Bipolar Disorder

Paper Summary:

The paper describes bipolar I disorder and the less severe form of the illness, bipolar II disorder. The paper examines this disorder's biological basis and reveals the clear link between neurotransmitters in the brain existing in a state of imbalance and the development of the disorder. The paper adds, however, that exactly how this imbalance functions remains mysterious in this illness. The paper looks at various medications and their side effects and points out that because bipolar disorder has two distinct mood components of mania and depression, treating it with medication can be especially difficult.

From the Paper:

"Bipolar disorder is one of the most complex and difficult to treat of the major mood disorders. There are several different forms of the illness. Some bipolar I disorder patients exhibit alternating episodes of mania and depression, while other sufferers show less florid periods of mania, a state called hypomania that alternates with depression. These sufferers are said to exhibit a less severe form of the illness, called bipolar II disorder ("Bipolar disorder," 2007, NIH)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Belmaker, R.H. (2004) "Medical Biology: On Bipolar Disorder." New Engl. J. Med. 351:476. Retrieved 1 Aug 2007 at http://scienceweek.com/2004/sb041029-5.htm
• "Bipolar Disorder." (2001). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved 1 Aug 2007 at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm
• "Bipolar Disorder." (2007). The Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 1 Aug 2007 athttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356
• Read, Kimberly. "What causes bipolar disorder?' Health on the Net: About.com. Retrieved 1 Aug 2007 athttp://bipolar.about.com/cs/bpbasics/a/what_causes_bp.htm

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