Essay On Bipolar Suicide

Introduction

Mental illness affects more than 60 million people in the United States. The perceived stigma, misdiagnosis, lack of treatment and medication availability contribute to the difficulty in leading a healthy, normal life. The correlations between mental illnesses and physical health link higher rate of suicide (Dalton, Cate-Carter, Mundo, Parikh, Kennedy, 2003). Bipolar, a serious and debilitating mood disorder, which is common in individuals who commit suicide, affects more than 13 million people. The quality of life in bipolar patients diminishes significantly with poor health choices, such as self-medication and substance abuse (Cassidy, 2011).

The risk of at least one suicide attempt in a lifetime by Bipolar patients ranges from 25-60% (Valtonen, Suominen, Mantere,Leppamaki, Arviolommi, Isometsa, 2006). The completed suicide rate of Bipolar patients range 4-19% over a lifetime

(Dalton, Cate-Carter, Mundo, Parikh, Kennedy, 2003). There is evidence that supports that the risk of Suicide increases with substance abuse, such as alcohol and drugs (Cassidy, 2011). There is substantial evidence to support the likelihood that the Suicide rate of attempted suicide and completed suicide of Bipolar patients increases with the combination of substance abuse, which is commonly known as substance use disorders.

The Purpose of the Study

The intent of the proposed study is to learn about how Bipolar patients are affected in combination with substance abuse.

A large amount of considerable data has been collected to support this theory. The focus will be on adults with Bipolar Disorder and the link with substance abuse on whether the suicide rates increase. A goal of this study is to Examine Bipolar Disorder, which is a serious mental illness and effects more than 60 million individuals each year. The symptoms include mood swings with periods of high energy and low energy. In between the two extreme moods, individuals with Bipolar can experience a normal state with and without treatment. Because there are two different poles of the moods, such as escalated amounts of energy and a sluggish state, the periods of the highs of Bipolar Disorder and the extreme lows of Bipolar Disorder contribute to the name of Bipolar, two different moods that alternate without a consistent schedule. The alternating moods contribute to unrealistic grandiose ideas such as overconfidence and dramatic issues of depressive states of

mind.

The highs of Bipolar Disorder such as an excessive amount of energy or excessive happiness contribute to impulsiveness, irritability and reckless behaviors. The opposite end of the spectrum has symptoms of a depressive state where the individual may feel hopeless, sluggish and experience very low levels of energy.

The severity of this mental illness disease can affect work and relationships. There is significant evidence that supports the severity of Bipolar disorder is dramatically affected by substance abuse, such as drug and alcohol abuse.

Medication treatment is an effective tool to minimize the extreme periods of highs and lows by creating a more balanced period with less mood swings. Bipolar Disorder is a long-term illness that will require consistent lifelong care to enable a healthy lifestyle.

Rationale

The amount of research that I have completed this far, I anticipate a diverse understanding of the combination of Bipolar Disorder, Substance Abuse and the effects this has on attempted and completed suicides. I believe it is important to examine the co-morbid link between these factors to adequately help individuals with Bipolar live a healthy, normal life and increase education on treatment plans and medication availability.

This study will examine the effects of the lifelong diagnosis of the debilitating mental illness. It will also examine theories that support and disagree statistically with increases of suicide and suicide attempts. Several factors will be taken into consideration such as the age of adults, the number of suicide attempts, treatments plans and education.

Research Design and Procedures

Based upon the research I've currently found, it appears that most of the academic research approach is primary Quantitative Studies.

Body of the Research Paper
Effect of attempted and completed suicide of individuals with bipolar
Effect of age of diagnosis
Effect on diagnosis
Effect on treatment
Effect on prior suicide attempt or attempts
Effect on support system
Effect on medication availability
Effect on substance abuse dependency
Effect on physical and mental wellness
Effect on gender