Download bipolar disorder - mrsashleymhelmsclass

Bipolar Disorder
ROXANNA ZUNIGA
MARCH 6TH 2013/ PERIOD 1
Most commonly called bipolar disorder
this mental illness is also known as
manic-depressive disorder.
Cause and Transmission
-Genetics: a history
of bipolar disorder in
families increases
the risk of
developing this
disorder, but genes
involved are still
unknown
-Brain-chemical
imbalance:
imbalance of
neurotransmitters
-Environmental
factors: abuse,
traumatic events,
and stress can all
trigger bipolar
disorder which then
causes the illness to
develop and progress
on its own
Target Population
Mainly targets adolescents or people in their early
twenties, but it takes several years to correctly
diagnose bipolar disorder which conflicts with age.
Where and How Bipolar Disorder
Affects the CNS & PNS
Researchers are not sure what areas in the central nervous system are affected by
bipolar disorder but with special technology such as magnetic resonance imagery
(MRI), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT or neuroSPECT)
scans they have determined that abnormal activity occurs in the frontal and
temporal lobes of the forebrain, the prefrontal cortex, and there has been evidence
of abnormalities in the amygdala. This information can not be used to diagnose
bipolar disorder.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary amongst each of the three types of bipolar disorder and the two states.
Symptoms of manic episodes:
Symptoms of depressive episodes:
-Feeling of euphoria
-Feeling of hopelessness, despair
-Over self-confidence, raise in self-esteem
-Suicidal thoughts
-Rapid, excessive talking
-Insomnia and other sleeping problems
-Racing thoughts and acting upon bizarre
ideas
-Anxiety
-Engaging in risky behavior
-Difficulty concentrating
-Wasteful with money
-Psychosis
-Showing behavior of aggression or
underperformance
-Guilt
-Change in eating patterns
-Weight loss or gain
-Difficulty concentrating
-Fatigue
-Becoming easily irritated
-Difficulty facing typical activities
Prognosis
The prognosis for bipolar disorder differs amongst people considering
there are three different types of bipolar disorder which are bipolar I,
bipolar II, and cyclothymia. In some cases it can be very severe and longterm or mild with less episodes occurring. The depressive states and
manic states differ in how frequent compared to the others, depressive is
more frequent but patients still experience a mixed state. Age factors in to
how bipolar effects an individual. Children and adolescents alternate in
mood and behavior while adults alternate between manic and depressive
states. There has been evidence of higher death rates from suicide in
patients that have bipolar disorder. Individuals that do seek treatment
have shown to have greater survival rates.
Cure & Treatment
-Prescription medications: reduce the amount of depression/mania/hypomania
episodes and to stop the symptoms of each when they appear
-Depression & mania triggers: help the patient identify their personal triggers
of depression/mania and how to avoid them
-Hospitalization: only in severe cases are patients hospitalized to avoid them
hurting themselves
-Lithium: most common prescribed drug to treat depression/mania episodes
-Antipsychotics: psychiatric medication that treat psychosis
(delusions/hallucinations)
-Psychotherapy: another manner of identifying specific triggers and helps
recognize the first symptom that will lead to an episode
Kurt Cobain Case Study
Kay Redfield Jamison a professor of psychiatry at
the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
and a leading expert in bipolar disorder used Kurt
Cobain in a 2004 study of bipolar disorder.
In an interview with Kurt’s cousin, Bev Cobain, it is revealed by
Bev that Kurt had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The Depressive State: Kurt Cobain had suffered from
depression for most of his life beginning in his childhood. He
constantly brought up thoughts of suicide in conversations,
journals, and interviews.
The Manic State: He had many incidents that illustrate many
characteristics of mania. Kurt abused both alcohol and drugs.
He showed the rage quality of mania by writing high emotional
and angry letter directed towards individuals that had wronged
him. He would also destroy sets and hotel rooms during feelings
of fury, but also during feelings of high spirit. Another incident
was his erratic behavior when attempting to escape rehab.
There is a connection in his bipolar disorder coming from blood relatives
in his family there were multiple suicides. On his father’s side, two
great-uncles had committed suicide. Burle Cobain shot himself in the
stomach and head. Kenneth Cobain also shot himself in the head.
Ernest Cobain died from an aneurysm when falling down stairs drunk.
Suicide is argued but Ernest was sternly told by doctors to stop drinking
or he would surely die. On his mothers side, his great-grandfather
stabbed himself in front of his mother and great-grandmother.
Famous Faces of Bipolar Disorder
International Bipolar Foundation
The “Behind the Mask” gala is just one of
the upcoming events shown on their website:
www.internationalbipolarfoundation.org
The International Bipolar Foundation is a San
Diego based non-profit organization with a goal to
cure and prevent bipolar disorder with mass
research, spread awareness and provide support
services to those affected, and to eliminate
associated stigmas. Their committees do a variety
of work which includes spreading awareness
through lectures, raising funds for research
through organized social events, and arranging
support groups for those dealing with this illness.
Works Cited
Basile, M. (2005). Bipolar Disorder. In B. Narins (Ed.), The Gale
Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 166-170).
Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX3451500062&v=2.1&
u=cary81451&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
Ford-Martin, P. A. (2002). Bipolar Disorder. In D. S. Blanchfield & J. L.
Longe (Eds.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp.
485-490). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX3405600231&v=2.1&
u=cary81451&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w
Nordqvist, C. (2012, August 16). "What Is Bipolar Disorder? What Causes
Bipolar Disorder?."Medical News Today. Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37010.php.