Pathophysiology: Bipolar Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder - Essay Example

This paper will describe the difference in presentation in patients suffering from bipolar disorder and generalized anxiety disorder using the DSM-5 criteria. This involves a thorough assessment of the patient under evaluation.

Regarding presentation as per the specifications of DSM-5, bipolar disorder patients exhibit manic and depressive episodes. They experience high and low variations in behavior, energy, and mood. In manic episodes, certain symptoms must be presented. They include restlessness, excitement, lack of sleep for days, racing ideas filled with new concepts of their life goals, being full of thoughts, and talking excessively. In depressive episodes, certain symptoms must be presented. They include low self-esteem, easily annoyed and bad-tempered, and are mostly engaged in arguments and fights, lack of concentration, lack of achievement of objectives, depressed mood, fatigue, and insomnia (Peacock, 2000). Regarding presentation as per the specifications of DSM-5, panic disorder patients are expected to exhibit unexpected panic attacks as they are always suffering from immoderate worries which are uncontrollable. Moreover, patients suffering from this disease center their attention on financial issues, the absence of confidence, relationships, and a hopeless future (Heimberg, Turk & Mennin, 2004).  Neither substance abuse nor medical conditions are contributing factors to anxiety disorder.