Like most things in life, there are many variables to take into account before someone is diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. I agree with Carlson (2009) when he states that there is an issue with the definition and assessment of Bipolar disorder. Psychology diagnoses are constantly changing because we are continuously discovering specific criteria to meet disorders such as Bipolar. The hardest part of psychology is correctly diagnosing a disorder because symptoms between different diagnoses can intersect (such as hyperactivity as a symptom of ADHD and mania). That is why one professional diagnosis will not be the same as another professional diagnosis of the same client. I find that in this field it is all about perspective. Your past experiences …show more content…
will give you an understanding of the world around you and no one can share the same perspective. Perspective will directly correlate with the barriers that Carlson mentions in this article. The terminology used among professionals is different because not everyone agrees. Therefore it is harder to determine an exact diagnosis when researchers are all using unique terms, for example: pediatric BP, juvenile BP, pre-pubertal BP, pubertal BP, mania, mood deregulation, EOBP, VEOBP) (Carlson, et al. 2009). Carlson (2009) states that superficially two groups, group A and group B, may look like bipolar but group B may have specific symptoms are unique to group A.
Carlson states that there are multiple factors that are involved in the symptomology of clients. He indicates that psychosocial variables play a major role in development and that further research needs to be done to understand the impact of early childhood maltreatment and how that effects the human brain. Ultimately, I agree with most of what Carlson is stating in this article because within psychology there are millions of variables that are differ between two different people. Their life paths are never exactly the same. I think that it is safe to say that there is a spectrum of mood disorders, and symptoms often tend to overlap. However every case is specific to the individual and treatment should be specific to that individual as well. I strongly agree with the fact that we need to take more precautions as professionals with treatment and understand that the maltreatment of children can greatly impact the cognitive development of the brain (Carlson, et al. …show more content…
2009). Youngstorm (2009) delves into the mood disorders and describes in layman’s terms the criteria to meet each disorder.
Every professional should read this article because it has valuable information in terms of diagnosing. Youngstorm states that to meet bipolar criteria, you have to show a lifetime of MDD and manic episodes. A professional may not get a lifetime of symptoms in one evaluation with a new client. They may not disclose this information, or the professional may take it upon themselves to assume that the client has had a lifetime of these events, although they may have only started in the past few years. Maybe after a professional gets to know a client after a few sessions they are able to correctly diagnose a client. I know from my personal experience of being prescribed mood stabilizers, that it wasn’t the correct diagnosis. I was a teenager, struggling from trauma. I presented symptoms of what looked like cyclothymic disorder but all medications made me worse instead of better. I was able to go to therapy and do the work emotionally instead of being medicated and it was a greater help than anything. I think that professionals are given limited time, with nervous clients, and assess a situation and need to label it right away (usually for insurance purposes). I agree with Younstorm that there is a continuum of mood disorders. There are the more severe cases that are easier to identify but there are also the broader mood disruptions that can classify as well and
are a little more difficult to diagnose (Youngstorm, 2009). I am in agreement with both articles. To define such a broad spectrum is difficult because people define disorders differently. The DSM 5 tries to cut down on confusion by stating specific criteria that can match each diagnoses. The problem is that symptoms overlap with many other diagnoses and some symptoms are so broad it they can manifest in different ways with many different disorders, especially within the mood disorder spectrum. My opinion on being diagnosed with anything is that you need to be in therapy and find a therapist that will fit your needs of getting past emotional barriers and start changing brain chemistry by cutting out all negative behaviors that are disrupting brain chemistry as well because they are probably playing a role in the moods that a client is presenting.
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)
In DSM-V, bipolar 1 disorder is defined as meeting the following criteria for a manic episode, which may or may not be followed by a hypomanic or major depressive episode: There must be a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irri...
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.
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...
