Bipolar disorder is psychological disorder that consists of periods of mania and depression. Youngstrom (2009) and Carlson, Findling, Post (2009) discussed the multitude of challenges faced with early-onset bipolar and very early-onset bipolar, which have implications for further study in the field and for families. First being able to properly define bipolar disorder in children and adolescents. Both articles explained the lack of a concrete definition due to co-morbidity and ambiguity between multiple mental health disorders. When I was reading both articles I reflected back to my undergraduate career when there was a class discussion on the ambiguity of the DSM. As a group we talked about the narrow definitions and criteria needed for certain …show more content…
This means that their diagnostic criteria are different than Americans, resulting in inconsistency. This has always struck a chord with me. How is it possible to compare research done in different countries if the subjects may or may not qualify for a certain diagnosis? It is something I never fathomed and I think it shows by my hesitancy to cite data for research articles outside of the US because I feel like data would not be reflective of the American population since we are using a completely different system. Lastly, I find it striking that because of these differences some disorders are less common across the pond than here in the States. I do not recall all of the disorders that are increasingly more prevalent here, but I think they were Pervasive Developmental Disorders and ADHD. The inconsistency across all countries means that we will never have concrete definitions for diagnoses and in this case families will be the ones to suffer and difficult for researchers to continue with studies. I think this holds especially true for childhood disorders like Bipolar where it is difficult to diagnose for multiple reasons, as stated …show more content…
Family cohesion or the lack thereof can trigger symptoms. In my opinion, the son had a genetic precursor to developing Bipolar and the ADHD, but the mother’s lack of empathy and mood swings is a trigger to the sons bipolar and ADHD. The family dynamic is what causes the son to act out. Further, the family is of a low socioeconomic background because of financial strain due to medical costs and the mother not being stable enough to work. They are strapped with being able to get adequate help for their son and for her. Majority of families with low socioeconomic statuses share this common problem for proper treatment. Maybe with more research, families of all SES statuses will be able to get the same treatment and help they needed. These articles proved that researchers and professionals to conduct more studies, obtain more cases and use more
Bipolar Disorder (Formerly known as Manic Depression) is a mental illness linked to alterations in moods such as mood swings, mania, and depression. There is more than one type, Bipolar I and Bipolar II, and the subcategories are divided by the severity of the symptoms seen, such as cyclothymic disorder, seasonal mood changes, rapid cycling disorder and psychosis. Age of onset usually occurs between 15-30 years old with an average onset of 25 years old but it can affect all ages. (Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital , 2013) Bipolar disorder affects more than two million people in the United States every year. (Gardner, 2011)
I have chosen to do a paper on Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar is a disorder in when a person’s mood inappropriately alternates between feelings of mania and depression. A bipolar mania is a mental illness classified by psychiatry as a mood disorder. Also individuals with bipolar disorder experience episodes of an elevated or agitated mood known as mania or hypomania, depending on the severity alternating with episodes of depression.
Eric Beck meets criteria for Bipolar 1 disorder. He shows some signs of General Anxiety Disorder as well. Anxiety disorders are the most coming co-occurring disorder with Bipolar 1. To be diagnosed with Bipolar 1 disorder you must meet criteria for Major Depressive Episode and Manic Episode. Eric meets criteria for part A of Major Depressive Episode due to his extensive history of depression. He stated that “I suffer even when doing things, I should enjoy.” He often had feelings of guilt or worthlessness. Along with this Eric struggled from a lack of concentration. He also had recurrent thoughts of death and has tried to commit suicide.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong mood disorder characterized by periods of mania, depression, or a mixed manic-depressive state. The condition can seriously affect a person’s reasoning, understanding, awareness, and behavior. Acco...
