Bipolar Disorder

Term Paper # 100712

Psychology > Disorders

Bipolar Disorder

An overview of the causes, diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder.

2,725 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is one of the most common and persistent mental disorders. The paper explains that bipolar disorder is characterized by periods of deep, prolonged, and profound depression that alternate with periods of an excessively elevated and/or irritable mood known as mania. Additionally, the paper explains that the three main factors of BPI are genetics, chemical imbalances and a patient's environment and discusses how the disorder is usually diagnosed. The paper also looks at treatment options such as medications and psychotherapy.

From the Paper:

"Other theories of why a person may become bipolar have been reported. Some of the strongest risk factors of contracting the illness reside in winter births, the changing seasons, pregnancy and birth complications, and head injuries. (Fuller pg. 84) Researchers have found that those who had head injuries as a child may become bipolar as late as five years after the accident. It has also been suggested that when the seasons change so do ones moods. Winter months tend to be drab and dark and result in more people feeling depressed. A prolonged winter can lead to severe depression in some and even turning for the worse and ending in a psychiatric illness."

Sample of Sources Used:

"Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Treatment." Bipolar Disorder and Addiction Treatment. 2000. CRC Health Group, Inc. 222 Apr. 2007< http://www.life-healing.com/bipolar/bipolar-disorder.asp>
"Bipolar disorder and manic depression information: Causes - MayoClinic.com." Bipolar disorder and manic depression information: Causes - MayoClinic.com. 2000. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 20 Apr. 2007 <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=3>
"Bipolar Disorder." EMedicineHealth. 2003. WebMD. 28 Apr. 2007 <http://www.emedicinehealth.com/bipolar_disorder/article_em.htm>
Nathan, Peter, and Jack Gorman. Treatments that work. new york: oxford university press inc., 1998.
Torrey, E., and M. Knable. Surviving Manic Depression. New York: Basic Books, 2002.