Bipolar Disorder - Research Paper Example

? BIPOLAR DISORDER This paper delves into a type of psychological mood disorder known as a bipolar disorder. Mood disorders, such as this, being a quite common mental disturbance can occur to people of all ages and from all walks of life. It can affect children, teenagers and adults. Bipolar disorders and other types of mood disorders are characterized by an occurrence of a mood that might be strange or atypical in certain situations or circumstances. This paper discusses the basic distinctive description of this illness. It describes how a person suffering from such a disorder might act around the family, friends and society. The paper dwells on how this kind of disorders can affect and or even destroy relationships within a family, with friends and other loved ones. In addition, it also looks into the many causes that might trigger or start a bipolar disorder and the possible treatments, medications and other ways in which one can be relieved or cured. BIPOLAR DISORDER The term “mood,” by mere definition, is described as what a person feels within, for example, the person’s emotion, whether happy, sad, agitated or uninterested. The word “mood disorder” is the irregularity or the abnormality of a person’s mood in a situation or condition. For instance, it would be abnormal for a person to have temper outbursts or tantrums for no particular reason at all. There are numerous types of mood disorders but all of them have one characteristic in common and that is a sudden and unforeseen change in behavior. There are two major categories or divisions of mood disorders. The first one is the unipolar disorder. This occurs when one feels to a great extent and for a long period of time that his/her mood becomes unhealthy and harmful to his/her wellbeing in the long run. Common examples of these would be SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, and cases of severe depression. On the other hand, the second major group of mood disorders is known as the bipolar disorder type, which is also sometimes referred to as manic-depressive disorder, manic depression or bipolar affective disorder. This type of psychological illness is characterized by the existence of extreme levels of mood swings varying from intense unhappiness and the feeling of hopelessness to over joy, exhilaration and hyperactivity in the way the person feels and acts. “More than just a fleeting good or bad mood, the cycles of bipolar disorder last for days, weeks, or months. And unlike ordinary mood swings, the mood changes of bipolar disorder are so intense that they interfere with your ability to function” (Smith & Segal, 2011). Although, “doctors do not know what causes bipolar disorder, it is likely a combination of biochemical, genetic, and environmental factors” (The New York Times, 2012). Several studies have concluded that genetics can play a major role in the person’s susceptibility to this condition. One of the key reasons of mood disorders in several people is the environment that he or she might be living in. It could have been caused by traumatic experiences from that person’s childhood. Hurtful or tragic incidents that have happened in one’s life, such as the death of a loved one, abuse by parents etc., could be the main reason for mood disorders happening to people. Bullying and teasing could also be one of the many explanations for the episodes of depression or bipolar disorders. When a person is suffering from this mood disorder, several symptoms and signs will indicate its presence. However, the most evident are the mood swings that recur repeatedly such as extreme happiness and hyperactivity to sudden shift into depression and tremendous sadness and the feeling of emptiness and worthlessness. Sudden episodes of extreme sadness that usually last for days are a major sign of bipolar disorder. It is indicated by the lack of enthusiasm to do anything; even just going through an entire day is already exhausting and can be overwhelming. For teenagers, sudden irritability and a bad temper is a sign of depression. One of the serious symptoms of episodes of depression is the abrupt thinking that life is no longer worth living as this can make the person attempt or even commit suicide in the future. On the far end of the spectrum, shifting from depression could be extreme happiness and exhilaration that can occur in just a matter of an instant for many. From a depressing state of loneliness and dejection, one can, for no specific evident reason at all, be suddenly happy and might be experiencing a state of hyperactivity. There are millions of people in the world that are suffering and going through the bipolar disorder. It is a very common issue/problem that has played a crucial role in the lives of not only the person having it but also for his/her loved ones and the people that surround him/her. It has also affected several personal relationships with the person’s family members, relatives, friends and other loved ones who are close to him/her. It has destroyed plenty of close bonds and has broken several homes all over the world. From children to teenagers and adults, anyone can