Symptoms and Behaviors Associated with Bipolar Disorder - Research Paper Example

? Bipolar Disorder School Bipolar Disorder Introduction Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder that is characterized by sudden and unpredictable mood swings. It is one of the very serious and complicated mental disorders that targets thousands of Americans and millions of people all over the world every year. According to National Institute of Mental Health (n.d.), nearly 5.1 American adults suffer from bipolar disorder and every year, approximately 2.6 per cent of the total population of the US aged at least 18 years suffers from bipolar disorder. While some of the patients remain determined and seek medical and therapeutic help, others do not remain so composed and many of them even commit suicide because of the depression caused by bipolar disorder and its other negative impacts on their everyday life. This paper lays a detailed account of bipolar disorder discussing the symptoms and behaviors associated with it that are experienced by patients that suffer from it, effect of this mental disorder on the life of the patients in general and on their behavior in particular, findings of the latest research about bipolar disorder, and how bipolar disorder can be treated. Symptoms and behaviors associated with bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder is a complex mental disorder. It is of different types ranging from mild to severe and has a variety of symptoms. Symptoms mainly experienced by the patients are unpredictable and dramatic changes in the mood. The symptoms of bipolar disorder can mainly be classified as bipolar symptoms, mania symptoms, and depression symptoms. Bipolar symptoms Bipolar symptoms are the primary symptoms of this mental illness and are characterized by unpredictable, sudden, and dramatic mood swings. Mania symptoms Mania symptoms are characterized by excessive display of a specific kind of feeling or emotion like excessive excitement, happiness, restlessness, irritability, agility, sex drive, euphoria, poor judgment, agitation, rapid speech, risky behavior, inflated self-esteem, increased drive to achieve the goals, increased tendency to be distracted, increased tendency to make unwise financial choices, frequent absence from school or office, careless use of drugs, poor performance at work, delusions, and racing thoughts. In addition to that, the patient shows increased tendency to create plans that are too grand and unrealistic to be practicable. Depression symptoms The depression symptoms associated with bipolar disorder include but are not limited to irritability, sadness, uncontrollable crying, sadness, guilt, hopelessness, sleep problems, fatigue, problems concentrating, lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, frequent absences from school or office, chronic pain with no knowledge of cause, anxiety, change in appetite leading to gain or loss of weight, difficulty in decision-making, thoughts of committing suicide, and increase in the need for sleep. Signs and symptoms experienced by the patients of bipolar disorder also include the following: Rapid cycling bipolar disorder Some patients of bipolar disorder frequently show mood shifts that are characterized by at least four mood swings in a year (MayoClinic, 2013). Some patients experience mood shifts as quickly and often as in few hours. Seasonal mood changes Some patients of bipolar disorder experience changes in mood with changing seasons. Some patients become hypomanic or manic during the summer season and fall into depression when the winter season comes. Other patients may experience the same states in a reverse manner i.e. they may become depressed during the summer season and hypomanic or manic upon the arrival of the winter season. Psychosis Psychosis happens as a result of experiencing severe episodes of either depression or mania. It is a state of detachment from reality. Psychosis’s symptoms include delusions and hallucinations that although are false, yet are believed to be true and real by the patient. Different patients experience different kinds of symptoms of bipolar disorder depending majorly upon the cause. Some people experience most of the problems because of depression while for others, the prime concern are the manic symptoms. Symptoms of hypomania or mania and those of depression may occur simultaneously, the term used for which is “mixed episode”. Symptoms of bipolar disorder also vary with age. For example, rather than experiencing clear-cut depression, hypomania, or mania, children and adolescents mostly experience rapid mood shifts, explosive temper, anger, and reckless behavior. Sometimes, these mood shifts take place within few hours. A child may experience long periods of silliness, crying, or giddiness, one after another in the same day. On the other hand, adults may experience clear-cut depression, hypomania, mania and other aforementioned symptoms of bipolar disorder. Effect of bipolar disorder on the patients Bipolar disorder affects the life of the patients as well as others related to them very negatively. Since it is a sort of mental or