Bipolar Affective Disorder
The phenomenon of has been a mystery since
the 16th and 17th century. The Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was thought to of
suffered from bipolar disorder. It appears that there are an abundance of
people with the disorder yet, no true causes or cures for the disorder. Clearly
the Bipolar disorder severely undermines their ability to obtain and sustain
social and occupational success. However, the journey for the causes and cures
for the Bipolar disorder must continue.
Affective disorders are primarily characterized by depressed mood,
elevated mood or (mania), or alternations of depressed and elevated moods. The
classical term is manic-depressive illness, a newer term is Bipolar ...
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Guze. 1989, p.7 ).
Bipolar affective disorder affects approximately one percent or three
million persons in the United States, afflicting both males and females.
Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania and depression. The manic episodes
are characterized by elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased
need for sleep, poor judgment and insight, and often reckless or irresponsible
behavior (Hollandsworth, Jr. 1990 ). These episodes may alternate with profound
depressions characterized by a pervasive sadness, almost inability to move,
hopelessness, and disturbances in appetite, sleep, in concentrations and driving.
Bipolar disorder is diagnosed if an episode of mania occurs whether
depression has been diagnosed or not (Goodwin, Guze, 1989, p 11). Most commonly,
individuals with manic episodes experience a period of depression. Mood is
either elated, expansive, or irritable, hyperactivity, pressure of speech,
flight of ideas, inflated self esteem, ...
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are energetic, extroverted and assertive. The hypomania state has let
observers to feel that bipolar patients are "addicted" to their mania.
Hypomania progresses into mania as the transition is marked by loss of judgment.
Often, euphoric grandiose characters are recognized as well as a paranoid or
irritable character begins to manifest. The third stage of mania is evident
when the patient experiences delusions with often paranoid themes. Speech is
generally rapid and behavior manifests with hyperactivity and sometimes
assaultiveness.
When both manic and depressive symptoms occur at the same time it is
called a mixed episode. These people are a special risk because of ...
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"Bipolar Affective Disorder." Essayworld.com. October 24, 2008. Accessed April 24, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Bipolar-Affective-Disorder/91962.
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