be experiencing this kind of illness. For teenagers, the bipolar disorder is very common. It has affected their lives by engaging in several drugs and alcohol, constant fighting and arguing at home and in school, and even to the point where in the teenager suddenly goes into an episode of severe depression and loses self-confidence and love for oneself that they attempt or commit suicide. However, for adults, it can be a little different. Men would show this episode of depression differently in the way that women and children would. Instead of verbally saying it, they are inclined to grumble about tiredness, will show bad temper, sleeping problems, and loss of enthusiasm at work and in hobbies. Men would also show anger, violence, irresponsible actions, and might also engage in drinking or drugs during their state of depression. A woman’s bipolar disorder is slightly different and is more verbal. It is sometimes based on hormonal aspects. Unlike men, women show their emotions more by showing and expressing their extreme feelings of happiness or depression. They would also tend to eat too much, gain weight, cry and shout. Bipolar disorder usually starts in adolescence. “Early on-set bipolar disorder havoc on family life, school functioning and peer relationships” (Geller & DelBello, 2007, p. 272) Even little children can experience this as well. Children who have bipolar disorder go through sudden changes in mood but may not show the other symptoms that are more normally observed in adults. Bipolar disorder indeed greatly affects people’s thoughts, actions and feelings. Because of the negative effects that this mood disorder can impose on relationships with families, friends and other loved ones, it is very important that when a person is experiencing this kind of illness, it has to be treated as soon as possible. This is for the reason and purpose to stop further damage in a person’s wellbeing, relationships with others and even his or her own life. Several treatments could be done in order to stop the existence or the recurrence of bipolar disorders. One of the most common treatments for bipolar disorders is medication. Several medicines could be taken into the body that will help stabilize the mood of the person. Examples of these include lithium, anticonvulsants, antipsychotic drugs, calcium channel blockers, Benzodiazepines, antidepressants, Paxil, Prozac, Luvox, and Zoloft (WebMD, 2010). These medications can help calm and alleviate the mood swings but full recovery after continuous intake of these kinds of medication is never guaranteed. There are still possibilities for the mood swings to recur again. There are other alternative ways to help treat this sickness other than medication. Another way to treat this medical condition aside from medicines and drugs is to seek some therapy that will help the person such as phototherapy, or therapy to light, which is usually in the form of light boxes that are used thirty minutes every day. An individual with a bipolar disorder can take this therapy and can be effective for the mood swings. “In administering phototherapy for bipolar disorder symptoms, the sessions may be short to alleviate the severity or the length of a depressive episode. Phototherapy is a welcome treatment by many, because it carries with it few side effects as do prescription medications for bipolar disorder” (Oliver, n.d.). Another type of therapy, which could help treat it, is psychotherapy. Several treatment approaches and techniques are used in this type of therapy. With the help of a mental healthcare professional, he or she can talk about the different emotional experiences he/she might be feeling. The therapist will then assess the problems and the possible factors that might possibly be triggering or causing the mood disorder, and will be able to better understand the emotions that are felt and the problems that have happened to the patient in the past that might be causing the mood swings and the problems. Together, they will try to work through the different factors and aspects in order to stop this mood disorder from recurring back to the patient. One of the best treatments that a victim of a mood disorder can ever get is the care and the love of the people surrounding him or her. With the parents’ or guardian’s guidance and supervision, the mood disorder and the many other symptoms and signs felt by the person will lessen. Broken families can become whole again and broken hearts will mend. References Bipolar Disorder Health Information. (n.d.). The New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2012. Bipolar Disorder: Medications. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved June 3, 2012. Geller, B., & DelBello, M. (2007). Bipolar disorder in childhood and early adolescence. New York: Guilford Press. Oliver, D. (n.d.). Light therapy and bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder, depression, symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Information. Retrieved June 3, 2012. Smith, M., & Seagal, J. (May 2011.). Bipolar disorder: Signs, symptoms, and treatment of manic depression. Help guide. Retrieved June 3, 2012. Read More