Essay About Manic-Depressive Illness And Phenomenon Of Bipolar Affective Disorder

Bipolar
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The phenomenon of Bipolar Affective Disorder has been a mystery since the 16th
and 17th century. The Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was thought to of suffered from
bipolar disorder. It appears that there are an abundance of people with the disorder yet,
no true causes or cures for the disorder. Clearly the Bipolar disorder severely undermines
their ability to obtain and sustain social and occupational success. However, the journey
for the causes and cures for the Bipolar disorder must continue.
Affective disorders are primarily characterized by depressed mood, elevated
mood or (mania), or alternations of depressed and elevated moods. The classical term is
manic-depressive illness, a newer term is Bipolar disorder. The two are interchangeable.
Milder forms of a depressive syndrome are called dysthymic disorder, mild forms of
mania are hypomania and the milder expressions of Bipolar disorder are called
cyclothymic disorders. The use of the term primary affective disorder refers to the
individuals who had no previous psychiatric disorders or else only episodes of mania or
depression. Secondary affective disorder refers to patients with preexisting psychiatric
illness other than depression or mania (Goodwin, Guze. 1989, p.7 ).
Bipolar affective disorder affects approximately one percent or three million
persons in the United States, afflicting both males and females. Bipolar disorder involves
episodes of mania and depression. 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 ). 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 consequences. Rarest symptoms were periods of loss of all interest
and retardation or agitation (Weisman, 1991).
As the National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association (MDMDA) has
demonstrated, bipolar disorder can create substantial developmental delays, marital and
family disruptions, occupational setbacks, and financial disasters. This devastating
disease causes disruptions of families, loss of jobs and millions of dollars in cost to
society. Many times bipolar patients report that the depressions are longer and increase
in frequency as the individual ages. Many times bipolar in a psychotic state are
misdiagnosed as schizophrenic. Speech patterns help distinguish between the two
disorders (Lish, 1994).
The onset of Bipolar disorder usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 30 years
of age, with a second peak in the mid-forties for women. A typical bipolar patient may
experience eight to ten episodes in their lifetime. However, those who have rapid cycling
may experience more episodes of mania and depression that succeed each other without a