Bipolar Disorder

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Bipolar Disorder is a serious and complicated mood disorder characterized by abnormal fluctuations between an individual’s high and low moods. Mania, Depression, Hypomania and Mixed Episodes are the predominant moods that can be identified in the different forms of Bipolar Disorder (GlaxoSmithKlein, 2007). The etiology, symptomology, and treatment for each mood and form of Bipolar Disorder vary as well. Moods can be identified by a person’s level of happiness, sadness, outlook on life and how he may physically feel (Mondimore, 2006). Patients struggling with Bipolar Disorder have difficulty regulating the euphoric highs of mania, the “black hole” feelings of depression, the “softer side” of hypomania and the incessant cycling of Mixed Episodes. With so many different forms of this mood disorder, Bipolar Disorder can be difficult to recognize and treat. The mood of Mania can be described as a person’s ultimate high. People in a manic state can sleep as little as two to four hours a night, get to work before seven o’clock in the morning and not leave the office until eight o’clock in the evening. After work, they can go out for drinks with coworkers until midnight. After a long day of work and socializing, they still have the energy to work more on other projects. The next day they can restart the same process, without feeling tired (Fieve, 2000). They have an abnormal increased amount of energy which allows them to work long hours on projects. The completion of many large projects creates an aura of overconfidence and grandiosity. People in a manic state are constantly filled with racing thoughts, causing a fast rate of speech. As one thought quickly leads to another thought, these individuals feel the need to act on every t... ... middle of paper ... ...tanding depression: What we know and what you can do about it. New York City: John Whiley & Sons, Inc. Fieve, R. (2000). Bipolar II: Enhance your highs, boost your lows, and escape the cycles of recurrent depression. New York, NY: Rodale, Inc.. GlaxoSmithKlein, (2007). Bipolar. Retrieved October 27, 2007, from bipolar.com Web site: http://www.bipolar.com/ Mayo Clinic Staff, (2006, November 17). Bipolar disorder. Retrieved October 27, 2007, from www.mayclinic.com Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar- disorder/DS00356 Mondimore, F.M. (2006). Bipolar disorder: A guide for patients and families. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Mota-Costillo, M. (2004).Bipolar disorder and genetics: Beyond question. Psychiatric Times. 21. Wellman, N. (2007).Bipolar disorder. Primary Health Care. 17.5, 31-34.

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