Manic Depressive Disorder - Research Paper Example

? Manic Depressive Disorder Manic Depressive Disorder Manic depressive disorder is today referred to as Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder or manic disorder is a major affective disorder that affects the moods of the patients dramatically. The complexities of bipolar disorder are genetically transferred in to patients along with the environmental factors that also contribute to the development of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder prevails in genders, men as well as women. The mood swings associated with it interchange from major or clinical depression to mania or intense elation. A patient may feel elated at one time and at another he or she may feel depressed extremely. Bipolar can be defined by the existence of multiple episodes of abnormal elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood swings with one or multiple depressive experience. It is important to note that the individuals who have been diagnosed with the mental illness have to face a social stigma, stereotypes, and prejudice. Furthermore, bipolar patients are very often misdiagnosed as schizophrenics, thus, it is very important to know the illness well before diagnosing someone as bipolar (Frederick, Goodwin, & Jamison, 2007). Signs and Symptoms Bipolar disorder is a serious condition. However, at higher levels of disorder the patient may display psychotic behavior which includes violence. Thus severe symptoms of this mental illness can lead to hallucinations and delusions. Moreover, the incidents are usually separated by the phase of ‘normal’ mood but in some individuals the interchange between the depression and mania is so frequent and rapid that it is known as rapid cycling. The signs of bipolar disorder surfaces in childhood or early adulthood. Since the major and first apparent symptom is depression, thus, many health professionals confuse it with severe depression (Muzina & Kemp, 2007). Depressive Episode During the depressive phase bipolar disorders following symptoms are prevalent consistently: Sadness Anxiety or shyness Guilt Anger Isolation or Hopelessness Disturbances in sleep Loss of appetite Problems in concentration Loneliness and self loathing Apathy or indifference Depersonalization Loss of in interest in sex Irritability Chronic pain ( with or without a reasons) Suicide attempts or ideation An individual suffering from bipolar may become psychotic due to the severity of illness. These symptoms include delusions or hallucinations that are unpleasant. Major depressive phase, which is persistent for minimum two weeks or more, signifies the severity of the illness (Web MD, 2005). Manic Episode In bipolar disorder mania is the basic feature, which in general characterized by a dissimilar period of an eminent mood which can take the shape of euphoria. Individuals often feel an increase in energy that contributes to the lower levels of sleep, where symptoms of sleeplessness can prevail from hours into days of sleepless nights. However, the major symptoms include: Disconnected and racing thoughts. ostentatious notions Inappropriate elation and irritability Inappropriate social behavior Increased talking speed Poor judgment Severity of manic symptoms can be measured with the rating scales. These rating scales are self diagnostic such as Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale and clinician based which is Young Mania Rating Scale (Web MD, 2005). Hypomanic Episode Hyponia generally pendulums between mild to moderate, which is distinguished by optimistic behavior, pressure of speech and activity, and decreased need for sleep. Many people with hypomania are more productive than normal, it is important o highlight here that hyponia functions differently than mania and must not be confused with each other. Some individuals display higher creativity levels whereas others are affected by poor judgment. Hypomanic sufferers have a major characteristic that distinguishes mania from hypermania that is to have a higher excessive sex drive (Web MD, 2005). Causes There are multiple causes for bipolar disorder that makes it existent among individuals. These multiple factors include genetics, physiological structure, and environment. Many studies have showed that the genetics play a major role in the \development of bipolar disorder. It is mentioned that a certain chromosomal region and candidate genes contribute to the individual’s vulnerability towards the disorder. However the studies that link the mental illness to genetic structures are inconsistent (Kato, 2007). Moreover, it was found out that certain abnormalities in the brain structure such as the increase in the value of Lateral ventricles, Globus pallidus, and increase in the levels of white matter hyperintensities contribute to the bipolar disorder. Thus, findings suggest that abnormal functioning of the amygdala, prefrontal and limbic regions add to the mood symptoms and emotional regulation (Strakowski, 2012). Furthermore, the environmental factors significantly contribute to the development and course of the bipolar or manic disorder. Thus, it is important to say that the environmental factors interact with genetic dispositions to bring out the symptoms. There is substantial evidence that supports the likelihood of environmental factors that add to the disorder symptoms or aid them to surface (Serretti & Mandelli, 2008). However, following are the factors that can trigger manic depressive disorder or bipolar disorder: Stress Substance abuse Medications –medications like anti depressants can trigger mania. Seasonal changes Sleep deprivations Diagnosis & Treatment Bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose, however, once diagnosed the treatment is not limited to sittings with the psychiatrist and medication but it also requires support from the family and society alike. Thus, bipolar disorder requires long-term treatment, since manic depressive disorder is a chronic, reoccurring illness it is important to continue treatment even after you feel better. Most of the patients need medication to curb the symptoms and deter them to reoccur. Moreover, the treatment is multi dimensional along with medication there are certain therapies that need be taken along with bringing a change in the life style of the patient. For security reasons the medication needs to be closely monitored. Treating and diagnosing manic depressive disorder can be very tricky; however, it is necessary to evaluate and to re-evaluate the symptoms before diagnosing and treating a patient with any disorder. Dealing with Manic Depressive Disorder While dealing with bipolar disorder it is important to be: Educated about the disorder Keep stress in check Seek support Get help Make healthy choices and monitor your moods. Reference List Frederick, K., Goodwin, D., & Jamison, K. (2007). Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression. New York: Oxford University Press. Kato, T. (2007). Molecular Genetics of Bipolar Disorder and Depression. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 61 (1). Muzina, D., & Kemp, D. (2007) Differentiating Bipolar Disorders from Major Depressive Disorders: Treatment Implications. Annals of clinical psychiatry: official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists, 19 (4). Serretti, A., & Mandelli, L. (2008). The genetics of Bipolar Disorder: Genome 'hot regions,' Genes, New Potential Candidates and Future Directions. Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, 13 (8). Strakowski, M. A. (2012). The Functional Neuroanatomy of Bipolar Disorder: A Consensus Model. Bipolar Disorders, 14 (4). Web MD. (2005). Bipolar Disorder Center. Retrieved October 23, 2012, from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/hypomania-mania-symptoms Web MD. (2005). Depression Health Center. Retrieved October 23, 2012, from http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/bipolar-disorder-manic-depression Read More