FREE ESSAY ON BIPOLAR DISORDER

BIPOLAR DISORDER

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Index: Science And Technology 
Bipolar Disorder
Essay submitted by Unknown
The phenomenon of bipolar affective disorder has been a mystery since the 16th century.
History has shown that this affliction can appear in almost anyone. Even the great
painter Vincent Van Gogh is believed to have had bipolar disorder. It is clear that in
our society many people live with bipolar disorder; however, despite the abundance of
people suffering from the it, we are still waiting for definite explanations for the
causes and cure. The one fact of which we are painfully aware is that bipolar disorder
severely undermines its' victims ability to obtain and maintain social and occupational
success. Because bipolar disorder has such debilitating symptoms, it is imperative that
we remain vigilant in the quest for explanations of its causes and treatment. 
Affective disorders are characterized by a smorgasbord of symptoms that can be broken
into manic and depressive episodes. The depressive episodes are characterized by intense
feelings of sadness and despair that can become feelings of hopelessness and
helplessness. Some of the symptoms of a depressive episode include anhedonia,
disturbances in sleep and appetite, psycomoter retardation, loss of energy, feelings of
worthlessness, guilt, difficulty thinking, indecision, and recurrent thoughts of death
and suicide (Hollandsworth, Jr. 1990 ). The manic episodes are characterized by elevated
or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, poor judgment and insight,
and often reckless or irresponsible behavior (Hollandsworth, Jr. 1990 ). Bipolar
affective disorder affects approximately one percent of the population (approximately
three million people) in the United States. It is presented by both males and females.
Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania and depression. These episodes may alternate
with profound depressions characterized by a pervasive sadness, almost inability to move,
hopelessness, and disturbances in appetite, sleep, in concentrations and driving.
Bipolar disorder is diagnosed if an episode of mania occurs whether depression has been
diagnosed or not (Goodwin, Guze, 1989, p 11). Most commonly, individuals with manic
episodes experience a period of depression. Symptoms include elated, expansive, or
irritable mood, hyperactivity, pressure of speech, flight of ideas, inflated self esteem,
decreased need for sleep, distractibility, and excessive involvement in reckless
activities (Hollandsworth, Jr. 1990 ). Rarest symptoms were periods of loss of all
interest and retardation or agitation (Weisman, 1991).
As the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (MDMDA) has demonstrated,
bipolar disorder can create substantial developmental delays, marital and family
disruptions, occupational setbacks, and financial disasters. This devastating disease
causes disruptions of families, loss of jobs and millions of dollars in cost to society.
Many times bipolar patients report that the depressions are longer and increase in
frequency as the individual ages. Many times bipolar states and psychotic states are
misdiagnosed as schizophrenia. Speech patterns help distinguish between the two disorders
(Lish, 1994).
The onset of Bipolar disorder usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 30 years of age,
with a second peak in the mid-forties for women. A typical bipolar patient may experience
eight to ten episodes in their lifetime. However, those who have rapid cycling may
experience more episodes of mania and depression that succeed each other without a period
of remission (DSM III-R). 
The three stages of mania begin with hypomania, in which patients report that they are
energetic, extroverted and assertive (Hirschfeld, 1995). The hypomania state has led
observers to feel that bipolar patients are addicted to their mania. Hypomania progresses
into mania and the transition is marked by loss of judgment (Hirschfeld, 1995). Often,
euphoric grandiose characteristics are displayed, and paranoid or irritable
characteristics begin to manifest. The third stage of mania is evident when the patient
experiences delusions with often paranoid themes. Speech is generally rapid and
hyperactive behavior manifests sometimes associated with violence (Hirschfeld, 1995). 
When both manic and depressive symptoms occur at the same time it is called a mixed
episode. Those afflicted are a special risk because there is a combination of
hopelessness, agitation, and anxiety that makes them feel like they could jump out of
their skin(Hirschfeld, 1995). Up to 50% of all patients with mania have a mixture of
depressed moods. Patients report feeling dysphoric, depressed, and unhappy; yet, they
exhibit the energy associated with mania. Rapid cycling mania is another presentation of
bipolar disorder. Mania may be present with four or more distinct episodes within a 12
month period. There is now evidence to suggest that sometimes rapid cycling may be a
transient manifestation of the bipolar disorder. This form of the disease exhibits more
episodes of mania and depression than bipolar.
Lithium has been the primary treatment of bipolar disorder since its introduction in the
1960's. It is main function is to stabilize the cycling characteristic of bipolar
disorder. In four controlled studies by F. K. Goodwin and K. R. Jamison, the overall
response rate for bipolar subjects treated with Lithium was 78% (1990). Lithium is also
the primary drug used for long- term maintenance of bipolar disorder. In a majority of
bipolar patients, it lessens the duration, frequency, and severity of the episodes of
both mania and depression.
Unfortunately, as many as 40% of bipolar patients are either unresponsive to lithium or
can not tolerate the side effects. Some of the side effects include thirst, weight gain,
nausea, diarrhea, and edema. Patients who are unresponsive to lithium treatment are often
those who experience dysphoric mania, mixed states, or rapid cycling bipolar disorder. 
