Bipolar Disorder Affecting 5 Million Americans - Research Paper Example

Bipolar Bipolar disorder is characterized by intense mood swings. Individuals suffering bipolar have intense moods swings shift from a high to low frequently. According to The National Institute of Mental Health (2010), “Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million American adults or about 2.6 of the U.S. population 18 and older in a given year” (pp. 11). Diagnosing Bipolar disorder is often difficult. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are often associated with other disorders. In further, individuals can suffer from multiple mental illnesses. The symptoms of a substance induced mood disorder are very similar to the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Once diagnosed, individuals suffering from bipolar disorder are given medication. The medication helps to correct the chemical imbalances present in the individuals brain and reduce symptoms. Misdiagnosing patients is common in individual’s suffering from Bipolar disorder. Many individuals receive three misdiagnoses and four consultations with different doctors before being diagnosed with Bipolar (Miller, 2006). In some cases individuals suffer from multiple mental illnesses (Tamam, Karksu & Ozpoyraz, 2008). Individuals may suffer from multiple mental illnesses that have similar symptoms as bipolar disorder. Mental illnesses with similar symptoms of bipolar disorder include: attention deficit disorder and schizophrenia. Substance abuse/dependency is characterized by rapid mood swing upon withdrawal. In further using substances may affect the individual’s moods. In many cases individual’s that exhibit substance abuse/dependency may be misdiagnosed when he or she is actually suffering from bipolar disorder. In further, the symptoms of bipolar disorder maybe amplified by substance abuse (Grunebaum, Galfalvy & Nichols, 2006). Researchers theorize that the individual diagnosed with bipolar disorder may in fact be suffering from a substance induced mood disorder. In a clinical study researchers found that of individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder in combination with a diagnosis of substance abuse over 43% of these individuals did not meet the criteria to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Stewart & El-Mallakh, 2007). The causation of bipolar disorder is unknown. However, bipolar disorder is known to have a biological component. A parent suffering from bipolar disorder has a 15-30% chance of having their child inherit the disorder (Abel, 2009). The prevalence of childhood bipolar disorder is a relatively new concept. Children suffering from bipolar disorder often do not fit the classification of symptoms listed on the DSM-IV (Saxena, Nakonezny & Simmons, 2009). Experts theorize that bipolar disorder is over-diagnosed in children. Instead experts believe that children suffering from what appears to be bipolar disorder maybe suffering from a severe form of attention deficit disorder that is mistakenly diagnosed as bipolar disorder. To further complicate diagnosing bipolar disorder experts theorize that individuals may have different places on the bipolar spectrum. The DSM-IV recognizes the prevalence of Bipolar II. Bipolar II contains similar symptoms as bipolar disorder; however, the characterizing symptoms appear different. According to Hadjipavolu, Mok & Yatham (2004), bipolar disorder II is characterized by “recurrent depressive episodes in association with hypomanic episodes lasting at least 4 days” (p. 804). Researchers have further demonstrated individual’s suffering from bipolar II disorders are less likely to have mixed episodes than individuals suffering from bipolar I (Mantere O., Suominen K., Leppämäki S., 2004). In further, researchers hypothesize that clinical sub-types to bipolar exist beyond bipolar I and bipolar II (Vieta, E., Suppes, T., 2008). The differentiations among sub-types of bipolar disorder are thought to be further characterized by specific clinical symptoms. Treatment of bipolar disorder is characterized by the use of pharmacological medications that regulates the balance of hormones within the brain. Approximately 1/3 of people with bipolar disorder receive treatment from a psychiatrist. However, researchers theorize that approximately 2/3 of people receive treatment from primary care physicians (Miller, 2006). Many psychiatrists believe that the improper diagnosis of bipolar disorder is due to the usage of primary care physicians that do not have efficient training in the disorder. Yet researchers have demonstrated a better long-term outlook for individuals diagnosed at an early age. According to Bauer, Juckel & Correll (2008), “Early detection forms the basis for adequate education and for treatment from the beginning” (p. 50). Treatment for bipolar disorder is a lifelong commitment. Individuals that have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder may feel better after being taking medication. However, these individuals need to remember to continuously take their medications. Individuals that do not take their medications may become suicidal or experience symptoms of a psychosis. According to Mayoclinic (n.d.), “People who skip maintenance treatment are at high risk of a relapse of symptoms or having minor mood changes turn into full-blown mania or depression” (p. 5). Pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder is classified into the following categories: Anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, symbyax and benzodiazepines (MayoClinic, n.d.). The usage of antidepressants is controversial. In some individual’s suffering from bipolar disorder antidepressants may set the person into a mania. Experts theorize that this occurs in 20-30% of