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Introduction
The website offers useful information about the common brain disorders and conditions affecting mankind today. The website achieves this goal by listing some of the best health and neuroscience resources. The provided links can equip the reader with new ideas about some of the major brain diseases. The selected topic for this essay is bipolar disorder. Angst (2013) defines bipolar disorder as a mental disease characterized by alternating periods of depression, loss, and elation (p. 3). Some physicians and medical practitioners refer to the condition as manic-depressive illness (Goodwin, 2009). This discussion therefore gives a detailed analysis of this brain disease affecting a large number of people across the globe.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Human beings tend to experience normal downs and ups in their lives (Bipolar Disorder, 2015, para. 3). However, patients with bipolar disorder will experience unusual activity levels and mood changes. The symptoms associated with this condition can be extremely dangerous. Such symptoms have been observed to cause poor interpersonal relationships. Individuals with the condition will be unable to complete certain tasks and duties. Cases of suicide are usually high among the affected population. However, modern advances in medicine and psychology have made it possible for different patients to get the best treatment.
Major Causes
The leading causes of bipolar disorder are yet to be understood and described by health professionals (Bipolar Disorder, 2015, para. 4). However, the condition has been observed to run in specific families (Juli, Maria-Rosaria, & Luigi, 2012). This fact explains why some genetic factors play a significant role towards the development of the mental condition. Individuals whose relatives or parents have bipolar disorder have higher chances of developing the condition (Bipolar Disorder, 2015). However, studies have indicated that chances of getting the diseases are extremely low (Juli et al., 2012). The structure of the brain tends to affect its functioning. This issue is currently being studied in order to establish its relationship with the disorder.
Signs and Symptoms
Understanding the major signs and symptoms associated with the condition is the best approach towards having a successful life. The condition is associated with unpredictable mood episodes (Bipolar Disorder, 2015, para. 3). These episodes are usually associated with different behaviors, actions, and moods. Manic episodes are characterized by extreme excitement or happiness. Extreme hopelessness or sadness can occur thus resulting in depression. Such episodes will also make the patient irritable, explosive, and sometimes uncontrollable. The individual might also portray queer sleeping habits, behaviors, energies, and activities.
Depressive episodes will produce suicidal thoughts, restlessness, and behavioral changes. The individual might also be unable to make accurate decisions and become hopeless. Manic episodes can result in restlessness and unrealistic imaginations (Bipolar Disorder, 2015). Some individuals might decide to engage in high-risk activities or behaviors. Many people exhibiting such manic episodes will become irritable (Juli et al., 2012, p. 114). Goodwin (2009) argues that most of the symptoms portrayed by the patients will last forever (p. 351). Sometimes the people might react normally and fail to show such symptoms.
Risk Factors
Individuals between the age of 20 and 35 have higher chances of developing this mental condition. Signs of depression during a persons childhood can be a major risk factor. Individuals whose parents or close relatives have been diagnosed with the disease can develop it later in their lives. New studies are currently being conducted in order to identify the major behavioral and environmental forces that promote the development of bipolar disorder. Some psychologists have argued that many people from minority or underprivileged groups have higher chances of developing the condition (Juli et al., 2012). This argument has forced modern researchers to examine the relationship between bipolar disorder and human race. Such findings will be useful towards identifying the best strategies that can be used to deal with the disorder.
Diagnosis of the Condition
Psychologists and healthcare workers use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to monitor the presence of bipolar disorder (Price & Marzani-Nissen, 2012, p. 486). Individuals who have the condition tend to exhibit powerful mood changes. The DSM tool makes it easier for psychologists to identify any major change from a normal behavior to a maniac or depressive one (Price & Marzani-Nissen, 2012, p. 487). Doctors usually conduct interviews, lab tests, and physical examinations. Such examinations make it easier for practitioners to come up with powerful observations that can be used to make the best conclusions.
