Bipolar disorder, which is otherwise referred to as manic depression, manifests itself in several ways. However, before one can be diagnosed for bipolar, there are signs and symptoms that have to be considered. One notable symptom associated with bipolar disorder is severe mood swings. Persons with this disorder often experience mood swings where one is likely to show extreme excitement, which changes to depression in another moment. In other words, patients may experience emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression) suggesting the inability to control one’s emotions. National Institute of Mental Health (2002) indicates that clinical psychologists often consider a patient’s moods to determine the likelihood that he/she may suffer from bipolar, as bipolar patients cannot control their moods. Another key symptom to consider when determining the likelihood that a patient is suffering from bipolar disorder is restlessness, which impacts his/her ability to concentrate. Bipolar patients lack that sense of concentration because of their mood changes, which may be triggered by a wide array of stimuli in the environment.
Causes of the Disorder
The exact cause of the bipolar disorder remains unknown. However, clinical psychologists point to two main causation factors that are likely to contribute to exposure to the disorder. The first factor is the biological differences. Meyer & Meyer (2009) note that bipolar patients have a wide array of physical differences in their brain, which affects their ability to regulate moods. Although such changes may not be as significant as may be expected, they suggest the pinpoint causes of the disorder. The second factor causing bipolar disorder is genetics. It has not been proven that bipolar is indeed a hereditary disorder. However, the likelihood of having the condition increases in cases where a first-degree relative, such as sister, brother, or parent, is diagnosed with the condition. That leads to the conclusion that genetics may also play a key role in contributing to the occurrence of the disorder.
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Prevalence Rates
Data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) suggests that an estimated 2.8% of adults over the age of 18 years in the United States suffer from bipolar disorder (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019). The prevalence of the disease among males and females was somewhat similar with 2.9% and 2.8% suffering from the disorder respectively (National Institute of Mental Health, 2019). Another important aspect to note about the prevalence of bipolar in the United States is the fact that approximately 4.4% of adults in the country are likely to experience bipolar at one point in their lives. Regarding the issue of impairments resulting from the disorder, approximately 82.9% of bipolar patients indicate that they have had serious impairments resulting from this disorder. Many of these cases arise due to mood disorders where it becomes harder for patients to lead the expected quality of life. A further 17.1% indicate that they have experienced moderate impairment; thus, highlighting the overall implications associated with this disorder.
Treatments of the Disorder
The two main approaches to treating bipolar disorder involve pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Clinical psychologists consider a vast array of medications when treating bipolar disorder, which depends wholly on the severity of the condition. Some of the medications considered include mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications (Altamura et al., 2011). The prescriptions for these disorders focus solely on a patient’s symptoms, which determine the extent to which the disorder is affecting his/her life. In cases where patients experience lows regularly, clinical psychologists consider the use of antidepressants to help improve the patient’s ability to deal with depression. On the other hand, several psychotherapy approaches have been recommended when dealing with bipolar disorder. The main approaches considered include Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychoeducation, and family-focused therapy. What is most notable is the fact that the psychotherapy approaches do not focus on the patient but focus on their immediate family to enhance overall effectiveness.
References
Altamura, A. C., Buoli, M., Dell'Osso, B., Albano, A., Serati, M., Colombo, F. ... & Angst, J. (2011). The impact of brief depressive episodes on the outcome of bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder: A 1-year prospective study. Journal of Affective Disorders , 134 (1-3), 133-137.
Meyer, F., & Meyer, T. D. (2009). The misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder as a psychotic disorder: some of its causes and their influence on therapy. Journal of Affective Disorders , 112 (1-3), 174-183.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2002). A story of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) . Willmette, IL: Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Bipolar disorder . https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/bipolar-disorder.shtml
