Bipolar Affective Disorder

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Term Paper Title	Bipolar Affective Disorder
# of Words	2041
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	8.16

Bipolar Affective Disorder

Bipolar Affective Disorder

     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 definate explanations for the causes and cure.  The one fact
of which we are pianfully aware4 is that bipolar disorder severely undermines
its' victoms ability to obtain and maintain social and occupational success.
Because bipolar disorder has such debilitating symptoms, it is imperitive that
we remain vigilent 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 guilt and worthlessness, guilt,
difficulty thinking, indecision, and recurrent thoughts of death and suicide.
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 (approximatly 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.  Mood is
either elated, expansive, or irritable, hyperactivity, pressure of speech,
flight of ideas, inflated self esteem, decreased need for sleep, distractibility,
and excessive involvement in activities with high potential for painful
conseque...

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