bipolar individuals that take an antidepressant (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2010). Lithium has been shown to be effective in 60-80% of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Regardless of the medication choose, all medications take between 4-6 weeks before becoming effective. In addition individuals may experience side effects associated with the medication. These side effects vary in severity. Antipsychotic drugs have been shown to have serious side effects if used over a long period of time. However, the individual must determine the value of functioning on a high level while being on medication or functioning on a low level while not on medication. For many family members of people suffering from bipolar disorder the choice is clear. Individual’s should remember that all medication has side-effects and to evaluate the benefits of the medication (MayoClinic, n.d.). Individual’s suffering from bipolar disorder may also use counseling services. The type of counseling depends on the individual’s needs. Family therapy is recommended for individual’s suffering from bipolar disorder. Family therapy has shown to lessen the strain of the bipolar individual’s family members. Cognitive behavioral therapy is often used in order to guide the individual. Solution focused therapy may help the individual solve specific problems (Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder, 2007). In further, counseling may help the individual develop pro-social skills and behaviors (Frank, Soreca & Swartz, 2008). The characteristics associated with bipolar disorder can be misinterpreted as symptoms of other mental health disorders. Experts theorize that many individuals suffering from bipolar disorder go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed each year. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can have a debilitating effect on the individual’s life. In further, experts believe that different sub-types of bipolar exist. Although two clinical subtypes are identified (bipolar I and bipolar II) experts theorize that sub-types go beyond these two formations. Sub-types are characterized by specific symptoms. However, these symptoms are often associated with other mental health disorders. For example, individuals with substance abuse disorders that have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder may not be suffering from bipolar disorder, but instead a substance abuse mood disorder. Treatment of bipolar disorder has a significant impact when the treatment is founded early in the individual’s life. Treatment options for individual’s suffering from bipolar disorder include medications. These medications correct the chemical imbalances in the individual’s brain and reduce the symptoms of the disorder. Unfortunately no cure for bipolar disorder exists. The outcome of people suffering from bipolar disorder is strongly influenced by continued treatment. References Abel, Sue. (2009, July). Bipolar Disorder. Clinical Pediatrics. 48 (6), 693-694. Bauer, M., Juckel, G., Correll, CU. (2008, November), Diagnosis and treatment in the early illness phases of bipolar disorder. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. 258 (5) 50-54. Grunebaum, MF., Galfalvy, HC., Nichols, CM., (2006, October). Aggression and substance abuse in bipolar disorder. MEDLINE. 8 (5), 496-502. Hadjipavlou, G., Mok, H., Yatham, LN. (2004, December). Bipolar II disorder: an overview of recent developments. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 49 (12) 802-812. Mantere O., Suominen K., Leppämäki S., (2004, October). The clinical characteristics of DSM -IV bipolar I and II disorders: baseline findings from the Jorvi Bipolar Study (JoBS). Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute. 6 (5) 395 -405. Frank, E., Soreca, Isabella, Swartz, Holly A., (2008, December). The American Journal of Psychiatry. The Role of Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy in Improving Occupational Functioning in Patients With Bipolar I Disorder. 165 (12). MayoClinic (n.d.) Treatments and Drugs. Retrieved from http://www.may oclinic.com/heal th /bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs Miller, K. (2006, August). Bipolar disorder: etiology, diagnosis, and management. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 18(8), 368-373. National Institute of Mental Health. (2010). Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers -count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml#Bipolar Psychological Educational Organization (2007). Psychotherapy for Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved from: http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/Psychotherapy.htm Saxena, Kirti, Nakonezny, Paul A., Simmons, Alex, (2009, August). Outpatient Diagnosis and Clinical Presentation of Bipolar Youth. Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 18 (3) 215-220. Steward, C., El-Mallakh, RS., (2007, September). Is bipolar disorder over diagnosed among patients with substance abuse? European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience.512 (3) 221-223. Tamam, L., Karakus, G., & Ozoporyaz, N. (2008, October). Comorbidity of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and bipolar disorder: relevance and clinical correlates. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 258(7), 385-393. University of Maryland Medical Center (n.d.). Bipolar disorder-Medications. Retrieved from: http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_psychologic_lifestyle_appro aches _bipolar_ disorder_000066_9.htm Vieta, E., Suppes, T. (2008, February). Bipolar II disorder: arguments for and against a distinct diagnostic entity. Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support. 10 (1) 163 -178. Read More