Bipolar Disorder Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

bipolar Disorder - Assignment Example35). approximately individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder experience episodes of mania (or, in other words, elevated moods) and depression during their whole lives. When sight experience mixed episodes, it means they are depressed and frenetic at once. While having mixed episodes, individuals whitethorn feel wound up, as well as they whitethorn work racing thoughts and find it intemperate to stay still, as typically found in mania. At the same time, these people feel dim and have suicidal thoughts, as in depression (Basco, 2005, p. viii). Clinical features of bipolar disorder are associated with the side by side(p) symptoms of mania reduced need for sleep, euphoria, as well as grandiosity. Additionally, individuals condition is characterized by mood instability, irritability, positivistic reactivity. The behavior may be aggressive and oppositional with serious temper tantrums (Cutler & Marcus, 2010, p. 481). Children and adolescents diagnosed with bipolar disorder demonstrate manic behavior, for example, they may defy a teacher and make attempts to gain control over the classroom. Some other features are masturbating somewhere in a public place, taking part in life-threatening ventures, having grievous sex with few partners, etc. Individuals with bipolar disorder are not able to sit still, have bothering thoughts which they fail to organize, act in an overly confident manner, and often move too fast (Cutler & Marcus, 2010, p.481). Bipolar disorder is subdivided into the following types bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) (Blazer & Steffens, 2009, p.301). To be diagnosed with bipolar I, an individual must(prenominal) have had ane or more manic episodes. The latter is an alteration in individuals mood which is euphoric, irritable or extremely expansive. It lasts for a week or longer and is accompanied by the following symptoms reduced need for sleep, lack of energy, pr essured speech, having racing thoughts, etc. Depressive episodes are not necessarily experienced, heretofore rather everyday (Blazer & Steffens, 2009, p.301). To be diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, individuals must have had at least one depressive episode occurring with at least one episode of hypomania. The latter involves at least four eld of mood that is altering which is accompanied by the symptoms mentioned in the previous paragraph (Blazer & Steffens, 2009, p.301). Cyclothymia is diagnosed in patients with make pass moods which cannot be fully referred to as mania or depression. As for bipolar NOS, these are disorders which have bipolar features and cannot be fully interpreted as specific bipolar disorders (Blazer & Steffens, 2009, p.301). Bipolar disorders are especially common in individuals whose behavior is characterized by substance abuse. Specifically, Leahy provides data that the rates of concominant alcohol and drug abuse may exceed 50% in younger men (Leahy, 20 06, p.35). The following case A cl first portrays bipolar disorder. A is a 38 y/o Caucasian female who reports long periods of depression deep down last 10 years. She describes having numerous episodes of feeling depressed along with 2 suicide attempts of medicine overdose. She reports losing oodles of weight during those times and having considerable sleep problems, in particular having trouble falling asleep and having early wake-ups. The patient describes several periods within the last 3 years when she was able