Investigating Bipolar Disorder: Research Proposal

[Name of the Institute]

Introduction and Literature Review

Review of the literature

Bipolar disorder or manic-depression illness is a psychological disorder characterized by irregular shifts in moods, varying levels of energy, and disarray in activities that are performed on a routine basis. This illness has severe damage on an individual's relationships, professional life, on academic performance that may force a suicidal attempt by the individual. A bipolar patient has severe ups and downs in moods- from depression to mania. Mostly, moods stay normal in between the two extremes. A patient with this disability may put his family and community in considerable distress. Fortunately, the good news is that it can be treated with right medications. A previously bipolar patient can lead a happy and healthy life once treated. The same person will perform better at the job and do well academically. When patient is in state of mania, he has high levels of energy, restlessness and talks a lot. This is the time when unsafe and sometimes hazardous behaviors occur. The patient most likely goes into an emotional or mental spree. Depression, on the other hand is the opposite of mania where the same person starts to feel sad, will cry a lot and become sleep deprived. There are a number of causes that lead to a bipolar disease. People with a blood relation who has bipolar disorder gene may have a high likelihood to develop it in themselves. Experts claim that people with this disorder develop physical changes in their brain. Further, when there is a chemical imbalance in the brain that impedes communication with the neurons could cause bipolar disability. Imbalances in hormones and environmental factors (abuse, loss, mental stress) may also contribute towards the risk of bipolar disease. Once the disease is triggered and starts to grow, it appears to take on life and forces the one of its own.

Signs and symptoms vary in accordance with the type of bipolar disease the patient has. In some episodes of manic and depression there could be psychosis. In this condition the patient is unable to differentiate between fantasy and reality. Sometimes, he may feel delusional when he feels strongly about certain beliefs and at times get hallucinations when he listens or watches things that are not there. Some patients of bipolar may get SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), where mood swings are according to seasons. For instance, during spring and summer he can experience mania, while in autumn he gets depressive. The diagnosing procedure done by a psychiatrist or a psychologist is based on self-reported experiences of the patients, behavior abnormalities seen by the family members, friends, colleagues or teachers or in most cases a thorough checkup and physical tests done including blood and urine tests. The psychological evaluation is the most important diagnosis process for bipolar disorder (Nordqvist,C., 2006).

There are three types of bipolar disease which are Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder and Cyclothymia. In the first kind, the patient may have had one manic episode ...