Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder
Gail Fryer
SOC 313
Instructor Sabrina Geoffrion
October 29, 2012
Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a medical illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy and functioning. These changes can be subtle or dramatic and vary greatly over a persons’ life. Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally and usually starts between the ages of 15-25 years old. In this paper, I will explain the different types of bipolar disorder and some of the symptoms of each, the lifestyle of the affected person, interventions and restraining forces.
This lifelong condition has recurring episodes of manic and depression that lasts from days to months. All people with bipolar disorder have manic episodes-abnormally elevated or irritable moods that last at least a week and impair functioning. , but not all become depressed (American Psychological Association.org). Approximately 10 million people in the United States have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is more prevalent in the United States than in other countries (APA.org). The cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people with the disorder. Scientists believe that this disorder may be caused by a chemical imbalance affecting certain parts of the brain. A combination of biological and environmental factors such as diet, stress, intense emotional conflicts in families and trauma may also be a cause of bipolar disorder. According to the text, each person with this disorder is affected differently (Falvo, pg. 231). This disorder is the fifth leading cause of disability.
There are three major types of bipolar disorder. They are bipolar I and II, and cyclothymia. Bowden stated that an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorders is crucial because it has important implications for management and prognosis (Falvo, pg. 233). The most common and most severe of the three is bipolar I. According to Falvo, a characteristic of bipolar I is that people with this type have at
Gail Fryer
SOC 313
Instructor Sabrina Geoffrion
October 29, 2012
Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a medical illness that causes extreme shifts in mood, energy and functioning. These changes can be subtle or dramatic and vary greatly over a persons’ life. Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally and usually starts between the ages of 15-25 years old. In this paper, I will explain the different types of bipolar disorder and some of the symptoms of each, the lifestyle of the affected person, interventions and restraining forces.
This lifelong condition has recurring episodes of manic and depression that lasts from days to months. All people with bipolar disorder have manic episodes-abnormally elevated or irritable moods that last at least a week and impair functioning. , but not all become depressed (American Psychological Association.org). Approximately 10 million people in the United States have bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is more prevalent in the United States than in other countries (APA.org). The cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, but it occurs more often in relatives of people with the disorder. Scientists believe that this disorder may be caused by a chemical imbalance affecting certain parts of the brain. A combination of biological and environmental factors such as diet, stress, intense emotional conflicts in families and trauma may also be a cause of bipolar disorder. According to the text, each person with this disorder is affected differently (Falvo, pg. 231). This disorder is the fifth leading cause of disability.
There are three major types of bipolar disorder. They are bipolar I and II, and cyclothymia. Bowden stated that an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorders is crucial because it has important implications for management and prognosis (Falvo, pg. 233). The most common and most severe of the three is bipolar I. According to Falvo, a characteristic of bipolar I is that people with this type have at
References: American Psychological Association. (2012). Myths and realities about bipolar disorder www.apa.org. Americans living with chronic illness. MSNBC video. Today Show (2007) Falvo, D American Journal of Psychiatry 164.9 (Sept., 2007): 1340-7 PubMed Health (2010)