Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Alex Dudash

Introduction Introduction Bipolar Disorder is a disease that affects your mental state, resulting in sporadic mood swings, including periods of mania and depression. The basic types include, Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic, and any other related bipolar disorders with differing symptoms. The primary reason Bipolar Disorder is detrimental to its victims is that it can cause destructive actions which are triggered from the mood changes- ranging from things such as reckless behavior to suicidal thoughts or decisions.

Source Source Bipolar Disorder can affect anyone, and is not preventable. Though it doesn’t have a singular cause, genetics and family lineage have proved to increase the chance of developing it. Bipolar Disorder can appear at any point in your life, but studies have shown that the average age it is noticed at is 25 years old.

Symptoms Symptoms People with Bipolar Disorder experience periods called “mood episodes” in which they go through unusually intense emotions, differences in sleep patterns and activity levels, and behaviors unfamiliar to their normal self. Those having a manic episode may: Feel overjoyed or high, have increased energy and activity, have difficulty sleeping, think or talk faster and about varying things, become easily agitated, or try to do multiple things at once. Those having a depressive episode may: Feel sad or hopeless, have decreased energy and activity, have difficulty sleeping, feel like they can’t enjoy anything, be constantly worried, have trouble concentrating or remembering, or consider suicide.

Spread Spread Bipolar Disorder is not a contagious disease. It can develop in anyone, however, genetics seem to increase one’s likelihood of getting Bipolar Disorder.

Cure & Treatment Cure & Treatment There is no cure for bipolar disorder- it is a life long illness It can be treated with medications or therapy Such medications would include mood stabilizers, antidepressants, or in some cases sleeping medications. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be helpful to both the victim of bipolar disorder and their family. It provides education and guidance, helping them to tolerate the disorder and its effects. One of the main treatments is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT). CBT works with developing a person’s reaction to a situation, and how to formulate effective responses. In CBT you may exercise problem solving, talk about acceptance and commitment, and discuss other things necessary to cope with bipolar disorder.

Cure & Treatment cont. Cure & Treatment cont. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is another treatment used for bipolar disorder. It is a more radical method, because it sends an electrical current through the brain. Generally only used in severe cases where the illness hasn’t improved and quick response is necessary. Primary advantage over medication is its rapidity of response In the procedure, electrodes are placed in certain positions on the head, which send an electrical current through the brain causing a seizure, which most times lasts under a minute. The patient is always sedated and doesn’t feel the pain. This process is repeated about three times a week until the mental health shows improvement. ECT can come with the side effects of headache, upset stomach, memory loss, and muscle aches, all generally short term.

Lethality Lethality Bipolar disorder itself will not kill you It does, however, greatly increases the risk of suicide With proper guidance and attention, death is preventable, but is otherwise considerably frequent.

Facts & Statistics Facts & Statistics 2.6% of U.S. citizens age 18 and older are diagnosed with bipolar disorder each year. Bipolar disorder is equally common in men and women, however research shows that about three times as many women experience its rapid cycling of emotions. More than 2/3 of people with the disease have a close relative with either bipolar disorder or unipolar major depression. Bipolar disorder is the 6th leading cause of disability in the world. Bipolar disorder reduces expected life span by 9.2 years and sadly, 1/5 people with the disease commits suicide.

Works Cited "Bipolar Disorder." NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. "Bipolar Disorder." National Institutes of Health. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Apr. 2016. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. "Bipolar Disorder Statistics." Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017. "What Is Cognitive Behavior Therapy | Beck Institute." Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy. Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2017.