One of the problems associated with lithium is the fact the long-term lithium treatment
has been associated with decreased thyroid functioning in patients with bipolar disorder.
Preliminary evidence also suggest that hypothyroidism may actually lead to rapid-cycling
(Bauer et al., 1990). Another problem associated with the use of lithium is experienced
by pregnant women. Its use during pregnancy has been associated with birth defects,
particularly Ebstein's anomaly. Based on current data, the risk of a child with Ebstein's
anomaly being born to a mother who took lithium during her first trimester of pregnancy
is approximately 1 in 8,000, or 2.5 times that of the general population (Jacobson et
al., 1992).
There are other effective treatments for bipolar disorder that are used in cases where
the patients cannot tolerate lithium or have been unresponsive to it in the past. The
American Psychiatric Association's guidelines suggest the next line of treatment to be
Anticonvulsant drugs such as valproate and carbamazepine. These drugs are useful as
antimanic agents, especially in those patients with mixed states. Both of these
medications can be used in combination with lithium or in combination with each other.
Valproate is especially helpful for patients who are lithium noncompliant, experience
rapid-cycling, or have comorbid alcohol or drug abuse.
Neuroleptics such as haloperidol or chlorpromazine have also been used to help stabilize
manic patients who are highly agitated or psychotic. Use of these drugs is often
necessary because the response to them are rapid, but there are risks involved in their
use. Because of the often severe side effects, Benzodiazepines are often used in their
place. Benzodiazepines can achieve the same results as Neuroleptics for most patients in
terms of rapid control of agitation and excitement, without the severe side effects.
Antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's) fluovamine
and amitriptyline have also been used by some doctors as treatment for bipolar disorder.
A double-blind study by M. Gasperini, F. Gatti, L. Bellini, R.Anniverno, and E. Smeraldi
showed that fluvoxamine and amitriptyline are highly effective treatments for bipolar
patients experiencing depressive episodes (1992). This study is controversial however,
because conflicting research shows that SSRI's and other antidepressants can actually
precipitate manic episodes. Most doctors can see the usefulness of antidepressants when
used in conjunction with mood stabilizing medications such as lithium.
In addition to the mentioned medical treatments of bipolar disorder, there are several
other options available to bipolar patients, most of which are used in conjunction with
medicine. One such treatment is light therapy. One study compared the response to light
therapy of bipolar patients with that of unipolar patients. Patients were free of
psychotropic and hypnotic medications for at least one month before treatment. Bipolar
patients in this study showed an average of 90.3% improvement in their depressive
symptoms, with no incidence of mania or hypomania. They all continued to use light
therapy, and all showed a sustained positive response at a three month follow-up (Hopkins
and Gelenberg, 1994). Another study involved a four week treatment of bright morning
light treatment for patients with seasonal affective disorder and bipolar patients. This
study found a statistically significant decrement in depressive symptoms, with the
maximum antidepressant effect of light not being reached until week four (Baur, Kurtz,
Rubin, and Markus, 1994). Hypomanic symptoms were experienced by 36% of bipolar patients
in this study. Predominant hypomanic symptoms included racing thoughts, deceased sleep
and irritability. Surprisingly, one-third of controls also developed symptoms such as
those mentioned above. Regardless of the explanation of the emergence of hypomanic
symptoms in undiagnosed controls, it is evident from this study that light treatment may
be associated with the observed symptoms. Based on the results, careful professional
monitoring during light treatment is necessary, even for those without a history of major
mood disorders.
Another popular treatment for bipolar disorder is electro-convulsive shock therapy. ECT
is the preferred treatment for severely manic pregnant patients and patients who are
homicidal, psychotic, catatonic, medically compromised, or severely suicidal. In one
study, researchers found marked improvement in 78% of patients treated with ECT, compared
to 62% of patients treated only with lithium and 37% of patients who received neither,
ECT or lithium (Black et al., 1987). 
A final type of therapy that I found is outpatient group psychotherapy. According to Dr.
John Graves, spokesperson for The National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association
has called attention to the value of support groups, and challenged mental health
professionals to take a more serious look at group therapy for the bipolar population. 
Research shows that group participation may help increase lithium compliance, decrease
denial regarding the illness, and increase awareness of both external and internal stress
factors leading to manic and depressive episodes. Group therapy for patients with bipolar
disorders responds to the need for support and reinforcement of medication management,
and the need for education and support for the interpersonal difficulties that arise
during the course of the disorder. 
References
Bauer, M.S., Kurtz, J.W., Rubin, L.B., and Marcus, J.G. (1994). Mood and Behavioral
effects of four-week light treatment in winter depressives and controls. Journal of
Psychiatric Research. 28, 2: 135-145.
Bauer, M.S., Whybrow, P.C. and Winokur, A. (1990). Rapid Cycling Bipolar Affective
Disorder: I. Association with grade I hypothyroidism. Archives of General Psychiatry. 47:
427-432.
Black, D.W., Winokur, G., and Nasrallah, A. (1987). Treatment of Mania: A naturalistic
study of electroconvulsive therapy versus lithium in 438 patients. Journal of Clinical
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Gasperini, M., Gatti, F., Bellini, L., Anniverno, R., Smeralsi, E., (1992). Perspectives
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