StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Bipolar Disorder: Diagnostics and Treatment - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The essay "Bipolar Disorder: Diagnostics and Treatment" fcouses on the critical analysis of the major issues in the diagnostics and treatment for bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric situation defined as recurrent episodes of significant disturbance in mood…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.3% of users find it useful
Bipolar Disorder: Diagnostics and Treatment
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Bipolar Disorder: Diagnostics and Treatment"

BIPOLAR DISORDER Lynne Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric situation defined as recurrent episodes of significant disturbance in mood. This disorder is characterized by periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression (Upadhyaya, 2006; Wikiepedia 2007). These changes in the mood at times are very abrupt and unexpected. This shifting of mood from one extreme to another works on a scale, which may capture depressive episode to a level of very high debilitation to maniac episodes. Diagnosis (NIMH, 2007;Upadhyaya, 2006) Clinical Features Physical Examination Psychiatric Examination Lab Studies: Initial tests for substance and alcohol abuse are usually necessary to exclude drugs and alcohol as causative agents for behavior. No specific blood or other laboratory tests aid the mental health professional in diagnosing bipolar disorder. Of interest, serum cortisol levels may be elevated, but this is not of diagnostic or clinical value. Thyroid studies may help assure the clinician that an altered mood is not secondary to a thyroid disorder. The clinician may order tests of serum blood chemistries, such as basic metabolic panels and liver function tests, to help assess renal and hepatic health before starting or continuing certain medications to help regulate or ameliorate bipolar symptoms. Mania and depression both may involve states of malnutrition secondary to the psychiatrically diminished awareness of or ability to maintain one's health and well-being. Thus, a metabolic panel along with, in extreme cases, levels of thiamine, albumin, and prealbumin may help determine the extent of self-neglect and compromised nutritional state. After pharmacotherapy is implemented, periodic laboratory tests may be required to monitor drug levels and to ensure that no adverse response to the medication is harming renal or hepatic function. Imaging Studies: Neuroimaging modalities are currently not helpful in diagnosing bipolar disorder. Rather, the clinical presentation of symptom clusters, as defined in the DSM-IV TR, plus family and genetic histories guide the mental health clinician in diagnosing psychiatric conditions. Neuroimaging studies of child and adolescent patients with bipolar disorder are few. MRI studies of children and adolescents with bipolar I disorder have shown enlarged ventricles and an increased number of hyperintensities compared with healthy control subjects. The pathologic and clinical significance of these findings is unknown. In MRI studies, in a study by Darsi (1999) found that the area of the thalamus was substantially decreased in youths with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia compared with healthy control subjects. Studies in adults revealed similar findings. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia cannot be made on the basis of this volume difference on MRI. Nonetheless, reduced thalamic volume is consistent with clinical symptoms of poor attention, difficulty in filtering simultaneous stimuli, and dysregulation of mood, all of which symptoms found in patients with both of these major mental illnesses. Whether a structural or functional deficit in the thalamus may be causal or contributory to the pathophysiology of these mental disorders remains unknown. Other Tests: A baseline ECG may be needed before a psychotropic medication is started because some are known to alter QT intervals or other features of the cardiac rhythm. Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings from overly high and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression. (Upadhyaya, 2006; Wikiepedia, 2007; NIMH, 2007). Symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include (NIMH, 2007; Upadhyaya, 2006;, Wikiepedia, 2007): 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 A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with 3 or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, 4 additional symptoms must be present. Symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) Include (NIMH, 2007; Upadhyaya, 2006;, Wikiepedia, 2007): 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 Prevalence of Bipolar Disorder The overall prevalence of bipolar I disorder in adolescents is approximately 1%, whereas the prevalence in children is 0.2-0.4% (Upadhyaya, 2006). This disease process has been correlated with some characteristics of patients including age. In majority of the cases, the age of onset of bipolar disorder is around the age of 20-30 years in early adulthood stage. This age bracket is followed by even a younger group, 15 -19 years, as far as the frequency of bipolar disorder is concerned (Upadhyaya, 2006). Nursing interventions (Mueller, 2007). 1. Observe the client every 15 minutes while suicidal; remove all dangerous, sharp objects from room. 2. Reinforce that she is worthwhile, a) Assist the client in evaluating the positive as well as the negative aspects of her life b) Encourage the appropriate expression of angry feelings. c) Schedule regular periods of time throughout the day for recreational/occupational therapy, encourage client to groom self, offer praise for completing grooming. d) Ensure client's participation in taking mood-stabilizing medications. Watch client swallow medication. 3. Engage client in interpersonal therapies, cognitive-behavioral therapy, 4. Encourage client to attend group therapy, and journal episodes. Medications for Bipolar Disorder (NIMH, 2007; Upadhyaya, 2006;, Wikiepedia, 2007): Psychopharmacology Lithium carbonate Carbamazepine Clonazepam Valproic acid Lamotrigine Gabapentin Oxcarbazepine Topiramate Verapamil Antipsychotics Chlorpromazine Olanzapine Risperidone Aripiprazole Ziprasidone Quetiapine Bipolar disorder can put an enormous strain on relationships with family and friends of thise whoi are affected by this disorder.. When a patient is depressed, he or she may isolate him/her self from the people who care about. When there is a manic or hypomanic episode, patient might frighten or alienate them. But relationships with friends and family are crucial to staying healthy. To keep these lines of communication open. Here are some suggestions. Educate your family and peers. Friends and family may not know much about bipolar disorder, or they may have a lot of wrong impressions. They should be explained what it is and how it affects. Create a support team. Obviously, there is no need to keep everybody infromed abou the situation but there should be more than one person who should know. It's much better to have a number of people who can be approached in a crisis. Placing all the responsibility on one person is simply too much. Make a plan. Patient is needed to accept that during a mood swing, his or her judgment might be impaired. He or she could really benefit from people looking out for the patient. At the same time loved ones also need to be careful not to push too hard. Listen. After all that a patient is through, he or she may not want to hear the concerns of family and friends. But the fact is that condition does affect the people around a patient. During a manic or depressive phase, a patient may have upset people whom he or she care about. So it should be tried to hear them out and see things from their point of view (Mueller, 2007). Talk to children. If a patient has kids, he or she should find a way to tell them what's happening. They're likely to sense that something is wrong anyway; keeping them in the dark might just make it scarier. Explanation of condition by the patient or some close family member in a way that's appropriate for their age. Say that it's a disease that affects mood, but that getting treatment for it (Mueller, 2007). REFERENCES Mueller, R. (2007). Nursing Interventions In The Diagnosis Of Bipolar Disorder. Searchwarp. Retrieved September 7, 2007 from http://searchwarp.com/swa138146.htm NIMH (2007). Bipolar Disorder. National Institue of Mental Health. Retrieved September 7, 2007 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-publication.shtml Upadhyaya, H.P. & Fields, M.C. (2006). Mood Disorder: Bipolar Disorder. eMedicine. Retrieved September 7, 2007 from http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic240.htm Wikiepedia, the free encyclopedia. (2007). Bipolar Disorder. Wikiepedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved September 8, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Biopolar Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words”, n.d.)
Biopolar Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1506118-biopolar-disorder
(Biopolar Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 Words)
Biopolar Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1506118-biopolar-disorder.
“Biopolar Disorder Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1506118-biopolar-disorder.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Bipolar Disorder: Diagnostics and Treatment

