BIPOLAR SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENTS

Bipolar Disease Symptoms and treatments



Bipolar Symptoms and Treatments

Introduction

At least 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder, more commonly known as manic-depression. This illness usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. Although it may come into affect at any time, most individuals with the disorder experience their first mood episode in their 20's. However, manic-depression quite often strike teenagers and has been diagnosed in children under 12. 1% of the population will have a manic depressive illness. It affects men and women equally, but women are three times more likely to experience rapid cycling. Environmental factors such as death, separation and divorce may trigger the disorder.

Discussion

Bipolar Disorder is a severe psychiatric disorder in which individuals experience alternating highs and lows. History has shown that this affliction can appear in almost anyone. It is clear that in our society many people live with bipolar disorder. However, despite the people suffering from it, we are still waiting for the causes and cure (Ciccarelli 2008).

The one fact of which we are painfully aware is that bipolar disorder severely undermines its victim's ability to obtain and maintain social and occupational success. Because bipolar disorder has such debilitating symptoms, it is imperative that we remain vigilant in the quest for explanations of its causes and treatment.

Causes

 The risk of suicide among persons afflicted with bipolar illness is unrealistically high. As many as 1 in 5 people with this disorder have committed suicide. This rate is nearly 30 times greater than that of the general population. Research suggests that people who commit suicide, whether depressed or not, tend to be more impulsive in their behavior. Manic-depressives, due to their spontaneous nature, are more likely to commit suicide than depressives (Ciccarelli 2008).

And some believe that there is a chemical link between creativity and/or genius and depression. Characteristics of manic-depressive illness and creative accomplishment are very closely similar (Ciccarelli 2008). The ability to function well on a few hours of sleep, the focus needed to work intensely, bold and restless attitudes, and an ability to experience a wide variety of emotions with great depth are all part of creative genius and depression alike (Ciccarelli 2008).

      Manic depression involves alternating episodes of serious mania and depression. An affected person's mood can swing from excessive highs (mania) to deep hopelessness (depression), usually with periods of normal mood in between. Some individuals may display mixed symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time, while others may have fewer symptoms of mania (also referred to as hypomania). The type, severity, and duration of mood episodes may vary (Ciccarelli 2008). Some individuals may experience excessive mania, or excessive depression, and some may experience an equal amount of both. The mood episodes can last for a few days to as long as several months, especially when left untreated or not treated effectively (Ciccarelli 2008).

Usually a person with bipolar disorder can expect an average of ten episodes of either mania or depression in their ...