Bipolar Disorder Essay Example

Bipolar Disorder Essay Example Bipolar Disorder Paper Bipolar Disorder Paper 2006, p. 18). In addition, the disorder occurs in both men and women (National Institute of Mental Health, 2008). At the first episode of bipolar disorder, men experience manic episodes while women experiences depression. The greater risk of the disorder rests among people under the age of thirty than among the older people. Typically, the disorder emerges in the late adolescence or early childhood and is further progressive. But in some cases the symptoms disappear during a process of early psychological development. So far, the treatment that has been introduced are merely to improve the symptoms, to prevent hospitalizations, improve the quality of life and ensure the recovery of an individual to reach a normal functioning level (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2008). One way of treating the disorder is by developing a treatment plan which involves a team of the medical professionals, family, and a teen patient (Kidshealth, 2008). Through this, the patient is given medication such as mood stabilizer and counselling, and monitoring of the patients condition. A mood stabilizing agent such as lithium, valproate, and carbamezepine are commonly used to stabilize mood. Lithium is effective in treating manic and depression episodes with capability of preventing possible reoccurrence (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2008). Valproate, and carbamezepine are also designed for manic episodes even in severe states. However, studies show that some of these stabilizing agents can cause hormone changes especially among teenage girls. Extensive consumption may also lead to potential complications. Other treatments for bipolar disorder also include family therapy which is done by reducing distress level within the family. Cognitive behavioural therapy may also reduce the symptoms of the disorder by changing the negative thoughts into positive thoughts. In addition, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy by improving the interpersonal relationship and increasing the ability to perform is also applied to treat the disorder. Furthermore, it is necessary that the patient and his family be educated about the disorder, its symptoms, and the process of overcoming it so that the patient will not be misinterpreted as insane. References Albrecht, A. T. , Moore, D. P. , Herrick, C. (2006). 100 Questions and Answers about Bi- Polar (Manic- Depressive) Disorder. Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Basco, M. R. Rush, J. (2005). Cognitive- behavior Therapy for Bipolar Disorder. New York: The Guilford Press. Frank, E. (2005). Treating Bipolar Disorder: A Clinicians Guide to Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Theraphy. New York: The Guilford Press. Helmut P. R. , Riedel, E. M. , Heiby, S. K. (2001). Psychological Behaviorism: Theory of Bipolar Disorder. The Psychological Record, Vol. 51. Hirschfeld, M. A. (2002). The Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Bipolar Disorder. American Psychiatric Pub. , Inc. Kidshealth. org. (2008). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from kidshealth. org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/bipolar. html. MedicineNet. com. (2008). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from medterms. com/script/main/art. asp? articlekey=2468 National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2008). Defining and achieving the recovery from bipolar disorder. Retrieved June 11, 2008, from ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/pubmed/16965184? dopt=AbstractPlus