Compare/contrast paper - Essay Example

Generally, in contrast to Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia is characterized by psychotic symptoms (i.e. hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech or behavior), that occur in the absence of prominent mood symptoms (i.e. depressed mood, elation, irritability). These latter mood symptoms are the hallmark of bipolar disorder (Davidson). Bipolar disorder, formerly called "manic/depressive" disorder, is a serious mental illness characterized by extreme changes in a persons mood, and ultimately his behavior.

The term bipolar refers to the two poles or opposite reactions a patient may exhibit. It is totally a mood alteration mechanism, at one time or precisely one minute a persons mood may be very exuberant/ enthusiastic or extremely happy and the very next moment his mood could change to extremely apathetic or depressed state. In the manic state, the person may experience exaggerated self-esteem, show unlimited energy in terms of physical power and also uncontrolled behavior, and restlessness, and may exhibit a risk-taking attitude (such as making unwise choices, spending too much money, and making foolish business ventures).

A person may show the tendency to break things or show uncontrolled speaking ability. This could be irrelevant or some bad past experiences. This may be due to a depressed state of mind where, the person may experience anxiety or nervousness, sleeping problems, social withdrawal, loss of interest in daily activities, and feelings of worthlessness. A depressed person may also feel excessive guilt and have thoughts of suicide. Depression usually lasts as long as two weeks but may last longer depending on the individual (Davidson).

For more than a century the psychiatric community has debated whether schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were two distinct disorders or were more connected. Over the course of their illnesses, many patients experience similarities in certain symptoms characteristic of