Bipolar Disorder
This is some research that I've done recently. All credits go to www.Answers.com and its many sources. I hope this is informative for the readers.
Introduction
Bipolar disorder, previously known as "manic depression" or in ancient Greek literature as "Black Bile", is an anxiety disorder that has been named the 6th most dysfunctional disorders by the WHO. Bipolar disorder features an additional state of mania in addition to the typical "down" or "depressed" state found in clinical depression. In the past, research findings dating from ancient
Etiology (causes) and Epidemiology
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), "There is no single cause for bipolar disorder—rather, many factors act together to produce the illness." Although there may be specific items or persons that can cause a bipolar sufferer to go into a mood swing, there is no major cause of this disorder. There is even claim that bipolar disorder may be caused by genetic factors.
Bipolar disorder normally occurs or starts to develop in the adolescent years of an individual and is equally prevalent in both genders. When the individual goes through a very stressful life change, he or she may experience the first major depressive period. This may well be the first inkling to the start of bipolar disorder or clinical depression. Please note that at the moment, clinical depression and bipolar disorder are classified as two different disorders. Although seemingly related, bipolar and clinical depression has one major difference: bipolar sufferers go through an additional state of mania. The individual suffering from bipolar disorder, after going through the first major depressive period, will show signs of periods of "euphoria" and "extremely energetic" while going through major depressive periods at intervals. Although bipolar disorder normally develops at an adolescent age, there are also cases where an individual starts to show signs from an early age of life.
From evidence-based research, many studies have found that mood swings in bipolar disorder are subject to the similar items as in clinical depression. Interestingly, it is also found that a person's exposure to light may also bring about swings to either extreme. It was found that during exposure of less sunlight, a sufferer tends to go into a depressed state more often. Most adult sufferers have said that they showed their first symptoms at the age of 17.
Also, bipolar disorder sufferers have also found to have a relative that suffers from a similar clinical disorder. This is also reason why there is basis for genetic prevalence in bipolar disorder.
In conclusion, bipolar disorder is caused not by one single cause but by a range of events in life that lead to such an outcome.
Aspects and Diagnosis
Quote:“Bipolar disorder is, almost without exception, a life-long condition that must be carefully managed throughout the individual's lifetime. Because there are many manifestations of the illness, it is increasingly being called bipolar spectrum disorder. The spectrum concept refers to subtypes of bipolar disorder that are sub-syndromal (below the symptom threshold) and typically misdiagnosed as depression." Most bipolar disorder sufferers suffer from depression as well. There is shown to be a 3 to 1 ratio between periods of depression and mania. In some cases, the ratio may differ up to 37 times more periods of depression compared to periods of mania."
An interesting aspect of the two extreme mood swings, especially the state of mania, is that it has been shown to bring about much heightened creativity. In fact, there have been many popular artists that have been diagnosed as bipolar sufferers through letters and observations of friends and relatives. This shows the case of misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis in bipolar sufferers. Many bipolar sufferers have been misdiagnosed to have ADHD or clinical depression, sometimes even schizophrenia.
Bipolar disorder is classifiable in four categories. Bipolar I, Bipolar II, cyclothymia and Bipolar NOS. Each category has its distinct traits but are no less disabling. Before one diagnoses a person with bipolar disorder, there are four states experienced by the individual that must be identified: mania, hypomania, mixed state and major depression. Mania is a state where the individual experiences "euphoria" and "extremely energetic" compared to the individual's normal state, which may lead to psychosis, impairment of functional ability and possibly the need for hospitalization. Hypomania is similar to mania, except that the individual is not impaired in functional ability and it does not lead to psychosis or hospitalization. Major depression is a state where the classic depression occurs as in sufferers of clinical or classic depression. A mixed state is where an individual experiences both mania and depression at the same time. For example, a person experiences a mostly depressed state, but bouts of mania may occur within the same period. Bipolar sufferers are often misdiagnosed with classical depression because the state of mania or hypomania is not determined. This is because the two "high" states may be seen as just a personality trait of the individual.
A sample of diagnostic of the different categories of bipolar disorder and also the sample classifications of mania, hypomania, depression and mixed state, can be found here.
Treatment
There are many treatments that can be conducted through psychotherapy or medication. Medication used is a mix between antidepressants and antistimulants. The use of medication has to be fitted to the individual because each bipolar case is of different degree. Too much (not an overdose) of antidepressants may lead to psychosis and too much (not an overdose) of antistimulant may lead to depression.
However, medication is normally taken along with on-going therapy sessions. The type of treatment is the choice of the individual.
Further detailed information on treatment can be found here.
Other Notes
These are some quotes of succesfully treated individuals with bipolar disorder. Quote:
"Manic-depression distorts moods and thoughts, incites dreadful behaviors, destroys the basis of rational thought, and too often erodes the desire and will to live. It is an illness which is biological yet looks and feels psychological, one that is unique in conferring advantage and pleasure, yet one that brings in its wake almost unendurable suffering and, not infrequently, suicide. I am fortunate that I have not died from my illness, fortunate in having received the best medical care available, and fortunate of having the friends, colleagues, and family that I do."
In her book, Touched With Fire, Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., writes:
"The clinical reality of manic-depressive illness is far more lethal and infinitely more complex than the current psychiatric nomenclature, bipolar disorder, would suggest. Cycles of fluctuating moods and energy levels serve as a background to constantly changing thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. The illness encompasses the extremes of human experience. Thinking can range from florid psychosis, or "madness," to patterns of unusually clear, fast and creative associations, to retardation so profound that no meaningful mental activity can occur. Behavior can be frenzied, expansive, bizarre, and seductive, or it can be seclusive, sluggish, and dangerously suicidal. Moods may swing erratically between euphoria and despair or irritability and desperation. The rapid oscillations and combinations of such extremes result in an intricately textured clinical picture."
Bipolar disorder, sadly, has no cure, but it is a manageable case. There are many people that suffered from this condition and still are successful and lead normal lives. Examples would be among famous writers and artists. Quote:
"Research indicates that while mania may contribute to creativity (see Andreasen, 1988), hypomanic phases experienced in bipolar I, II and in cyclothymia appear to have the greatest contribution in creativity (see Richards, 1988)."
"Hypomanic phases of the illness allow for heightened concentration on activities and the manic phases allow for around-the-clock work with minimal need for sleep. Another theory is that the rapid thinking associated with mania generates a higher volume of ideas, and as well associations drawn between a wide range of seemingly unrelated information. The increased energy also allows for greater volume of production."
A list of people believed to have bipolar disorder, accompanied by verifiable source citations can be found here.
1 comment:
Post a Comment