Condition and its history
Bipolar is one of the major disorders in the current world. As with any other psychiatric condition, it is not easy for the patient to realize that they are suffering from the disorder. A patient with this condition feels thrilled than the normal level. For instance, they are happy for long periods. Also, the patient lacks sleep and being too impulsive in his or her decisions. Bipolar is a disturbing disorder as it makes the people around the patient feel insecure because of the patients’ impulsive thoughts (Malhi and Bell). Besides, they don’t know what the patient will do next. Therefore, it is a challenging condition for both the patient and the people surrounding them.
Bipolar was first discovered by a French Psychiatrist, Jean-Pierre Falret, in 1851 through the article he published (“History Of Bipolar Disorder”). In the article, he has described the characteristics of the condition and its impacts on the health of an individual. Various scientists have researched the condition, and the symptoms have been affirmed to change over time. For example, if the condition is not treated, it keeps on being worse over time. The condition first appeared in DSM in 1980 when the third revision was done in medical history.
Psychology of the condition
Bipolar can either be caused by biological differences or genetic factors. Under biological bipolar, psychiatrist doctors have affirmed that this condition can be caused by brain problems (Gitlin and Malhi). For instance, the patients diagnosed with this condition have been confirmed to have physical changes in the brain. However, the source of these changes is still not defined. Besides, bipolar is more common for people who have first degree relatives who have been diagnosed with this condition. As such, they are at a higher risk of getting the disorder. The condition can be caused by traumatic experiences, media, and many other social pressures.
Condition Analysis
The external people can quickly notice a patient suffering from bipolar, though it is hard for them to know the condition themselves. Under the first bipolar episodes, there is an extreme or high level of confidentiality in everything, euphoria (Almeida et al.). Unusual talkativeness and more racing thoughts. At this point, the individual has too many thoughts and has too much expression in their talks. The individual is highly distracted with even small things over and over. Bipolar is not spread like any other disease, but one can get bipolar either genetically if they have a first degree relative to it.
Treatment
Bipolar can be treated easily when discovered early. However, this does not mean that the other stages of bipolar cannot be treated. When the condition is diagnosed early, the patient can be given drugs that they should be taking regularly to help reduce the episodes from occurring. Drugs like; Olanzapine (Zyprexa) and Quetiapine (Seroquel) can be administered to the patient to reduce the action of the episodes (Mayo Clinic). However, if the patient skips taking drugs, the episodes recur. Therefore, it should the drugs should be taken, and the doctor visited to assess the condition.
The treatment given to bipolar patients includes; medication, regular counseling services, and also constant education on the condition. In the USA, about 2.8% of the adults suffered from Bipolar in 2016, which was very high (National Institute of Mental Health). The treatment has been sufficient for many patients. More significantly, patients given drugs have been confirmed to recover, and the episodes don’t recur. The patient should maintain constant counseling services and taking medications to help the condition be treated. As such, bipolar is an actual psychiatric condition, and it should be treated seriously by visiting the doctor once the symptoms appear.
Works Cited
“History Of Bipolar Disorder”. Healthline, 2020, https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/history-bipolar.
Almeida, Hugo Sérgio et al. “Genetic Differences Between Bipolar Disorder Subtypes: A Systematic Review Focused In Bipolar Disorder Type Ii”. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2020. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.07.033.
Gitlin, Michael, and Gin S. Malhi. “The Existential Crisis Of Bipolar II Disorder”. International Journal Of Bipolar Disorders, vol 8, no. 1, 2020. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, doi:10.1186/s40345-019-0175-7.
Malhi, Gin S., and Erica Bell. “Prepubertal Bipolar Disorder: A Diagnostic Quandary?”. International Journal Of Bipolar Disorders, vol 8, no. 1, 2020. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, doi:10.1186/s40345-020-00187-0.
Mayo Clinic. “Bipolar Disorder – Symptoms And Causes”. Mayo Clinic, 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955.
National Institute of Mental Health. “NIMH » Bipolar Disorder”. Nimh.Nih.Gov, 2020, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder.shtml#:~:text=An%20estimated%202.8%25%20of%20U.S.,%25)%20and%20females%20(2.8%25).