BIPOLAR DISORDER

WHAT IS IT?

• Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder marked by alternating periods of elation and depression.
• The primary symptoms are dramatic and unpredictable mood swings.
• There are two phases of the disorder. The phases are manic phase and depressed phase
• Bipolar disorder is hard to diagnose and there are not any lab test.
• Your doctor or therapist will ask detail questions to determine the symptoms you have

HOW COMMON IS IT?

• Bipolar disorder is a very common medical condition.
• It occurs in about three to five percent of the population.
• It is also more common in people that have relatives with the illness.

HOW DOES A PERSON GET IT?

• Runs in families
• Environment and lifestyle issues
• Hereditary
• Cause isn't completely understood

WHAT IS GOING WRONG?

• Causes: genetics, abnormal brain structure/function
• 3 neurotransmitters:
• Noradrenaline, serotonin(depression), dopamine(pleasure of brain)
• The brain connection serotonin is connected to many body functions.
• These brain connections contribute to mood disorders.

CAN WE TREAT IT

• There is no actual cure
• An effective maintenance treatment plan includes medication and psychotherapy
• People take mood stabilizing medicine, atypical antipsychotic medicine, and antidepressant medicine
• Types of psychotherapy are: psychoeducation, family focused therapy, electronconvulsive therapy

HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE LIFE OF THE PATIENT AND THEIR FAMILY

• Mania and depression negatively affect the family and the patient because they have to deal with it
• Between these episodes, many people with this disorder are usually free of symptoms
• Obviously a person with this disorder is a burden on everyone around them because of outbursts

WORK CITED PAGE

• Google.com
• WebMD.com
• ABC News-Go.com
• Help guide.org
• Nimh.gov