Definition and Nature of Bipolar Disorder - Research Paper Example

 Bipolar Disorder Based on data from the World Health Organization, 27 million people in the world are suffering from bipolar disorder, and that an estimated 25 to 50 percent of these individuals experience suicide attempts at least once and that 10 to 15 percent would even complete the suicide act (“Serious Mental Illness,” 2011). Twenty-seven million with as many as 50 percent with suicidal tendencies is indeed an overwhelming figure and is definitely a cause for alarm not only for medical institutions but also for governments. However, without knowledge on the nature, etiology and treatment of bipolar disorder, one would never be able to establish the right ways to control and manage the disease. Definition and Nature According to the National Institutes of Health, bipolar disorder, which is also known as manic depression or manic depressive illness, is “a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks” (“Introduction: Bipolar,” 2012). Bipolar disorder is classified in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-IV, as a mood disorder which can be classified into four types which seem to overlap each other in terms of symptoms. These types are the following: Bipolar I Disorder, which is characterized by predominantly manic symptoms; Bipolar II Disorder, which is dominated by depressive episodes; Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, or BP-NOS, which has very few or very short manic or depressive symptoms; and Cyclothymia, or Cyclothymic Disorder, which is a long term attack of alternating weak episodes of mania and depression (“Introduction: Bipolar,” 2012). Nevertheless, despite the confusion among the various types of bipolar depression, its symptoms are generally very similar in all cases. According to data from the National Institutes of Health, ,manic symptoms include one’s being easily distracted, restlessness resulting in an inability to sleep or racing thoughts, poor judgment, poor control of temper, lack of self control which manifests in binge eating and drinking habits as well as promiscuity and extravagance, and a hyperactive mood which translates as talkativeness, abnormally high energy or a very high self-esteem which borders around fantasy and false beliefs of the self. On the other hand, the depressive symptoms are somehow the exact opposite of the manic symptoms. The former includes a loss of appetite or overeating, an unexplained lack of energy or fatigue, feelings of guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness, loss of pleasure and self-esteem, an inability to put oneself to sleep or an uncontrollable habit of oversleeping, an unexplained isolation of the self from friends and company, and the most dangerous of all – thoughts of death and suicide (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). This last mentioned symptom but certainly not the least – thoughts of death and suicide – is mainly the reason why bipolar disorder must be treated. In fact, according to a recent study by Goldstein et al. (2012), “Early-onset bipolar disorder is associated with high rates of suicide attempts.” Serious complications that may develop from an untreated bipolar disorder include a much more pronounced substance abuse using alcohol or drugs, problems with work, finances and relationships, and suicidal behaviors and thoughts, and even the actual act of suicide (“Bipolar disorder,” 2012). Without proper treatment, there is no way that these complications can be prevented in case they occur. Nevertheless, effective treatment for bipolar disorder usually begins with a knowledge of how the disease started or developed in the patient and thus treatment involves the practice of eliminating and dealing with these causes. Etiology Bipolar disorder is caused by a number of factors. However, the NIH emphasizes a genetic origin: “The exact cause is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people with bipolar disorder” (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). This claim is proven by recent studies. In fact, according to Sheng et al. (2012), there is a similar “network of genes implicated in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.” Moreover, Chai et al. (2011) specifically stated that bipolar disorder seems to involve a similar feedback or uniformly recurring patterns of connectivity in the following parts of the brain: between the medial prefrontal cortex and the anterior insula, and between the medial prefrontal cortex and the ventral lateral prefrontal cortex. Bipolar disorder may also be brought about by external emotional events that may disrupt the usual workings of the mind and may destroy or wound one’s self-esteem. These events may include life changes such as marriage, childbirth, divorce or death of a spouse. Other factors that may trigger bipolar disorder, especially its manic episodes, include the use of medications like steroids or antidepressants, periods of