Effects of Bipolar Disorder on Families

Effects of Bipolar Disorder on Families

Introduction

Bipolar disorder is a condition which includes the alternating episodes of depression along with manic phases. For people with bipolar disorder, it resembles the life of a roller coaster i.e. trapped in the extreme range between unbridled euphoria and absolute depth (Mondimore, 2006). Though, in the majority of patients, the episodes are subjectively linked to a much greater extent with impairments than manic episodes. The perceptive of bipolar disorder has been focused mainly on biological and genetic aspects. The psychotherapy has been established as an essential component of the management of this disorder. However, there is growing evidences that suggest the course of bipolar disorders can be modified by psychotherapeutic approaches (Simon & Unutzer, 2009).

Most people who have the disease can operate normally between disease periods. The continuity of treatment and medication, and to be informed about the disease reduces the risk of getting sick again. Bipolar disease is characterized in the manic periods of extreme or unusual excitement, while the depressive periods instead involve severe depression. Both conditions can occur independently of external causes, but both depressive and manic episodes may be triggered by external stress. The person may suffer from psychosis during both the manic and depressive episodes (Mondimore, 2006).

The disease affects nearly one person out of a hundred. It is about as common in men as in women. It is equally plain of developing a depressive episode in a manic. But over a lifetime often dominates the depressive periods. Each health condition has an impact on people living in close contact with the patient. These are disorders that create a fracture relational, because there is a before and after separate or alternating phases in which relationships repeatedly suffer the collateral damage of the disease (Maj, 2002). The objective of this paper is to review effects of bipolar disorder on families and the different psychotherapeutic approaches used in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Background

Family is the most important and basic part of our lives. It provides the environment in which we are born, grow up, and learn to love. The family is on the good and the bad. This bad, it is often different types of diseases and accidents. The family is an important ally of the person and the doctor. In the face of the disease can sometimes run a force that can help the healing process, increase the chance of the patient to return to the environment, while also help family members cope with the pressures of the disease and its accompanying different emotions (Hirschfeld & Vornik, 2006).

Living near a person with severe mood swings can be stressful. Many relatives feel it very stressful in order to know how to deal with the situations of bipolar disorder. If the entire family has a good relationship with the doctor treating the person with bipolar disorder than it can feel easier (Miklowitz, 2002). Depression often affects the people with a temperament and proactive, successful and with a ...