Bipola Disorder

Millions of Americans live with a disorder that can leave them unable to effectively cope with day-to-day activities. This disorder is bipolar disorder, originally known as manic-depressive disorder. It currently affects between three to five percent of the American population, and is the sixth most common disability in the United States (Leahy, 418). Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by two extreme moods: mania and depression. It is currently incurable, however, under correct diagnosis and treatment, those affected by bipolar disorder can live happy and successful lives.

Bipolar disorder is a psychological disorder in which there is the shift or cycling between the two extreme moods: mania and depression. Symptoms of the manic phase, the high mood, are: “rapid speech, inflated self-esteem, impulsiveness, euphoria, and decreased need for sleep.” Other behaviors that manifest in the manic stage are hyperactivity, sexual indiscretion, increased appetite, elation, extreme sociability, and distractibility. Although the symptoms of the manic phase can interfere with a persons ability to function, the depressed phase can be much more dangerous.

While in the depressed phase the person experiences symptoms much like major depression. Symptoms include feelings of gloominess, social withdrawal, irritability, indecisiveness, delusions of guilt, difficulty sleeping, and decreased sex drive. A depressed person has an “extremely distorted view of their problems” and “low feelings of self worth.” They do not experience pleasure and their brains fail to respond normally to pleasurable stimuli. These negative symptoms can be very dangerous when they lead to thoughts of death and suicide.

Despite all the information that is known about bipolar disorder, there is still much that is unknown. Since there is not a specific test or diagnostic method besides recognition of the symptoms, this disorder often goes unrecognized, especially in children and adolescents. There is evidence to suggest that it has a biological basis and has genetic causes. There currently is no known cure, but the disorder is treatable. Researchers have been making progress on identifying gene combinations that make a person vulnerable, which could help make diagnosis easier, and possibly lead to a cure.

A person with bipolar disorder is often prescribed two drugs: antidepressant drugs and anti-mania drugs. Antidepressant drugs are used to treat depression. One type is a selective serotonin (a type of neurotransmitter) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Neurotransmitters are the chemical substances that carries messages between the neurons. If the neurotransmitter does not bind to the synapse of the next neuron, the message is not transmitted thereby causing depression. An SSRI blocks the reuptake, the process of reabsorbing the released neurotransmitter, allowing it to stay in the synapse longer. This increases the likelihood of the serotonin binding to the synapse of the neuron thereby enabling the message to be transmitted.

Anti-mania drugs are mood-stabilizers used to relieve the manic symptoms of bipolar disorder.