sleeplessness, and the use of recreational drugs (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). Treatment The purpose of treatment for bipolar disorder is for the patient to avoid hospital stay, to help him function well between manic and depressive episodes, to make the episodes less severe and less frequent, and most of all, to prevent injury to the self as well as suicide (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). The drugs that are usually used first for treatment are the mood stabilizing medications (“Introduction: Bipolar,” 2012). These medications that control moods include Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine, Lithium, and Valproate or Valproic acid (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). However, according to the FDA, the only problem with Lamotrigine and Valproate is that there might be an increased risk of suicide in the patient. Moreover, Lithium might reduce thyroid hormone levels as a consequence (“Introduction: Bipolar,” 2012). Lithium and Valproate are also the main choices for maintenance medication for bipolar disorder treatment (“Mood stabilizers,” 2012). If such medication does not work, then atypical antipsychotic medications like Olanzapine, Aripiprazole, and Quetiapine may be used to relieve the patient of the symptoms of psychosis and mania especially if such symptoms are severe (“Introduction: Bipolar,” 2012). Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, may also be an option if the patient is not responding positively to medication. ECT involves the use of an electrical current that will cause a brief seizure in the patient while he is under anesthesia. According to the NIH, ECT remains as “the most effective” treatment for bipolar disorder and depression if the patient does not respond to medication (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). What usually follows the use of ECT is transcranial magnetic stimulation, or TMS, which is the use of high-frequency magnetic impulses to heal areas of the brain affected by bipolar disorder or depression (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). Hospitalization is also a form of treatment recommended for patients. It is prescribed until their mood becomes more stable or until their behavior gets under control (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). Support programs and therapies also form a part of the treatment. Support programs help the patient get enough sleep; otherwise, the patient reverts into manic episodes again. Support programs also help patients take medication correctly, manage side effects from such medication, watch out for the symptoms and do something when these symptoms recur, and most of all learn how to develop a healthy lifestyle that would help them not only recover fast but avoid bipolar disorder forever (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2012). References “Bipolar disorder.” (2012). Retrieved Aug. 1, 2012 from the National Institutes of Health: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001924/ Chai, X. J., Whitfield-Gabrieli, S., Shinn, A. K., Gabrieli, J. D. E., Castañon, A. N., McCarthy, J. M., Cohen, B. M. & Ongur, D. (Jun. 2011). “Abnormal Medial Prefrontal Cortex Resting-State Connectivity in Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.” Neuropsychopharmacology, 36(10), 2009-2017. Retrieved Aug. 2, 2012 from Nature: http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v36/n10/abs/npp201188a.html Goldstein, T. R., Ha W., Axelson, D. A., Goldstein, B. I., Liao, F., Gill, M. K., Ryan, N. D., Yen S., Hunt, J., Hower, H., Keller, M., Strober, M. & Birmaher, B. (Jul. 2012). “Predictors of Prospectively Examined Suicide Attempts Among Youth With Bipolar Disorder: Predictors of Suicide Attempts.” [Abstract]. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1-10. Retrieved Aug. 1, 2012 from PubMed Health: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22752079 “Introduction: Bipolar Disorder.” (2012). Retrieved Aug. 1, 2012 from the National Institutes of Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml/index.shtml “Mood stabilizers for people requiring maintenance therapy for bipolar disorder.” (2012). Retrieved Aug. 1, 2012 from the World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/mental_health/mhgap/evidence/psychosis/q8/en/index.html “Serious Mental Illness: Symptoms, Treatment and Causes of Relapse.” (2011). Retrieved Aug. 1, 2012 from the Keeping Care Complete: Psychiatrists’ perspectives on mental illness and wellness: An International Survey. Sheng, G., Derners, M., Subburaju, S. & Benes, F. M. (Jun. 2012). “Differences in the Circuitry-Based Association of Copy Numbers and Gene Expression Between the Hippocampi of Patients With Schizophrenia and the Hippocampi of Patients With Bipolar Disorder.” Archives of General Psychiatry, 69(6), 550-561. Retrieved Aug. 2, 2012 from the Archives of General Psychiatry: http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1151015 Read More