Bipolar Disorder Research

Gradually the individual begins losing interest and pleasure in previously interesting activities. When diagnosed with mania or hypomania, one begins to experience euphoria. Common symptoms include unusual irritability or excess energy and hyperactivity. The sudden change and fluctuation in the mood affects the energy levels, sleep judgement, behaviour, thinking capacity, and activity. The condition presents in episodes that may occur several times annually with some clients experiencing emotional symptoms between episodes. Gradually, the client begins to attach negative thoughts about themselves causing self-pity and reduced self-worth. Increased negative thoughts lead to suicidal thoughts and self-harm. About 6 percent of persons diagnosed with bipolar disorder resolve to suicide and roughly 40 percent turn to self-harm (Anderson, Haddad, Scott, 2012) Bipolar disorders being a mental health condition closely associates with other conditions such as anxiety disorder and substance abuse disorder.

the immediate cause for bipolar disorders is still not clear but is closely associated with environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors exposing one to the conditions include long-term subjection to stress or history of child abuse. The symptoms are less severe compared to bipolar I condition. the cyclothymic disorder clients experience numerous episodes of hypomania and long-term depression that may last 2 years. Bipolar disorders arising from drug and medical complications are classified differently. The symptoms of this conditions do not match up the previous three conditions. diagnosis of the condition does not necessarily require medical testing. The individuals begin to speak fast and in uninterruptible patterns, racing thoughts, high goal oriented engagement and activities, and shortened concentration. The individual may also depict impulsive and high-risk behaviour including hypersexuality and spendthrift characteristics.

The elevated behaviour tends to strain socialization abilities and reduced productivity. Most maniacs have a history of drugs and substance abuse over long periods. Full blown maniac condition leads to psychosis which causes a breakdown of the world of reality and thoughts affected by moods. The depressive phase of bipolar disorders comes in with presenting sadness, irritability, and reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities. The individual may also feel hopelessness, inappropriate guilt, sleep disorders, appetite disruption, fatigue, self-loathing which causes worthlessness, and lowered concentration span. In more extreme cases the patient develops psychosis presenting hallucinations and delusional thoughts. The depressive episode can last for two weeks and likely to develop suicidal thoughts. Mixed state episode in bipolar disorder record symptoms of both mania and depression at the same time.

individuals record different experience in early life and certain interpersonal relationships and life events contribute to the development of bipolar mood episodes. Majority of adults diagnosed with bipolar disorders reckon abusive and traumatic experiences during childhood. Horrible experiences at childhood are associated with high earlier onset, a high number of suicide attempts and co-occurring disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (Serretti, Mandelli 2008). Neurological Bipolar disorder is likely to occur as a result of neurological condition or injury. Such conditions that propagate development of bipolar disorder include stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, porphyria, temporal lobe epilepsy, or HIV infection (Murray, Buttner, Price, 2012). The disorder presents similar symptoms to other mental conditions and may be difficult to distinguish from unipolar depression. The similarity in presentation poses the risk for misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis.

Bipolar disorder diagnosis takes into account several factors and self-reported experiences on abnormal behaviour, symptomatic self as well as those of friends and family. A clinician looks out for observable signs for the condition and put the client on a medical assessment to rid of medical causes. Bipolar disorder presents similar symptoms with conditions like chronic depression, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and borderline personality disorder (American Psychiatry Association (2013). Stability in the condition requires adherence and consistency to the treatment plan set up between the service user and provider. Successful treatment requires a balance on medication and therapy. An abrupt disruption on the medication cycle is likely to cause a relapse of symptoms. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy plays a major role in the treatment and management of bipolar disorder.

Just like other mental disorders that are not a pure brain or genetic disorders requires appropriate psychotherapeutic interventions. High-stress families with standard aftercare tend to experience relapses at higher rates of around 50 percent within the same period. Family therapy enables for problem resolution from a united approach following discussions and establishment of the presenting problems facilitating for successful intervention. The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) remains highly applicable in resolving a number of conditions including psychosis. The central focus of the ACT is not on reducing the psychosis symptom rather reducing patient’s suffering mainly through enhancing capacity to tolerate psychotic symptoms through increased awareness and acceptance of the condition. The ACT is a multidisciplinary team approach that brings case managers, psychiatrists, social workers and mental health physicians together.

The mood stabilizer drugs are long term drugs and cannot apply as quick treatment drugs for bipolar depression. Lithium is the most recommended long-term medication for mood stabilization. Carbamazepine has been identified to effectively treat manic episodes and massive benefits in rapid cycling bipolar disorder management. The drug is also administered to patients with other psychotic symptoms including schizophrenia. The drug, however, is less effective in preventing relapses compared to lithium or valproate (Post, 2016). Antipsychotic drugs are effective in the short term management of bipolar manic episodes acting strongly compared to lithium and anticonvulsants (Geddes, Miklowitz, 2013). Other medication Benzodiazepines may be applied in short courses alongside other medications for mood stabilization. Other forms of treatment such as Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is effective in the treatment of acute mood disturbances among bipolar disorder patients presenting psychotic and catatonic features.

ECT is also safe to apply to pregnant women. Omega 3 fatty acid has been recommended for use to treat depressive symptoms. Subjection to unpleasant conditions including child abuse and neglection bear a significant portion in the propagation of bipolar disorder. other scientist cites the development of bipolar disorders in genetic composition. An agreeable stance is a subjection to abusive and stressing condition that gradually affect the mood of an individual and general mental health. Beside these factors, other physiological and neurochemical compositions are responsible for the initiation and development of the condition. the treatment and management of the condition require collaborative efforts from the client, caregivers, clinicians or service provider as well as the society. J Affect Disord. 148 (1): 129–35 El-Mallakh RS, Elmaadawi AZ, Loganathan M, Lohano K, Gao Y (July 2010).