Ride the Tiger: A guild through the Bipolar Brain
Information Applied to Practice Compared to other areas of medicine, mental health is decades behind in finding and applying new intervention strategies that work to alleviate and sooth symptoms of mental health disorders. The use of therapy, medication and in extreme cases electroshock therapy has been used since the 1950s to aid patients in recovery. However, there are new advances in technology that are currently being developed to better understand and assist in the fight against mental health disorders such as bipolar (“Ride the Tiger, 2016). The documentary Ride the Tiger: A guild through the Bipolar Brain (2016) seeks to shed light on mental health inventions that could be used in
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This hope is particularly needed in cases where patients are not able to respond to standard treatment options. According to the documentary, medicine is the most commonly used intervention mechanism to elevate and dull symptoms of bipolar disorder (2016). Of all the medicine used to combat bipolar disorder, lithium, is considered the “gold standard.” It has been shown to be the most effective and consistent and treating symptoms, however, only 30% of patients benefit from using lithium (2016). Other medications can be used, but have varying levels of effectiveness in patients. It often takes years for patients to find the right mixture of medication to help combat symptoms. For some patients with bipolar, medication is useless at fighting symptoms (2016). For example, the video followed Gary who was desperate for treatment and who was thought to be medication resistant. He elected to participate in Electro-convulsive therapy (ETC), which induces remission in 80% of patients and has been known to be rapidly effective for those with bi-polar disorder. For Gary, the treatment was used to apply electric current to the brain. This current changed the way neurons connect to one another in his brain and even stimulated the …show more content…
In fact, according to the documentary, people have the ability to help rewire connections within their own brains (2016). Tom Insel, the former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, states that the “repetition of behavior changes that way the brain is wired and then the way the brain is functioning.” These changes in the brain, he explains, is what leads to recovery (2016). Some existing and developed behaviors can be viewed in the context of individual strengths and can be applied to intervention. These behaviors include but are not limited to praying, talk therapy, thinking positively, and meditation. These behaviors have been shown to rewire mind and can lead to happiness for many patients
... in assisting those who care about the bipolar individual, as well as providing socialization and a means to not feel alone. Generally, as a last resort, electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT is used. An electrical current is passed through the brain. This is thought to change the brain chemistry and increase the mood. This is used only for severe depression or when symptoms are unsuccessfully treated with medications. People with Bipolar Disorder are encouraged to avoid drinking alcohol, avoid the use of street drugs or misusing prescription medications, avoid unhealthy relationships, get plenty of sleep, and exercise on a regular basis. One thing is clear. The person themselves must be active in their own well-being in order to maintain a relatively healthy and productive lifestyle. In so doing, the prognosis for someone diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder is very good.
Geddes, J. R., & Miklowitz, D. J. (2013). Treatment of Bipolar Disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1672-1682. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60857-0
More than 57 million people in the United States suffer from some type of mental disorder. Mental illnesses can turn a person’s world upside down. These medical conditions can disrupt every aspect of a person and their family’s lives. Mental disorders do not discriminate; age, sex, or color does not matter when it comes to mental illness. Many people live with different types of mental health problems. These problems can be anxieties, drug or alcohol addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, and personality and mood disorders. People can suffer from one or more of these conditions. There are treatment options available but unfortunately treatable mental illness is being left untreated. Many people feel ashamed or just don’t realize the help available to them. In the past several decades there have been substantial changes in the care for those with mental disorders but even with all the technology, science and a better understanding of what mental illness is, improvement of the lives of those with a mental illness still falls short. One disorder seems to be making its way to the front of the line of all the different disorders out there. Bipolar disorder. Statistics are saying by 2020 bipolar disorder will be the number two health ailment, right behind heart decease (Reilly 224). We can teach society about this disorder and educate people on the see-saw of emotions tied to bipolar and the treatment that is available to them to help ease some of the weight on bipolar patients and their loved ones. There is hope!
Miklowitz, D. G. and Otto, M.W. (2006). New Psychosocial Interventions for Bipolar Disorder: A review of literature and introduction of the systematic treatment enhancement program. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy. 20, 214-230.
As science has evolved, so have treatments for mental illnesses have over time. The medical model is described as the view that psychological disorders are medical diseases with a biological origin (King, 2010, pg. 413). Abnormal behavior that categorizes some disorders can be impacted by biological factors such as genes, psychological factors such as childhood experiences, and even sociocultural factors such as gender and race (King, 2010). Treatments such as psychosurgery (lobotomy) , drug therapy (pharmaceuticals), electroconclusive therapy, and psychoanalysis are used to treat a wide range of psychological disorders. Back then, the public’s negative views on mental illnesses also went as far to associate with the people who treated it; psychiatrists. “Nunnally (1961) found that the public evaluated professionals who treated mental disorders significantly more negatively than those who treat physical disorders,” (Phelan, Link, Stueve, & Pescosolido, 2000, pg. 189). People back then didn’t see the point in “paying to be told that they were crazy”. However, in today’s society, it is now acceptable to seek help from psychiatric professionals; we are seeing more and more people seek mental health treatment. “In terms of facility-based records of utilization (Manderscheid and Henderson 1998), the data suggest that the rate of utilization of professional mental health services has at least doubled and maybe tripled, between the 1950’s and today,” (Phelan, Link, Stueve, & Pescosolido, 2000, pg. 189). In the 1950’s, neuroleptic drugs like Thorazine were introduced to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia. These drugs block a neurotransmitter called dopamine from getting to the brain, which in turn reduce schizophrenic symptoms, however there are some side effects such as substantial twitching of the neck, arms, and legs, and even dysphoria or lack of pleasure. (King, 2010, pg.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment for severe mental illness in which the brain is stimulated with a strong electrical current which induces a seizure. The seizure rearranges the brain's neurochemistry and results in an elevation of mood. This essay asks: Is ECT any safer and more effective in treating mood disorders than drug therapies? This treatment has a controversial history ever since it was first introduced in 1938. I intend to argue that electroconvulsive therapy is indeed a safe treatment of mental disorders when other treatments have failed. Due to the development of safer and less traumatic ways of administering ECT, the treatment has made a comeback, is greatly used, and proves to be effective.