However, some brain problems or diseases can present similar results. This fact explains why practitioners should conduct appropriate mental health evaluations in order to diagnose the disease correctly. Psychiatrists are usually encouraged to undertake these examinations because they have higher chances of delivering positive results (Price & Marzani-Nissen, 2012). They also have the best knowledge that can eventually support the health outcomes of the targeted patient. Physicians should also examine the family history of the patient in order to get new insights. This knowledge will ensure the condition is diagnosed correctly. It is always necessary to diagnose the targeted disease correctly in order to provide the best medical support.
Treatment
Angst (2013) states clearly that bipolar disorder is incurable (p. 3). However, medical practitioners can use various medications to manage the condition thus making it easier for the targeted patients to take control of their moods. It should also be observed that bipolar disorder is a long-term condition. That being the case, the diseases required rigorous and continuous medical support in order to get the best health outcomes (Juli et al., 2012). Patients should also collaborate with their relatives and doctors in order to manage the disorder effectively.
Medications
Doctors have been using different modifications and drugs to control most of the symptoms associated with this brain disorder. Different medications are used depending on the health needs of the targeted patient. The commonly used medications used to deal with the condition include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics (Price & Marzani-Nissen, 2012, p. 489). The major mood stabilizers include Lamotrigine, Divaproex sodium (Depakote),Gabapentin, and Oxcarbazepine (Goodwin, 2009, p. 359). Most of these drugs have been observed to cause various side effects such as dizziness, mood swings, headache, and drowsiness (Price & Marzani-Nissen, 2012). The commonly used antipsychotics include Aripiprazole, Quetiapine, and Olanzapine (Goodwin, 2009, p. 364). Such drugs will make it easier for more patients to control most of the signs affecting their health outcomes.
Psychotherapy
Doctors and psychiatrists embrace the use of psychotherapy in order to control various mental conditions. Psychotherapy should also be combined with various medicines in order to produce the most desirable results. Psychologists use the technique to provide the best guidance, medical support, and education (Goodwin, 2009). The targeted patients will be able to re-pattern their experiences and relationships with different individuals. Mental health workers have embraced the method because it has the potential to support the needs of many patients.
Some of the commonly used therapeutic methods include family-focused and cognitive behavioral therapies (Goodwin, 2009, p. 354). The first method makes it easier for the targeted patients to collaborate with different family members. Such members should also be encouraged to understand and support the person. The practice also presents powerful communication and problem-solving strategies (Goodwin, 2009, p. 354). These approaches make it easier for more people to achieve their potentials and eventually establish meaningful relationships (Angst, 2013). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely used to transform the harmful thoughts and behaviors exhibited by many patients.
Psycho-education has also been observed to empower more patients. The approach guides different patients to monitor their moods. This knowledge makes it easier for the targeted patients to manage their symptoms. They can also recognize their symptoms before they affect their behaviors (Bipolar Disorder, 2015). These therapeutic methods should therefore be used frequently whenever treating people with manic-depressive illness (Goodwin, 2009).
Conclusion
Bipolar disorder is one of the common conditions affecting humanity today. Members of the family should therefore use appropriate methods to diagnose and treat the condition. Family members, friends, and relatives should be ready to offer the required emotional support to the affected patients. People should always empower and use appropriate treatment methods to support these patients (Juli et al., 2012). Many patients with this mental condition develop suicidal thoughts and behaviors. It is therefore appropriate to take such thoughts and behaviors seriously. The practice will make it easier for more patients to get the required medical support.
Reference List
Angst, J. (2013). Bipolar disorders in DSM-5: strengths, problems and perspectives. International Journal of Bipolar Disorders, 1(12), 2-8.
Bipolar Disorder. (2015). Web.
Goodwin, G. (2009). Evidence-based guidelines for treating bipolar disorder: recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 23(4), 346-388.
Juli, G., Maria-Rosaria, J., & Luigi, J. (2012). Involvement of genetic factors in Bipolar disorders: current status. Psychiatria Dambina, 24(1), 112-116.
Price, A., & Marzani-Nissen, M. (2012). Bipolar Disorders: A Review. American Family Physician, 1(1), 483-493.
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