Bipolar Disorder | EssayIvy.com

Running Head: BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar Disorder

Name:

Institution:

Date:

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Introduction

Bipolar disorder (BD) is also referred to as manic-depressive illness; BD is a human-

related brain disorder that mostly causes uncommon shifts in energy, moods, and a person’s

ability to function properly (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). The symptoms of BD are

more severe and extreme from affects person’s normal. The illness can lead to strained

relationships, poor workmanship, poor academic performance, and suicidal tendencies.

Nonetheless, BD can successfully be treated and allow the patient to ultimately lead a productive

and/or normal life (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Over 5.8 million Americans aged over 18 years, suffer from bipolar disease in any given

year; this represents almost 2.6% of the total population. BD normally starts in late adolescence

and/or early adulthood (Green, 2006). Still, some patients have shown initial BD symptoms from

their childhood, whereas some have shown such symptoms late in their adulthood. Individuals

may suffer BD unknowingly for many years prior to its diagnosis and treatment. Similar to heart

diseases and diabetes, BD is considered as a long-term illness that ought to be carefully and

critically managed in the course of a person’s life.

Associated Behavior

Bipolar disorder leads to melodramatic back and forth mood swings, mostly from

exceedingly irritable and/or high states to abrupt states of sadness and/or hopelessness with

periods of normalcy in between and vice versa. The mood swings are usually characterized by

severe changes in behavior and energy. Such high and low periods are known as mania and

depression episodes respectively (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

BIPOLAR DISORDER

A mild to a temperate level of mania is known as hypomania. Notably, hypomania might

feel good to a person who experiences it besides; it can even be connected to proper functioning

and improved productivity (Green, 200). Consequently, even when relatives and friends may

attribute the mood swings to BD, the person may well disagree and contend he/she is normal.

Untreated hypomania condition can lead to severe mania or it can advance into depression.

Occasionally, severe episodes of depression or mania can include evident psychotic

symptoms (psychosis) for instance: hallucinations where a person sees, hears or senses wild

things which are actually not there. Secondly, psychotic symptoms can include delusions which

relate to strong and false beliefs held by a person and not influenced by any logical reasoning

and/or explained by an individual’s normal cultural concepts (American Psychiatric Association,

2013). Such psychotic symptoms in BD appear to reveal the different mood state present at the

time. For instance, grandiosity delusions where a person believes he/she is a president, wealthy,

or is bestowed special powers; might be revealed during mania (Griswold, 2010). Whereas,

delusions related to worthlessness or guilt, like believing that he or she is penniless and ruined or

has actually committed a particular dreadful crime, may well be revealed during depression.

People having such symptoms might sometimes be mistakenly diagnosed as suffering from

schizophrenia or other mental illnesses (Green, 2006).

Range of Impairment

As early discussed, bipolar disorder or manic-depressive illness, is largely characterized

by changing periods of extreme highs and lows or episodes of mania and major depression which

last for hours, days, or months. Patients might be prone to mania, depression, or neutral levels of

both (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Implications on Society

Bipolar disorder’s negative effects are far-reaching and life-threatening both to the

patient, family/relatives, friends, and the larger society (Green, 2006). It affects school

performance, physical health, workplace productivity, relationships, among other key aspects of

a normal daily life (Holt, 2012). For instance; in the early 1990s, productivity losses owing to

bipolar disease averaged $16 billion yearly in the U.S. Sadly, suicide is considered the most

terminal effect of BD; it is estimated that almost 25% to 50% of bipolar disorder patients attempt

suicide whereas 11% of them actually commit suicide(Griswold, 2010).

First, nursing a BD patient entails persistent learning on how to take care or manage the

disruptions because of the psychotic symptoms (Green, 2006). Supporting the patient to full

recovery or adapting to care-giving routines can strain a family financially or psychologically

depending on the severity of the illness. Mild mood swings can lead to distress amongst the

family members; hence, the family ought to quickly learn appropriate coping strategies.

Secondly, acute stages of BD for instance the mania stage, can lead to inappropriate and risky

behaviors which contribute to a person’s feelings of guilt, shame, humiliation, and

embarrassment. Involving police, social services and/or emergency services during such crisis

amplifies such feelings and may ultimately lead to financial and legal repercussions (Griswold,

2010).