Crowe, M. (2011). Feeling out of control: A qualitative analysis of the impact of bipolar
“When one is diagnosed with manic depression, one’s status as a rational person is thrown into question. What it means to be rational or irrational depends on what notions of personhood are in play, notions that must be understood in their cultural context” (Martin, 2007). In American culture we have a blurred line between what is rational and what is irrational. The biggest blurred line is between what is rational for a man and what is rational for a woman. Mania and depression that is within the context of bipolar disorder cross that line because today in American culture mania is considered a male characteristic, while depression is considered a highly female characteristic. But when you are afflicted by bipolar disorder you don’t get to choose one or the other; you are stuck with both ends of the spectrum. Although there is a reported equal rate of bipolar disorder in men and women, there are a myriad of significant sex and gender differences related to not only that culturally blurred line and it’s influence on everyday life but also the cause of the disorder and of the episodes, symptoms, diagnosis, and comorbidity that bipolar disorder entails.
Bipolar disorder is a serious psychiatric disorder that can have serious consequences is not treated. Bipolar disorder is a different in a few ways in children and adults. Bipolar can be managed with different treatment options. There are many places to seek help. Remember to get educated about bipolar disorder in order to help manage their bipolar disorder.
Bipolar Disorder can be classified by the occurrence of manic episodes followed by hypomanic or major depressive episodes. A manic episode is a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, extensive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased goal-directed activity or energy, lasting at least 1 week and present most of the day, nearly every day. During the specific period of mood disturbance and increased energy or activity, many symptoms are present. Some examples of these symptoms can include: -Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, and are more talkative than usual (“Bipolar and Related Disorders, “n.d.). There is a 10- 15% risk of completed suicide associated with Bipolar Disorder (“Bipolar Depression”, 2)
Bipolar disorder can strike at any age but most commonly strikes at age 18 in bipolar I; for bipolar II disorder, the age is 22 (Durand and Barlow 189). It has also been found that children can be seen with bipolar disorder early on. This is not very prevalent, and is only one in every 200 cases. This is thought to occur because many children with manic depression might have been misdiagnosed or just thought of as hyperactive and disruptive. The early symptoms of childhood bipolar disorder, distractibility, irritability, and hyperactivity are also the signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)(Harvard Mental Health Letter, March 1997). It is mainly for this reason that many cases might be misdiagnosed as ADHD and the prevalence of bipolar disorder in children could be much higher.
Paris, J. (2004), Psychiatric diagnosis and the bipolar spectrum, in Canadian Psychiatric Association Bulletin, viewed on 28 March 2014, http://ww1.cpa-apc.org:8080/publications/bulletin/currentjune/editorialEn.asp.
4) Manic-Depressive & Depressive Association of Boston, an article discussing the genetics of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is the condition in which one’s mood switches from periods of extreme highs known as manias to periods of extreme lows known as depression. The name bipolar comes from the root words bi (meaning two) and polar (meaning opposite) (Peacock, 2000). Though often bipolar disorder is developed in a person’s late teens to early adulthood; bipolar disorder’s early symptoms can sometimes be found in young children or may develop later on in life (National Institutes of, 2008). Bipolar disorder has been found to affect both men and women equally. Currently the exact cause of bipolar disorder is not yet known, however it has been found to occur most often in the relatives of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder (National Center for, 2010).
Could you imagine being six years old and diagnosed with Bipolar? Bipolar could either have destroyed or established my life. Bipolar is very difficult to manage unless you learn to tame it. I knew there were necessary things I had to accomplish if I wanted to gain control. High school was very difficult for me at times but I decided to be proactive. I chose to be the best person I could be, to find things I love to do, like soccer, to balance stress, and to turn my grades around from B’s and C’s to straight A’s in my junior year. During these high school years, I have attained a much better understanding of what it means to enjoy life and be successful in the process.
On the NASP’s site, they define bipolar disorder and the common coexisting disorders. In the textbook, Exceptional Lives, it defines BD as a category of mood disorders in which the student experiences recurring and extreme mood episodes, in which the book defines these mood episodes in more detail. The website states that though there is a specific criteria for the length of mood episodes in adults, the criteria in children and adolescents are unclear as they often go through a rapid cycle, symptoms occurring on a weekly, daily, or hourly basis. It is the...
The results of this study could be useful to share with parents of children affected by ADHD. Although the “Indigo parents” represent a unique sub-group, their positive perceptions did appear to have an impact on reported levels of stress and frustration within families. Perhaps families can utilize these results to rethink their own perceptions of children with ADHD in a positive, new light.