Pathophysiology of Bipolar Disorder - Essay Example

The complexity of bipolar disorder is that each of the four episodes has varying intensities of mood changes. Health providers have to be keen if they are to diagnose bipolar disorder correctly because patients behave differently in each of the episodes. Recent research has focused on understanding the causes of bipolar disorder, as well as the existing barriers to the available types of treatment. This paper will focus on discussing the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder, the prognosis, as well as the barriers to treatment.

Pathophysiology of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder has the potential to cause defects in some brain parts. Hence, the individual lacks control over mood swings. The basal ganglia, the cortical and limbic structures, as well as the cerebellar, are affected by bipolar disorder. The lack of proper functioning in each of these parts contributes to the four episodes that define bipolar disorder. Patients with manic bipolar disorder exhibit high levels of euphoria as well as an elevated mood. However, such individuals may face the compulsion of facing risky behavior because of the excitement. Patients with manic bipolar disorder are likely to exhibit a fast process of thought, as well as speech.

During the manic phase, individuals present high self-esteem, accompanied by poor judgments and irritability. Patients with hypomanic episodes present insomnia, distractibility, rapid speech, the uncontrollable urge for pleasurable activities, as well as faster processing of thought as the main symptoms (Doruk et al., 2014). The depressive episode makes patients experience hopelessness, worthlessness, low self-esteem, loss of appetite, high levels of fatigue, irritability, as well as suicidal thoughts. Patients experiencing mixed episodes may exhibit symptoms such as euphoria, agitation, anxiety, high levels of depression, as well as insomnia. These symptoms and the different episodes serve as evidence that bipolar disorder affects several physiological processes in the brain function contributing to rapid mood changes.

Treatment Options for Bipolar Disorder

Experts have been unable to define a specific cure for bipolar disorder. However, certain agents are commonly used in managing the condition. Patients experiencing depression may rely on antidepressants such as Lexapro and Prozac. Usually, antidepressants can increase the activity of the brain cells. In other cases, patients may rely on anti-manic agents when experiencing manic episodes. However, anti-manic drugs are combined with lithium, an agent that prevents the recurrence of the different episodes. Antipsychotics may also be an option to prevent recurring depressive episodes (Fayyaziet al., 2014).

Prognosis of Bipolar Disorder

Researchers have highlighted that genetic factors contribute to the development of bipolar disorder. Certain factors that trigger the development of bipolar disorder may be inherited by the offspring from parents. Parents with the condition are likely to pass it to their children at a 25% probability. Neurochemical factors also contribute to the development of bipolar disorder. Specifically, neurotransmitters in certain parts of the brain may fail to function in the normal way. In other cases, psychological factors may alter the functioning of neurotransmitters. Environmental factors such as traumatic events occurring in the early stages of life may also contribute to the development of bipolar disorder (Parachin, 2014).

Barriers to Successful Treatment of Bipolar Disorder
Notably, there are existing barriers to the treatment and management of bipolar disorder. The fact that there is no specific medication for the condition that works in every individual is one of the outstanding barriers. Whereas some patients may rely on antidepressants or anti-manic agents, they only serve to reduce the symptoms but not cure the condition. Lithium, the agent, combined with many drugs may present some undesirable effects in some people. Therefore, the lack of specific medication for bipolar disorder is one of the factors that make it difficult to manage the condition (Werner, 2014). It is unfortunate that patients with bipolar disorder also exhibit anxiety disorder. Therefore, it becomes difficult to combine treatment options for bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder. Although there are treatment options for bipolar disorder, many patients have exhibited uncontrollability for the condition. With the evident changes in symptoms depending on the episode, many individuals do not recognize the development of the condition. The uncontrollability also serves as a challenge when administering different agents (Vieta, &Valentí, 2013).

Conclusion
Bipolar disorder is a serious mood disorder exhibiting itself in four different phases. Patients diagnosed with each phase of the disorder have different symptoms. The manic and depressive episodes define the extremes of mood changes in people with bipolar disorder. Currently, there is no specific cure for the condition. Patients rely on treatment agents that can control mood changes. Researchers have highlighted that genetic, environmental, and physiological factors contribute to the development of bipolar disorder. There is a salient need for patients to obtain the relevant need in managing bipolar disorder. Read More