Bipolar Affective Disorder
The phenomenon of has been a mystery since the 16th and 17th century. The Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was thought to have suffered from bipolar disorder. It appears that there are an abundance of people with the disorder yet, no true causes or cures for the disorder. Clearly the Bipolar disorder severely undermines their ability to obtain and sustain social and occupational success. However, the journey for the causes and cures for the Bipolar disorder must continue.
Depressed mood, elevated mood or (mania), or alternations of depressed and elevated moods primarily characterize affective disorders. The classical term is manic-depressive illness, a newer term is Bipolar disorder. The ...
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affects approximately one percent or three million persons in the United States, afflicting both males and females. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania and depression. The manic episodes are characterized by elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, poor judgment and insight and often reckless or irresponsible behavior (Hollandsworth, Jr. 1990 ). These episodes may alternate with profound depressions characterized by a pervasive sadness, almost inability to move, hopelessness, and disturbances in appetite, sleep, in concentrations and driving.
Bipolar disorder is diagnosed if an episode of mania occurs whether depression has been diagnosed or not (Goodwin, Guze, 1989, p 11). Most commonly, individuals with manic episodes experience a period of depression. Mood is either elated, expansive, or irritable, hyperactivity, pressure of speech, flight of ideas, inflated self esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and excessive ...
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observers to feel that bipolar patients are "addicted" to their mania. Hypomania progresses into mania as the transition is marked by loss of judgment. Often, euphoric grandiose characters are recognized as well as a paranoid or irritable character begins to manifest. The third stage of mania is evident when the patient experiences delusions with often-paranoid themes. Speech is generally rapid and behavior manifests with hyperactivity and sometimes assaultiveness.
When both manic and depressive symptoms occur at the same time it is called a mixed episode. These people are a special risk because of the combination of hopelessness, agitation and anxiety make them feel like they "could ...
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Bipolar Affective Disorder. (2007, April 30). Retrieved November 28, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Bipolar-Affective-Disorder/64161
"Bipolar Affective Disorder." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 30 Apr. 2007. Web. 28 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Bipolar-Affective-Disorder/64161>
"Bipolar Affective Disorder." Essayworld.com. April 30, 2007. Accessed November 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Bipolar-Affective-Disorder/64161.
"Bipolar Affective Disorder." Essayworld.com. April 30, 2007. Accessed November 28, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Bipolar-Affective-Disorder/64161.
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