Bipolar Disorder

By Chloe, Tyler, and Grant

Impact of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder results in 9.2 years reduction in expected life span.

One in five patients with bipolar disorder commit suicide.

Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability in the world.

1/3 of the 3.4 million of children and adolescents treated for depression may actually have Bipolar disorder.

http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_statistics_bipolar_disorder

Interesting Facts
http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.
com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/psychiatry-psychology/bipolar-disorder/

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/psychiatry-psychology/bipolar-disorder/

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts
http://now.dartmouth.edu/sites/now.dartmouth.edu/files/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/psychosisphoto.jpg

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201304/can-depression-be-good-you

DSM Criteria

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Manic Episode:
Abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood (any duration if hospitalization is required)
During a period of mood disturbance 3 or more of the following have persisted (4 if mood is irritable)
Decreased need for sleep
More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day
Flight of ideas (racing thoughts)
Distractibility
Increase in goal-oriented activities
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have risky consequences

http://www1.appstate.edu/~hillrw/BipolarNeuro/BiPolar/pages/type1.html

DSM Criteria

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)

Depressive Episode:
Same Symptoms as Major Depressive Disorder
Depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure in life activities for at least 2 weeks and at least five of the
following symptoms that cause clinically significant impairment in social, work, or other important areas of
functioning almost every day
Depressed mood most of the day
Diminished interest or pleasure in all or most activities
Unintentional Significant weight loss or weight gain
Insomnia or sleeping too much
Agitation or psychomotor retardation noticed by others
Fatigue or loss of energy
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
Diminished ability to think, concentrate, or indecisiveness
Recurrent thoughts of death

http://www1.appstate.edu/~hillrw/BipolarNeuro/BiPolar/pages/type1.html

Epidemiology

2.6% of U.S. adults are affected

82.9% of the cases are severe

Equally common amongst women and men

Median onset age of bipolar disorder is 25 years

http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/psychiatry-psychology/bipolar-disorder/

Etiology

Professionals believe there are three underlying issues when someone has
Bipolar Disorder
The Brain- May have different physical shapes than that of a normal brain
Neurotransmitters- An imbalance of these chemicals in the brain can
lead to manic symptoms
Genetics: Those with a parent or sibling with this condition are much
more likely to have it than the general population.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/causes/con-20027544

http://www.bioethics.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/genetic-ethics1.jpg

Etiology continued
http://encognitive.
com/files/images/bipolar-manicdepression-brain.jpg

Stress, lack of sleep, and substance abuse can worsen the condition
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-whos-at-risk

http://www.mybodytutor.com/blog/wpcontent/uploads/2015/06/Stress-Management01.png

http://dingo.care2.
com/pictures/causes/3008/3007862.large.jpg

http:
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home.
org/wpcontent
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03/sub
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mage.

Assessment

The main way of assessing this disorder is by speaking with a therapist about
behavior and mood swings.
Even though their state of health may indicate someone with bipolar disorder,
the only way to diagnose and proceed with medication is to be evaluated with
a professional
I think this is the optimal assessment method because it is used by
professionals to diagnose and treat those with depression

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-diagnosis

https://greetingsearthlings.files.
wordpress.com/2008/02/lucy-vanpelt.jpg

Treatment

There is no cure, but many different treatments available

Treatment will always be needed
Mood Swings can occur even with proper treatment
Treatments to choose from are: medications, psychotherapy,
electroconvulsive therapy, and herbal supplements

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-adults/index.shtml#pub8


http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-adults/index.shtml#pub8

Mood Stabilizers

usually the first choice

lithium helps with both manic and depressive episodes
anticonvulsant medications are also used as a mood stabilizer
Valproic acid helps with mainic

side effects include: Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn,

moodswings, stuffy or runny nose, or cold like symptoms
Valproic acid should be carefully monitored if taken by women under the age of 20

Atypical antipsychotics

https://www.sharecare.com/health/bipolar-disorder/article/medicine-cabinet-full-for-patients-with-bipolar

Medications

sometimes used and often used with antidepressants

Olanzapine (Zyprexa) can be used to maintain the severe manic episodes when paired with an
antidepressant
others include Aripiprazole (Abilify), Quetiapine (Seroquel), and risperidone (Risperdal)
side effects include Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, sensitivity to the sun, skin
rashes, and menstrual problems for women

Medications Cont.

Antidepressants

sometimes used to treat the depressive symptoms when combined with a mood stabilizer
some medications include Fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft)
side effects include: Headache, nausea, agitation (feeling jittery)

Everyone responds differently to medications. It may take a few times before

finding one that is effective.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/treatment/con-20027544

http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/Psychotherapy.html

Psychotherapy

Is most effective when combined with medications

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

focuses on identifying and replacing negative thoughts and behaviors with positive ones
learn coping mechanisms

Psychoeducation

provides information on the disorder and support

focuses on counseling not only the one with the bipolar disorder, but also family members
about best treatments, and how to detect a mood swing in order to control it

Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy

focuses on daily routines like sleep and meal times and relationships with others
routines help to prevent manic episodes

Other Treatments

Electroconvulsive Therapy

usually used when medication and psychotherapy do not work

patient is first given a muscle relaxant and a slight dose of amnesia and administered shocks
for 30-90 seconds for 5 minutes
is effective but usually not used as the first treatment

Herbal Supplements
not much research but and herb called the St. John's wort (Hypericum perfora
used as a natural antidepressant

can cause manic episodes and make other medications not as effective

Summary and Key Points

Introduction

people with this disorder have manic and depressive mood swings

DSM criteria for manic episodes include Abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and
having three or more of the listed symptoms

DSM criteria for depression include having a loss of interest activities for at least two weeks
and five of the listed symptoms

Epidemiology

2.6% of adults in the U.S. are affected

most cases are severe
both women and men are equally susceptible

Summary and Key Points Cont.

Etiology

Assessment

the three main issues believed to be involved with bipolar disorder is the brain, genetics, and
neurotransmitters
talking to a therapist and then being assessed to a professional

Treatment

medication and psychotherapy are most common

mood stabilizers are most used and attack both manic and depressive swings

Websites
http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=education_bipolar

This site is informative and does an excellent job pointing out the key differences between bipolar disorder and manic depression. Also, it details the
significance of the symptoms of bipolar disorder. I also found it interesting that bipolar disorder affects people of all race, age, and social classes.
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-adults/index.shtml#pub8
This website was helpful because it described all the treatments available and the side effects that may occur. It was very descriptive in what each
type of treatment was and what types of medications each treatment had. Specific warnings were also given to specific medications, which I found
very helpful.
http://www.bipolarsupport.org/
A non-profit dedicated to giving information to those who are affected by the disorder. They educate people on what the illness is and how others
have lived with it. There are also articles and papers written either by professional psychologists or people with the disorder. I think this is interesting
how people affected by this illness can ban together and overcome this obstacle.