Depression: Unipolar and bipolar disorders

Unipolar and bipolar disorders According to the criteria set forth by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, unipolar depression and bipolar disorder are similar to one another in every aspect.... Unipolar and bipolar disorders According to the criteria set forth by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, unipolar depression and bipolar disorder are similar to one another in every aspect.... Depression: Unipolar and bipolar disorders November 18, Depression: Unipolar and bipolar disorders According to the criteria set forth by The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, unipolar depression and bipolar disorder are similar to one another in every aspect....
3 Pages (750 words) Assignment

Bipolar Disorder

The study provides a brief description as well as the categories of bipolar disorder.... The review of research literature suggests recommendations that would aid in drawing the clear boundaries of bipolar disorder and, thus, would reduce the number of misdiagnosis of the disorder.... The essay aims to address a two-fold objective to wit: (1) to identify the subtle forms of bipolar disorder; and (2) to provide factual information and empirical description of bipolar disorder and its subtle forms....
6 Pages (1500 words) Term Paper

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

bipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition usually characterized by mood disorders by the affected individual.... Many doctors and psychiatrists agree that bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by lows and highs of moods (mania and depression), but they do not agree on the primary cause of the condition.... According to research, one of the basic pointers of bipolar disorder is as a genetic condition, where the patient almost always has a history of bipolar in the family....
3 Pages (750 words) Article

Bipolar Disorder - Diagnosis and Treatment

The paper "Bipolar Disorder - Diagnosis and treatment" considers it justified aggressive treatment with long-term goals to prevent the recurrence of the symptoms.... bipolar disorder is a psychiatric illness that is most prevalent in the adolescent period but also affects adults.... IntroductionMajor morbidity and mortality characterize the bipolar disorder, a serious psychiatric disorder.... 437) bipolar disorder affects about one to two percent of adults and can increase up to four percent....
9 Pages (2250 words) Research Paper

Bipolar Disorder - Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The term 'bipolar disorder ' is used to describe patterns of manic or hypomanic behavior (with elevated, expansive or irritable moods) that may or may not alternate with episodes of clinical depression.... Occasionally, people show a mixture of both high and low features at the same time, or switch during the day, giving a mixed picture bipolar disorder is thought to be primarily caused by biological factors.... In the past, people with severe bipolar disorder may have been admitted to an asylum where they could have remained manic for many months or depressed for many years and then spontaneously remitted, indicating that there is a pattern to even the most severe expressions of the condition....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Bipolar Disorder Type One - Description of the Disorder, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The author of the paper "Bipolar Disorder Type One - Description of the Disorder, Diagnosis, and treatment" will begin with the statement that the health system has been faced a range of medical complications calling for relevant nursing and health care facilities and services.... The condition affects the patient's normal life calling for well-defined diagnostic criteria to initiate the best treatment procedure.... Self-awareness is the patient and the family is vital for successful treatment and health care....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper

Reviewing Some Depressive Disorders

The paper "Cyclothymic, Manic-Depressive and Bipolar Disorders - Similarities and Differences in Symptoms, Diagnosis, and treatment Methods" compares the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy, psychotherapeutic practices in the treatment of depressive disorders of various etiologies.... nipolar DepressionDepression is a psychological disorder comes in many forms.... auses for Unipolar disorder may be linked to organic neurological causes such as disruption in neural circuits and neurochemicals in the brain....
7 Pages (1750 words) Literature review

Bipolar Disorder and Bipolar Depression

The coursework "bipolar disorder and Bipolar Depression" describes The difference between bipolar disorder and bipolar depression.... bipolar disorder, if not treated can also lead to death (Keck and McElroy, 2009) which is why treatment of such a disorder is essential at the right time.... Individuals that have bipolar disorder experience extreme changes in their mood, energy, and behavior, constantly switching between two polar emotions....
6 Pages (1500 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us