Generic Research Paper on Bipolar Disorder (Essay Sample)

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Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder, otherwise known as manic depression, refers to a disorder of the brain which causes uncommon mood, activity or energy changes affecting ability to conduct daily duties. Symptoms associate with bipolar are difficult to manage. They are not similar to usual what an ordinary person experiences during a bad day. Symptoms of bipolar have been found to cause strained relationships, poor performance at work or school or, sadly, suicide. Although bipolar appears difficult to manage, there are treatment options available to help patients lead productive and full lives (Rcpsych.ac.uk, N.p.).
Causes of this disorder are not yet clear, although research is ongoing to work out probable roots of this illness. A number of scientists believe there exists one major cause, although the current train of thought is several factors work in unison generating this disorder or magnify associated risks. Bipolar disorder has been found to run among family members. Research indicates that individuals with particular genes have a likelihood of developing this disorder compared to others (Rcpsych.ac.uk, N.p.). Children within families with parents or siblings diagnosed with bipolar are likely to suffer from this illness in comparison to children from families without reported cases of bipolar. Fortunately, children from families with reported cases of bipolar may not develop this illness. Changes in technology have improved research into genetics and bipolar. An example is BDPD (Bipolar Disorder Phenome Database) an initiative of NIMH. With the aid of BDPD, researchers are at a position to connect signs of bipolar with genes causing such symptoms (Rcpsych.ac.uk, N.p.). Researchers are currently studying disorders exhibiting symptoms that are similar, for instance schizophrenia and depression, to find out genetic variations with potential to increase predisposition to bipolar. Establishing relevant hotspot will help explain the relationship between personal risks and environmental factors.
Those with bipolar disorder tend to experience uncommonly strong emotional mental states which arise in relatively distinctive phases referred to as mood episodes. Each state represents a shift in mood as well as behavior (WebMD, N.p.). Bipolar patients experience states in which an individual is highly excited, in which case this would be termed as a manic episode, or a state in which on is feeling hopeless, in which case this represents depressive episodes (Rcpsych.ac.uk, N.p.).
There are cases in which both manic and depressive episodes appear at the same time, representing combined state. Those with this illness can be irritable and explosive while under an episode (WebMD, N.p.). Severe variations in activity, behavior, energy and sleep go hand in hand with mood changes. This illness may show even with less server cases of mood changes. For instance, while under a manic attack, one is like to feel good, highly active and operative well. It is unlikely that an individual will experience anything odd, yet friends as well as family will be in a position to point out sings of mood changes (WebMD, N.p.). In most other cases, it is likely to find an individual under extreme case of mania showing symptoms of psychosis, for example delusions or hallucinations.
This illness is common in individuals who are in young adulthood as well as early years of adulthood. Most case arise prior to the age of 25. Most other show symptoms while still in their childhood while others show symptoms in old age.
Doctors who handle case of bipolar conduct diagnosis with the aid of DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). For an individual to be declared suffering from bipolar, indications must involve a shift from ordinary behavior or mood (WebMD, N.p.).
Bipolar comes in four different types: bipolar 1 is characterized by mixed states lasting a minimum of 7 days or manic indications so extreme warranting an individual's hospitalization. Mostly, it is common to find depressive episodes arising as well during this time that last more than 2 weeks. Bipolar 2 is characterized by several depressive attacks as well as severe cases of manic episodes without incidences of extreme combined or manic events (WebMD, N.p.). Others include BP-NPS in which case symptoms show but are not extreme enough to satisfy diagnostic standards and Cyclothymia, which is a form of bipolar conside