Bipolar Disorder is a type of mental illness, more precisely a mood disorder which is characterized by mania and depressive episodes. Mania is a period of elevated or irritable moods and depression episodes are low or sad moods, these episodes can last from a few days to several months and can impair the ability to function in everyday life. There are several classifications of these episodes and even mixed states in which one experiences both episodes at the same time. To be diagnosed with BD you must seek a health care provider who performs a thorough exam and lab tests to look for other illnesses that may be causing the symptoms that resemble BD. The diagnosis is based on the self – reported experiences and abnormalities in behavior reported by your family members, friends and co-workers.
Bipolar disorder is more common than thought. It is being more diagnoised in younger ages than adults. There are a few causes and triggers of biplolar disorder. There are numerous signs and symptoms of mania and depression. Bipolar disorder in children and adults differ in a few ways. Three differents types of treatments are avilable. There is also a few places to go for help. Bipolar disorder can be can lead to serious issues if left untreated thats why its important to be educated about bipolar to help loved ones.
A mood disturbance is classified as severe if it causes a marked impairment in social or occupational functioning or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or if there are psychotic features. However, this episode is not attributable to the psychological effects of a substance (“Bipolar and Related Disorders, “n.d.). During a manic episode, individuals often do not perceive that they are ill or in need of treatment and vehemently resist efforts to be treated. Individuals may change their dress, makeup, or personal appearance to a more sexually suggestive or flamboyant style. Some perceive a sharper sense of smell, hearing, or vision. Gambling and antisocial behaviors may accompany the manic episode (“Bipolar and Related Disorders, “n.d.).
A person suffering from bipolar disorder alternates from manic states to those of depression. These emotional states can alternate cyclically or one mood may dominate over the other. It is also possible for the two to be mixed or combined with each other.
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).
However, the most clear and abundant effect of childhood trauma appeared to be behavioral problems. This was also the issue that often got covered up the most with “he/she is just a bad kid.” Like what was mentioned before, no kid is a bad kid. However, because the behavioral problems are what normally catches everybody’s eyes its normally what is caught first. Then you have the learning and emotional problems. Many people will often say that the child is slow or that they are sensitive, but many times there is so much more to the problem. There is a much larger problem lying in the background that often causes all the rest of the problems and it is not something that can just be brushed away with words like “lazy, slow, and sensitive.” The main problem must be directed head on that way we can potentially stop these negative effects and labeling that come from childhood
Children are usually known for their innocence and happiness but this is not always the case for every child. The environment a child grows up in affects them for the rest of their life. Growing up in a bad household can set a child up to live an unusual life. Children that are abused by their parents are more likely to form psychiatric issues. Dr. Ken Magid, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of severely abused children, says in Child of Rage, “These children have been so traumatized in the first years of life that they cannot form a bond with other people. These children do not have a conscience and they can hurt or even kill without any feelings of remorse.” Children must be able to form normal, healthy relationships at home in order to develop a normal conscience. The child interviewed displayed so much hate and resent towards males all because her birth father would rape her when she was thirteen months old. She talked about trying to kill her own brother and did not even seem disturbed from her intentions. Everything that happens to a young child will affect them for the rest of their life...
Having faced either physical and/or sexual maltreatment, young people who are maltreated tend to have impaired physical and emotional social functions.
I noticed quite a few years ago that suddenly everyone in early recovery from addiction to drugs and alcohol was also being diagnosed as bipolar; not just a few people, almost everyone was labeled bipolar. Most of these individuals were also taking medications that their doctor had prescribed to deal with their mania and depression. Suddenly everyone had a “dual diagnosis,” these seemed like magical words for managed-care approvals.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition that can affect how you feel and how you act. It is a mood disorder caused by chemical imbalances in the brain that can result in extreme mood swings, from manic highs to depressive lows. Also known as manic-depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is categorized and determined as “a psychological state in which a person experiences a mood disorder causing radical alterations in their moods”. Elevated levels of either manic or depression are very common with a person affected by a bipolar disorder.
... exposed to abusive environments show delays or restrictions in their physical growth as well as in their mental development (Smith, 1975).