Bipolar Case Study Examples

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Case Study Bipolar I Disorder can be far more distressing and difficult to manage than widely believed. A patient suffering from this disorder can be affected anywhere from completing daily activities such as concentrating on a task at hand at work or school, to something as serious as paying their rent on time. When a sufferer is experiencing a manic episode, there can be grandiose actions such as frivolous spending or gambling and other actions of grandeur which can in turn result in devastating consequences (Fast, J. (2013). Likewise, a patient amidst a major depressive episode can suffer significantly due to deep and seemingly never ending sadness, sleeplessness, hopelessness, and in severe cases may attempt or even succeed to end their own life (LANCET. (2002). It is increasingly more common for such things to happen if the person does not understand their symptoms and does not seek help for them. This is largely due to the fact that those suffering with the disorder cannot distinguish between their feelings of mania, and general happiness or euphoria that they perceive to be normal. As a result, many people suffering from the disorder neither seek nor receive the treatment that is so desperately needed (Bressert, S. (2013). Such was the case with 17 year old Mark. From a very young age, Mark knew he was not like other children. From time to time, he felt an almost inexplicable sadness that stayed with him for days at a time. Other times, he had more energy and ideas than he knew what to do with, and would refuse to go to bed. His parents struggled to understand why their child went through such drastic changes in mood and demeanor, but brushed it off as a kid being a kid. It was when Mark was 17 years old and was in the mid... ... middle of paper ... ...themselves with such a difficult diagnosis. Conclusion Ultimately, although bipolar disorder has been one of the most misconceived mental illnesses throughout history, it has palpably progressed. From its early origins and beliefs that it was caused by demonic possession, to involuntary lobotomies and electroshock therapy, it has become a disorder that is sufficiently treated comprehensively with medication and support and understanding (HelpGuide. (2012). Despite the fact that the exact causes of this illness are still not entirely known and clear, clinicians are continuously conducting research that will aid in the proper diagnosis and ultimately a more concise and increasingly more effective means of treating and controlling the symptoms. The medical field will continue to seek ways to counteract and hopefully one day completely cure the disorder all together.

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