Bipolar Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment
Abstract
This paper will be discussing Bipolar Disorder. It will cover some of today’s diagnosis methods and treatment. The treatments covered will involve psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs.
Bipolar Disorder
Many refer to Bipolar Disorder as manic-depressive disorder. This disorder causes people to swing from very low depressive states to extreme highs of “mania.” When people are depressed they may feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in everyday activities. However, when their mood shifts in the other direction they may feel extremely happy and full of vigor. These shifts can occur several times in a year or in worse conditions on a daily basis. This disorder can be quite disruptive long term to your life. However, with a good treatment plan and more importantly following it, this disorder can be controlled. (Mayo Clinic) Let’s define these stages a little deeper.
Mania - although less common than depression, it is when someone experiences an extreme euphoric state. They tend to become “pompous” in their behavior and have an inflated self-esteem. People in this manic state can become aggressive towards others and in an extreme episode they can be violent, wild and collapse from extreme exhaustion; thus, beginning their depressed state of bipolar disorder.
Depression – a feeling of overwhelming sadness, quilt, lose of interest in pleasurable activities and a feeling of worthlessness. People tend to feel tired, blame themselves for their problems, failures in life, and unable to make the simplest decisions. In acute cases people suffer from lack of concentration, insomnia and lose interest if food and sex. (Morris)
What is the difference between being sad and clinically depressed? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) definition is as follows:
“A person who suffers from a major depressive disorder must either have a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities consistently for at least a two week
This paper will be discussing Bipolar Disorder. It will cover some of today’s diagnosis methods and treatment. The treatments covered will involve psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs.
Bipolar Disorder
Many refer to Bipolar Disorder as manic-depressive disorder. This disorder causes people to swing from very low depressive states to extreme highs of “mania.” When people are depressed they may feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in everyday activities. However, when their mood shifts in the other direction they may feel extremely happy and full of vigor. These shifts can occur several times in a year or in worse conditions on a daily basis. This disorder can be quite disruptive long term to your life. However, with a good treatment plan and more importantly following it, this disorder can be controlled. (Mayo Clinic) Let’s define these stages a little deeper.
Mania - although less common than depression, it is when someone experiences an extreme euphoric state. They tend to become “pompous” in their behavior and have an inflated self-esteem. People in this manic state can become aggressive towards others and in an extreme episode they can be violent, wild and collapse from extreme exhaustion; thus, beginning their depressed state of bipolar disorder.
Depression – a feeling of overwhelming sadness, quilt, lose of interest in pleasurable activities and a feeling of worthlessness. People tend to feel tired, blame themselves for their problems, failures in life, and unable to make the simplest decisions. In acute cases people suffer from lack of concentration, insomnia and lose interest if food and sex. (Morris)
What is the difference between being sad and clinically depressed? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) definition is as follows:
“A person who suffers from a major depressive disorder must either have a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities consistently for at least a two week
References: Mayo Clinic. (2010). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/ health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=symptoms Morris, C.G., & Maisto, A.A. (2002). Psychology: An Introduction (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. American Psychological Assoc. (2007). Bipolar Spectrum Disorder May Be Underrecognized and Improperly Treated. Bethesda, Maryland, US: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved from PsycEXTRA database. Schimelpfening, N. (2003). Depression. about.com. Retrieved from http://depression.about.com/cs/amidepressed/a/sadness.htmBipolar Disorder Therapy; Scientists at University of Sydney target bipolar disorder therapy. (2010, January). Mental Health Weekly Digest,33. Retrieved February 14, 2010, from Alumni - ProQuest Health and Medical Complete. (Document ID: 1930077161).