Bipolar Disorder Case Study

INTRODUCTION

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder (BD) is an illness that causes severe mood swings. Patients may compare the emotions to being on a rollercoaster. Most patients are diagnosed in their late teens to early adulthood, usually before 24. There are two episodes that the patient may express, manic and depression. The major sign of manic episodes is overly excitement. Mania can be characterized by elevated irritation, leading to violent behavior. Also extreme happiness is present causing rapid talking and racing thoughts. Depressive episodes can be characterized by mood changes during daily chores. Loss interest in things that once pleasured them such as sex. In most cases patients will experience insomnia and thoughts of suicide. In the most severe case one can experience hallucinations and delusion. Doctors are able to diagnose patients with BD by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMS).

Diagnosis

According to the DMS, BD as different types.

Bipolar 1 can have episodes that last up to 7 days. Patients with this type only have one episode in their life. Manic and mixed episodes will occur. One may experience depression and hypomania with Bipolar 2, but it doesn’t interfere with everyday task. Rapid cycling is the most severe type of BD. Patients will experience four or more episodes in a year, and is seen in mostly women. Physical exams and interview can help a doctor diagnose individuals with the correct type. Lab tests can be done to rule out other mental disorders. This disorder can worsen if left untreated. Most people will cope with the episodes by abusing drugs or alcohol, which can trigger an episode. BD cannot be cured, therefore treatment is long

term.
Treatment
Treatment is used to help control they symptoms for either types of the disorder. The perfect treatment is individually based and usually is a combination of drugs. There are a few drugs to help with stabilizing moods; Lamictal, Depakote, and Lithium. Lamictal aids in the control of depressive symptoms. Depakote is a popular drug that helps with both manic and depressive episodes. Its also an alternative of lithium, which is the most common drug. It was approved in the 70s by the FDA. The side effects can range from mild to severe. Depakote and Lamictal my cause drowsiness, headache, constipation and cold like symptoms. Lithium has side effects such as restlessness, acne and joint pain. Patients on lithium should have their liver and thyroid checked. Long time use can kidney and thyroid diseases.
Lithium
Lithium was banned in 1949 after it failed to help patients. Instead it was causing death. Later it was unbanned after a successful experiment led by John Cade, which opened doors to the drug. Although people were skeptical initially, Lithium became the main medication in manic depressive illnesses such as BD in 1974. It is suggested that BD is associated with the serotonin system of the brain. The action of lithium is done on the serotonin 1A receptor, causing anti-depressive and anti-suicidal reactions. PETs and MRIs have allowed doctors to find the relationship between BD and serotonin. In animal based experiments lithium regulates serotonin 1A. Although this is a good drug, it can have adverse effects on the kidney.