Psy 270 Depression Paper
Depression Paper
PSY/270
February 20, 2012
University of Phoenix
Depression Paper
There is a distinct difference between bipolar and unipolar disorder, although both disorders may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, head injuries or genetically passed down through the gene pool, each of these disorders have different symptoms, characteristics, and require different treatments. However, there are some things both of these disorders have in common, which are the fact that they both cause depression, anxieties, and abnormal sleep patterns. Unipolar disorder is also known as ‘clinical’ depression or ‘major’ depression, whereas bipolar disorder is known as ‘manic’ depression. The word ‘bipolar’ represents the two opposite sides of both extremes, in other words, a person who has the bipolar disorder can be extremely depressed and feel very low and down with themselves and life or feel extremely happy, and have the feeling of being on top of the world. The actual cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. However, researchers think that it is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. The cause of unipolar is unknown as well, however researchers suspect that this disorder may be related to the gene pool, as well as a chemical imbalance in the brain. Other factors may include; stress, biochemical factors: higher levels of the stress cortisol or a lack of melatonin or lower levels of norepinephrine and serotonin chemicals in the brains of people who suffer with depression.
Unipolar disorder affects more women than men, and appears later in life, whereas bipolar disorder affects men and women equally, and generally shows up by the age of 18 years old. Unipolar disorder generally causes insomnia, difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently during the night, whereas the bipolar disorder generally causes hypersomnia, excessive tiredness, and difficulty waking up in the morning. A person who suffers with unipolar disorder often
PSY/270
February 20, 2012
University of Phoenix
Depression Paper
There is a distinct difference between bipolar and unipolar disorder, although both disorders may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain, head injuries or genetically passed down through the gene pool, each of these disorders have different symptoms, characteristics, and require different treatments. However, there are some things both of these disorders have in common, which are the fact that they both cause depression, anxieties, and abnormal sleep patterns. Unipolar disorder is also known as ‘clinical’ depression or ‘major’ depression, whereas bipolar disorder is known as ‘manic’ depression. The word ‘bipolar’ represents the two opposite sides of both extremes, in other words, a person who has the bipolar disorder can be extremely depressed and feel very low and down with themselves and life or feel extremely happy, and have the feeling of being on top of the world. The actual cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. However, researchers think that it is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. The cause of unipolar is unknown as well, however researchers suspect that this disorder may be related to the gene pool, as well as a chemical imbalance in the brain. Other factors may include; stress, biochemical factors: higher levels of the stress cortisol or a lack of melatonin or lower levels of norepinephrine and serotonin chemicals in the brains of people who suffer with depression.
Unipolar disorder affects more women than men, and appears later in life, whereas bipolar disorder affects men and women equally, and generally shows up by the age of 18 years old. Unipolar disorder generally causes insomnia, difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently during the night, whereas the bipolar disorder generally causes hypersomnia, excessive tiredness, and difficulty waking up in the morning. A person who suffers with unipolar disorder often
References: http://www.morningsiderecovery.com/mental-illness/bipolar/ http://www.bipolarcentral.com/otherillnesses/unipolar_disorder.php http://www.hubpages.com/questions/82284/what_are_the_underlying_causes_of_unipolar_and_bipolar_disorders http://angelfire.com/home/bphoenix1/uni.html