Some preliminary studies have shown a genetic disposition to contracting this disease. Other contributing factors to this mental health disease are changes in the brain and environmental factors such as severe episodes of stress and major life changes.
Treatments
Bipolar affective disorder is an illness that requires a life-time management and treatment of those affected. Two available medications used to treat this mental illness are Lithium and Depakote. Lithium is a medication prescribed to stabilize moods and Depakote is an anticonvulsant used to control seizures and used to treat migraine headaches. In addition, regular psychotherapy treatment is used to prevent further episodes.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Those at Risk
It is estimated that over 2 million Americans suffer from bipolar affective disorder. This mental illness usually has its onset in adulthood before the age of 35. However, children can also develop this disease and generally at a more severe level.
In regards to gender, both men and women are susceptible to bipolar affective disorder. However, with women mood transition occurs at a more rapid rate than occurs for men. It is also documented that women may suffer more frequent episodes of depression than their male counterparts. Additionally, there is a direct correlation to drug dependency with those individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder.
In regards to gender, both men and women are susceptible to bipolar affective disorder. However, with women mood transition occurs at a more rapid rate than occurs for men. It is also documented that women may suffer more frequent episodes of depression than their male counterparts. Additionally, there is a direct correlation to drug dependency with those individuals who have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder.
Symptoms
The symptoms of bipolar affective disorder include a swift change in emotions ranging from extreme euphoria to extreme depression. There can be a successive number of high episodes before experiencing the dramatic opposite. Additionally, time is not a factor as the extreme emotional ranges can happen over a days, weeks, months, etc.
The severity of bipolar affective disorder differs from individual to individual. A partial list of other symptoms includes restlessness, a rapid speech pattern, inability to concentrate, high level of energy, sleeplessness, aggressive sex drive, substance abuse, poor judgment, loss of energy, a sense of worthlessness, out of touch with reality, sadness, uncontrollable crying, increased need for sleep and suicidal thoughts.
The severity of bipolar affective disorder differs from individual to individual. A partial list of other symptoms includes restlessness, a rapid speech pattern, inability to concentrate, high level of energy, sleeplessness, aggressive sex drive, substance abuse, poor judgment, loss of energy, a sense of worthlessness, out of touch with reality, sadness, uncontrollable crying, increased need for sleep and suicidal thoughts.
A Brief Overview of Bipolar Affective Disorder
Bipolar affective disorder is a mental illness that wreaks havoc with the emotional well being of an individual. This disruption is characterized by feelings ranging from the extreme sense of well-being to the other end of the emotional spectrum and experiencing complete sadness and anxiety. Because of the two extremes associated with this condition it is referred to as bipolar, or two poles of moods.
There are times where those affected with bipolar affective disorder experience normal emotional behavior but typically experience the two extremes. Generally, the frequency of being extremely depressed is the phase most experienced.
There are times where those affected with bipolar affective disorder experience normal emotional behavior but typically experience the two extremes. Generally, the frequency of being extremely depressed is the phase most experienced.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