behavioral disorder that does not show overt signs of illness that physical diseases entail, family members often fail to realize that the individual is suffering from bipolar disorder. This lack of knowledge develops misunderstandings and tensions between them because of the fights and arguments resulting from the depression, anxiety, and irritation of the patient. Self-injury frequently termed as self-mutilation, self-harm, or cutting often happens as an injurious attempt by the patient as a way to deal with the overpowering negative emotions like frustration, anxiety, or anger (WebMD, 2013). More often than not, such acts are repetitive rather than one-time. This greatly endangers the life of the patient and self-injury may even lead to suicide in extreme cases. Latest research on bipolar disorder According to Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (2013), the number of adults in America that suffer from bipolar disorder is over 2 million. Latest research on bipolar disorder needs to unravel the complicated mechanisms of biology that are associated with bipolar disorder by following up psychological studies, imaging, and genetic studies. This is very important for bringing the biological understanding near to the patients’ experiences. “While several genes which increase a patient's risk of acquiring bipolar disorder have been discovered, to date, no clear biological mechanism to explain why these genes affect a person's risk of developing bipolar has been elucidated” (Medical News Today, 2013). Treatment of bipolar disorder Treatment of bipolar disorder is very important because if it is not treated, bipolar disorder can cause serious problems in the patient’s life. These problems include but are not limited to legal problems, financial issues, substance abuse, relationship issues, loneliness, isolation, and social exclusion. Bipolar disorder is treated with the help of a comprehensive treatment plan that is directed at relieving the symptoms, fixing the illness’s problems, and restoring the ability of the individual to live fully. The comprehensive treatment plan includes medication, psychotherapy, education, lifestyle management, and support. Successful treatment of bipolar disorder is not possible with medication alone as it depends upon a whole range of factors. In order for an individual to be able to gain maximum benefit from the treatment, it is imperative that the individual seeks education about bipolar disorder, approaches the doctors and therapists as soon as possible, builds a strong support system, and maintains a healthy lifestyle. The earlier help is sought, the more effective the treatment becomes. Following the treatment plan properly and being dedicated to come out of this condition enable the individual to live a healthy, normal, happy, stable and productive life. Conclusion Bipolar disorder is a very serious mental disorder. It is characterized by sudden changes in mood. Symptoms and behaviors associated with bipolar disorder can mainly be classified into bipolar symptoms, mania symptoms, and depression symptoms. Signs and symptoms experienced by the patients of bipolar disorder also include rapid cycling bipolar disorder, seasonal mood changes, and psychosis. Bipolar disorder has many negative effects on the life of the patients as well as their family members. Since the signs and symptoms of this mental disorder do not show in terms of physical changes, it is often too late before the patient is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The patients remain frustrated, angry, agitated, and depressed and have a lot of tendency to cause harm to themselves. In order to fill the voids in the present knowledge about bipolar disorder and help reveal suitable and effective methods of treatment, latest research on bipolar disorder should unravel the complicated mechanisms of biology which are linked with bipolar disorder by following up psychological studies, imaging, and genetic studies. A comprehensive treatment plan is required to treat bipolar disorder which comprises medication, psychotherapy, education, lifestyle management, and support. Successful treatment is done with medication and behavioral therapy together. Patients and their family members need to be educated about the mental disorder, its effects on life, and how it can be treated to enhance their cooperation with the therapist. References: Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. (2013). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved from http://bbrfoundation.org/bipolar-disorder. MayoClinic. (2013). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=symptoms. Medical News Today. (2013). The Lancet Series On Bipolar Disorder: Advances In Biological Understanding Need To Be Brought Closer To The Experience Of The Patient. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/260444.php. National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America. Retrieved from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america/index.shtml. WebMD. (2013). Bipolar Disorder Health Center. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-types. Read More