Thirdly, BD can strain relationships especially family and friends units. People might

naturally alienate the patient as they might not understand or misconstrue the patient’s behavior

(Holt, 2012). Early diagnosis, treatment, and taking care of a bipolar patient are paramount, since

lack of the same can lead to more confusion and negative effects on otherwise close

BIPOLAR DISORDER

relationships. Cases of divorce as well as family/friends’ separation are increasingly being

reported (Holt, 2012). In other cases, the social services might take the bipolar children from

their parents’ care which eventually leads to greater levels of distress to the parents affecting

their mental health.

Reduced levels of performance become evident when the illness advances in severity. BD

patient eventually become incapacitated and can be dismissed from work or school since their

performance is considered unsatisfactory (Griswold, 2010). In school or at work, they might be

considered as unacceptable risk and unreliable despite their energy because of their retarded

behavior. The loss of meaningful employment due to the mental condition has rippling effects to

the person, family, and the society (Holt, 2012). Since, the person losses his/her source of

income and in some cases the loss of medical insurance which they passionately need by then to

support the family or treat the disease as it advances. After dismissal from employment, the

person might find it hard to secure alternative employment given the reason for leaving the

organization.

Treatment Options

Currently, the contemporary treatment options for BD cover medications,

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), and psychotherapy (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Proper and timely treatment can lead to stabilization of psychomatic symptoms even in patients

with advanced/acute forms of BD. To determine the best treatment alternatives, physicians must

examine the patient’s magnitude of the illness and prescribe treatment correctly based on the

prevalent symptoms (Leibenluft, 2009 & Griswold, 2010). Mood stabilizers like valproic acid

and lithium are widely used as the mainstay drugs to treat bipolar disorder since they control

BIPOLAR DISORDER

hypomanic and manic episodes. They can be used for longer periods of time to stabilize patient’s

moods; thus, it is vital for those close to the patient to learn and monitor any mood swings and be

cautious of any comments with any suicidal tendency/inclination. Alternative medications can

include the antipsychotic drugs like olanzapine which is meant to manage persistent depression

or mania symptoms (Stahl, 2010 & Holt, 2012). The patient can use antidepressants to manage

depression plus anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepines which is meant to control anxiety

as well as improve sleep mostly on a short-term basis (Stahl, 2010).

Secondly, psychotherapy can prove to be a valuable alternative of BD treatment. One

option in therapy is Psychotherapy which can be conducted in a group setting or individually.

Psychotherapeutic BD treatment concentrates on many facets of the illness (Griswold, 2010). For

instance; education regarding bipolar disorder, providing support and care to BD patient, and

how to increase life as well as stress-coping skills to manage the illness (Thase, 2000).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a second viable option in therapy treatment as it concentrates on

challenging the beliefs and thoughts which are part of BD. Others can include family therapy

which entails patient’s family and friend support. While, social rhythm therapy seeks to create

strong, predictable routine in a BD patient’s life to eventually enhance mood stability. Lastly, on

self-help groups can assist offer continuous support to the patient; they can include faith- or

community-based groups (Holt, 2012).

Thirdly, Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) or shock therapy is another treatment option

for bipolar disease. It is thought to be more safer and effective method in treating bipolar mania,

depression, mixed-moods, as well as patients having psychotic or rapid-cycling features. A study

done revealed that almost 78% of 400 patients treated using ECT showed substantial, clinical

improvement (Griswold, 2010). Additionally, in another it was shown that patient who failed to

BIPOLAR DISORDER

respond to medication responded positively to ECT treatment. In most cases ECT is adopted as a

short-term BD treatment covering 8 to 12 sessions specifically to stabilize the patient. It can be

used alongside medication and some patients can be subjected to periodic ECT treatments for

long. Brief memory lapses must be considered as the patient undergoes ECT (Thase, 2000).

BIPOLAR DISORDER

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders

(DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.

Green, M. F. (2006). Cognitive impairment and functional outcome in schizophrenia and bipolar

disorder. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 67(10), 1-478.

Griswold, K. S. & Pessar L. F. (2010) Management of bipolar disorder. American Family

Physician, 69, 1343

Holt, J. R., Taylor, P. & Wilkinson, G. B. (2012) Bipolar disorder in adolescence: Diagnosis and

treatment. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 24, 348-358

Leibenluft, E. & Suppes, T. (2009) Treating bipolar illness: Focus on treatment of algorithms

and management f the sleep-wake cycle. The American Journal of Psychology, 156,

1976-1982

Stahl, S. M., & Stahl, S. M. (2000). Essential psychopharmacology of depression and bipolar

disorder. Cambridge university press.

Thase M. E., Sachs G. S. (2000). Bipolar depression: pharmacotherapy and related therapeutic

strategies. Biological Psychiatry, 48(6): 558-72.

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."