episodes of mania and depression. Lithium’s mechanism of action on the brain is still unknown; However, It has been speculated

The mental health disorder Bipolar I is expressed as a manic depressive illness where people tend to go through unusual and extreme mood changes (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). The DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) express that anxious distress, rapid cycling, peripartum onset, mixed, catatonic, melancholic, and atypical features all affect the DSM criteria. (Forbes, 2017) The process of diagnosing, or being diagnosed with this disorder requires being able to identify the symptoms accurately and effectively.

Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder are both mental illnesses that are debilitating. Normal functioning becomes increasingly difficult as either disorder takes hold of the mind and impacts every facet of the patient’s life. With an increased risk of suicide, they can even lead to an early death. Studies continue on both genetic and environment influences in mental disorders, but neuroscientific research finds out more with each study about how the brain impacts our mental abilities and inabilities. As research opens doors, better treatments can be explored and developed with both medication and psychotherapy. Biological information on mental illness can also help remove the stigma associated with mental illness that tends to belittle the importance of treatment. The more individuals who seek treatment, the more lives who can be positively impacted and even saved. This paper will take a look at several studies that have been performed regarding Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. Each study deals with biological issues and their impacts on mental illness.

For example, Mrs. Brown has a twin brother who has been diagnosed with a major depression meaning she had more that 70 per cent chance of developing bipolar disorder as it runs in the first-degree relatives according to the identical twin studies (Elder et al., 2013). She had had her first depressive episode at the age of 45. Furthermore, psychosocial factors can contribute in the development of the bipolar disorder such as Mrs. Brown was growing up in the abusing environment and then later had an abusive relationship. Considering Mrs. Brown’s the medical history of hypertension as hypertensive medication can cause depression. Severe or major depressive episode occurred when Mrs. Brown was exposed to the severe stress such as a death of her friend (O’Brien, 2013).

However, individuals that are genetic carriers are more susceptible to have the disorder manifest, triggered by stressors or trauma in life. Repeated studies have found a strong positive correlation between childhood trauma and abuse and bipolar disorder, with 48% of adults diagnosed with bipolar having experienced some form of abuse during childhood. Trauma and abuse act as a catalyst to the genetic predisposition of bipolar disorder. Children with the genetic predisposition that experience abuse may develop early onset manifestation of the disorder, however, go undiagnosed until adulthood (Wegbreit et al., 2015). Evidence supports individuals with strong social support (e.g. family, significant others, friends, support network) are more likely to have less manic/depressive episodes, whereas in contrast, those with negative support (high expressed emotion) are high predictors of more manic/depressive episodes and pose a higher risk for suicide and psychosis (Johnson et al., 2000, p.

Bipolar disorder is a manic-depressive disease; it is a brain disorder which sources uncommon changes in energy, mood, ability to do daily activities and activity levels. The symptoms are normally severe as they lead to poor performance in jobs and schools. Bipolar disorders can be cured and the sick people can have useful lives. Scientists and experts are reviewing the causes of the disease and they tend to agree there is no solitary cause. There are many factors which lead up to the illness and risk.

The DSM-5 is a comprehensive classification guide to mental disorders and is meant to serve practitioners with useful information in the recognition and diagnosis of mental disorders. The criterion provided in the DSM-5 gives a comprehensive, and useful guide to aid in the diagnostic, recognition, and comorbidity factors related to a bipolar diagnosis (BP). The most common factor associated with a BP diagnosis according to the American Psychiatric Association (2013), is distinct manic-depressive episodes characterized by abnormally fluctuating moods that are deleterious to an individual’s ability to function in life (p.123-139). However, the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM Task Force) states (2006), “Despite this clear delineation, most clinicians find that their mood-disordered patients experience a range…of patterns except for certain “textbook cases” (p. 108). Despite the seeming clear criterion for BP, it may still be difficult to recognize due to the mixed features it presents in

Each of the different colleagues that did this study has each come up with their own idea/stages of how bipolar becomes present in an individual.. What is known is that bipolar sometimes has a genetic component and can run in families (WebMD, 2015). Even though a family can have multiple children, only one might end up with this disorder. They are all growing up in the same environment as each other. But all of the individuals are not the same, they all might have different life style choices and have different genes then the other siblings. Maybe the gene with the bipolar disorder is not triggered with one of the individuals that makes better life style choice, while the one that does have this disorder might smoke and make bad life style choices. Simple little things can trigger the onset of this disorder. Something that triggers it for one person might have absolutely no impact on another individual. Everyone is different and reacts different to different scenarios.

Bipolar disorder has become more prevalent in the United States, particularly Bipolar Disorder II, which accounts for 30-50% of patients with depression (Thomas & Hersen, 2002). Historically bipolar was known as manic depression (Thomas & Hersen, 2002). According to National Institute of Mental Health (n. d.) “Most scientists agree that there is no single cause, rather many factors that act together to produce the illness or increase the risk” (NIMH, n. d.) Some of those factors can be family, workplace, and environmental stressors along with some precipitants such as: history of past suicide, medical issues, interpersonal conflicts, disputes, job related failure (Thomas & Hersen, 2002). On the other hand, DSM IV categorizes bipolar according to severity, duration, and quality of presenting manic symptoms (Thomas & Hersen, 2002). Its believed that the onset of Bipolar diagnosis is mid 20’s (NIMH, n. d.).