Scientists thus call this tendency a "genetic vulnerability" to inherit depression (Read 2007:1)
Biologically, bipolarity is not caused by brain damage although there is mounting evidence that the brains of bipolar patients look different from those without mood disorders. A 2000 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry that the brains of patients with bipolar disorder contain 30% more cells that send signals to other brain cells, suggesting that the extra signal-sending cells may lead to a kind of over-stimulation, causing the rapid shifts of extreme moods characteristic of the disease (Read 2007:1). However, whether the disease causes the different brain configuration or the extra cells causes the disorder still remains a mystery.
To add to the mystery of treating this illness, because bipolar disorder has two distinct mood components, that of mania, and that of depression, treating it with medication can be especially difficult. Patients with bipolar disorder usually must remain on some form of medical treatment for the duration of their lives, and often different treatment plans must be prescribed, and medications must be readjusted depending on whether a patient is in a depressive or manic phase. For example, for patients on lithium, other medications are frequently added to the patient's course of treatment to specifically address the effects of the mania or depression ("Bipolar disorder," 2007, NIH).
Anti-psychotic drugs are used to treat particularly resistant manic episodes, while antidepressants that raise serotonin levels are used to treat the depressive phase of the illness. Atypical antipsychotic medications are also sometimes prescribed to treat mania, and evidence suggests clozapine may be helpful as a mood stabilizer for people who do not respond to lithium or anticonvulsants, because they lower dopamine levels.
Lithium remains one of the most popular treatments for bipolar...
Abstract This paper will provide an overview of bipolar disorder, as currently described in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). It will explain how the symptoms of the disorder may manifest themselves, different treatment options, and evolving research in the field. Bipolar disorder remains a complex mental disease that can often mispresent in its features to clinicians, depending on the type and stage
[Frank et.al, 2006)] Baethge et.al (2005) examined substance use disorders in patients with first episode BP 1 disorder using 'Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders' (SCID). The study included a total of 172 patients who were admitted in the McLean hospitals between 1989 and 1996 for clinically diagnosed first lifetime manic/mixed BP 1 episodes. All the 172 subjects underwent follow-up assessment at 6,12 and 24 months respectively. Results
They show that mood swings in depressed children alternate with days of a pervasive down mood. These moods involve sadness, loneliness, unhappiness, hypersensitivity, overreactivity, and negative attitudes. All of this is combined with irritability caused by sadness, self-deprecation ("I am worthless, stupid, and ugly"), feelings of being persecuted by others, an aggressive orientation toward authority, argumentativeness, and suicidal thoughts. Present as well is the trend of self-isolation or withdrawal
Client is an African-American male, age 19, diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder 1 (296.89), with mixed and psychotic features. Lability and mood cycles have become more rapid recently. Currently, the client is experiencing an acute but mild manic episode. Risk Influences The client has no significant biological issues. As the first in his family known to have Bipolar Disorder, no genetic component to the disorder has been determined, but further work in a
32) The overall diagnostic and symptomatic patterns described by these points indicate that BPD is a serious disorder and is "...classified as a major personality disorder involving dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior; intense, unstable moods and relationships; chronic anger; and substance abuse." (Boucher, 1999, p. 33) There are a number of criteria which, in line with DSM-IV, are used to identify and characterize this disorder. The first of these criteria refers
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common childhood problem affecting as much as 3-5% of the school-age population. The core symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children with ADHD exhibit functional impairment across multiple settings and engage in disruptive behaviors, thus inviting criticism from adults and peer rejection. Psycho stimulant medication has been shown to be reasonably successful, but may produce significant side effects in a
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