A detailed description of selected illness and neurological damage

Bipolar Disorder

Genetics, Brain Structure & Behavior

Bipolar disorder is biological problem which affects the brain that causes unusual shifts in mood (Kowalski & Westen, 2009). It is also known as manic-depressive illness. Bipolar disorder is different than regular mood swings and daily ups and downs of the average person's life. Bipolar disease typically develops in late adolescent and early adulthood and is treatable; currently there is no cure for this disorder (NCBI, 2010). In this paper we will discuss bipolar disorder and the brain, behaviors associated with bipolar disorder, genetic links, causes, prevention, treatment, national and international occurrences.

Bipolar Disorder and Behavior

Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings, the individual goes from a state of mania to a state of depression. Mania is the part of the disorder where the individual has an overtly high amount of energy. A diagnosis of mania is made when the patient exhibits three or more of the following signs for the majority of the day ("Bipolar disorder," 2002), for at least a week:

Increased energy, activity, and restlessness

Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood

Extreme irritability

Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another

Distractibility, can't concentrate well

Little sleep needed

Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers

Poor judgment

Spending sprees

A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual

Increased sexual drive

Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications

Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior

Denial that anything is wrong

Depression is the part of the disorder where the patient experiences the opposite effects of mania. According to Bipolar Disorder ("Bipolar disorder," 2002) a diagnosis of a depressive episode can be concluded when a person exhibits five or more of the following symptoms lasting the majority of the day for at least two weeks or longer:

Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood

Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex

Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"

Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions

Restlessness or irritability

Sleeping too much, or can't sleep

Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain

Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury

Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

Bipolar Disorder and the Brain

Bipolar Disorder is often associated with mania, hypomania, depression, substance abuse and suicide (Mayo Clinic, 2011). The uncontrolled severe mood swings can impact the patient's feelings and choices. The depressive phase of the disorder crates a feeling of helplessness and worthlessness (Bipolar Disorder Symptoms, 2011). There are changes to the structure of the brain in individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Lundbeck Institute, n.d.). Scans of the brain have shown during the different phases of bipolar disease the brain structure changes when imaged ("Neurological illnesses, disorders," 2008). Images of the brain have shown that there are structural changes in the brain during each phase in the bipolar disorder cycle.

National Occurrences

Bipolar Disorder is not a significant problem worldwide, only 1 in 2000 people is affected worldwide. In the United States (U.S.) 1 in 83 people will be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (Health Grade, 2011), which is much higher than the rest of the world. 1.2% of the U.S. population is affected with this disorder, and 2.3 million American adults are affected by this disorder. Today there are 3.3 million people that are affected with Bipolar Disorder in the United States.

Causes and Genetics

Over the year's experts have discovered several different causes for Bipolar Disorder. An imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain creates the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. A lack of norepinephrine in the brain causes the symptoms of depression, while a surge of norepinephrine causes mania in the patient (Emedicehealth, 2011). Dopamine and Serotonin in the brain also contributes to Bipolar Disorder; however experts have not been able to describe exactly how these two agents impact the disorder. This disorder is also heavily linked to genetics. When someone in the family is diagnosed with this disorder others in the family have a higher risk of being diagnosed. Children with one affected parent have a 25% chance of getting Bipolar Disorder. Children with both affected parents have a 50% chance of getting the disorder. When one twin is affected, the other has a 66-98% chance of getting Bipolar Disorder as well. Children with an affected sibling have a 20-25% chance of getting Bipolar Disorder. There are other environmental factors such as stress that impacts Bipolar Disorder.

Treatment

Currently there is no cure for Bipolar Disorder; however there are several treatment options available. Finding the right treatment plan for patients is important; misdiagnosis and improper treatment of this disorder have serious impacts to the patient. If the patient is misdiagnosed as depressive and treated for depression, it could enhance their manic phase. "In other words, the treatment chosen should be efficacious in treating acute bipolar depressive symptoms; must have efficacy in preventing further depressive and/or manic episodes; should not have a propensity to induce a manic/hypomanic switch or worsen the course of bipolar illness by inducing rapid cycling" (Yatham, Calabrese, & Kusumakar, 2003, p. 86). Common treatments for bipolar disorder include medication such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and atypical antipsychotics. Bipolar patients will often utilize medication in conjunction with therapy to enhance effectiveness of treatment plan. Most physicians will recommend lifestyle changes such as monitoring moods, enriching the circle of support and great diet.