Crowe, M. (2011). Feeling out of control: A qualitative analysis of the impact of bipolar
The doctor states “ This disease is beyond my practice; yet I have known those which have walk’d in their sleep who have died holily in their beds.” (5.1.48) He is stating that her treatment is beyond his power and he cannot heal her. In this time period they did not have the medication we have today. Today, some of the most common drugs used for bipolar disorder are lithium, antidepressants, antipsychotics and anti-seizure medications. Most of these medications have side effects such as; weight gain, drowsiness, seizures, and sometimes-even death. Doctor William Walsh claims that natural treatments work also. These include; meditation, a healthy no sugar diet, getting enough omega-3 fatty acids, and even something as simple as gathering a bouquet of
Hopkins, H.S. and Gelenberg, A.J. (1994). Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: How Far Have We Come? Psychopharmacology Bulletin. 30 (1): 27-38.
Hollon, S. D. & Beck, A. T. (2004). Cognitive and cognitive behavioral therapies. Bergin And Garfield’S Handbook Of Psychotherapy And Behavior Change, 5 pp. 447--492.
Medications are a major part of treating bipolar disorder however, they can be dangerous especially in children. In the video Rebecca Riley died due to overdose of untested drugs. Many children who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder are put on multiple medications. This is because one medication may cause side effects that may need another medication to subdue that side effect. Many will need antipsychotics as well as antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. Psychologist also can’t determine a proper dosage or treatment of medication without experimenting. Basically psychologist have to use their best guess and see how the child’s behavior changes. Many of the research on the effect medications have on mental disorders is based on results from adult trials. As stated previously many children with severe bipolar disorder are prescribed many medications at one time even without full research on the side effects. In the article, Medications Prescribed for Children with Mood Disorders: Effects of a Family-Based Psychoeducation Program, it explains the issues that are seen in the video we watched. The study however, noted a decrease in medication use when using psychoeducational psychotherapy programs. The goal of these programs is to inform and allow families to take a more active role in medication management. Based on the article it does state that medication is quite us full in treating mood disorders contrary to what was stated in the video. The video stated that medications may not work well or at all with children. At some point in order to expand research on medications drug companies needed incentive. Pediatric studies began during the Clinton administration and drug companies were awarded 6 months exclusivity and trademarking the medications produced for pediatric studies. Warning labels could soon be put on bottles to warn
The severe mood fluctuations of bipolar or manic-depressive disorders have been around since the 16-century and affect little more than 2% of the population in both sexes, all races, and all parts of the world (Harmon 3). Researchers think that the cause is genetic, but it is still unknown. The one fact of which we are painfully aware of is that bipolar disorder severely undermines its victims ability to obtain and maintain social and occupational success. Because the symptoms of bipolar disorder are so debilitation, it is crucial that we search for possible treatments and cures.
The current methods have benefited many individuals when going through crisis then stabilizing individuals to the point that they can function in society. So what happens when the benefits are not reaped? These individuals could go through psychotic change. Thomas Hudson stated (1978), "the mind has a dual character, which he described as the subjective mind and the objective mind.
However it can also make room for medical, legal and ethical dilemmas. Advances in medical technology enable individuals to delay the inevitable fate of death, overcome cancer, diabetes, and various traumatic injuries. Our advances in medical technologies now allow these individuals to do things on their own terms. The “terminally ill” state is described as having an incurable or irreversible condition that has a high probability of causing death within a relatively short time with or without treatment (Guest, p.3, 1998). A wide range of degenerative diseases can fall into either category, ranging from, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease and many forms of cancer. This control, however, lays assistance, whether direct or indirect, from a
Cancer patients often wonder if going through treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are worth the risk of the side effects, in addition to the cancerous side effects. They feel that they can’t enjoy or relax in what a short amount of time they have left because they are bedridden from the nausea and pain that treatments put them through. Patients tell their loved ones to just let them die so long as they don’t have to go through any more pain. Those who are too old, are unable to recover from the effects, or are just too far in the grips of cancer, should refuse the more harsh treatments like chemo and radiation. On the positive side, refusing treatments after a certain point can save their families from the stress and cost of hospital bills. If caught early enough, patients can opt for safer and easier routes to getting rid of cancer like surgery or by doing a stem cell transplant.