Bipolar Disorder: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Contents

Introduction 1

Questions: Asked when conducting an interview 1

Answers: received from the interviewees 2

Interview 1 2

Interview 2 2

Interview 3 2

Interview 4 3

Symptoms 3

Treatment 3

Causes of bipolar 4

Genes 4

Environmental Factors in Bipolar Disorder 4

Bibliography 6

Introduction

Bipolar disorder can be conceptualized as parallel dysfunction in emotion-processing and emotion-regulation circuits, together with an “overactive” reward-processing circuitry, resulting in characteristic behavioral abnormalities associated with bipolar disorder: emotional lability, emotional dysregulation, and heightened reward sensitivity (Bressert, 2006). According to DSM-IV and ICD-10, divides bipolar disorder into at least two subtypes. Bipolar type I disorder, the most classical form, is characterized by a succession of manic or mixed states with depressive episodes. The course of bipolar type II disorder is similar but more unstable in course, where depression alternates with hypomania (Burke, 2012, 159-166).

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, which can impair the individual's ability to function in ordinary life. Symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They are different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through from time to time (Bressert, 2006). Bipolar disorder symptoms can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives. Treatment commonly includes mood stabilizing medication and psychotherapy (Smith & Segal, 20...

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... Circuitry and a Road Map for Future Research. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 72-84, 88. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13081008

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Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2009). Bipolar Disorder Signs & Symptoms: Recognizing Mania, Hypomania and Bipolar Depression. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm

Stafford, N. (2009, October 19) . What is bipolar disorder. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6KRHtFBeo

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