Is a Frustrating Mess essays

Is a Frustrating Mess essays The severe mood fluctuations of bipolar or manic-depressive disorders have been around since the 16-century and affect little more than 2% of the population in both sexes, all races, and all parts of the world (Lee, Down is Not Out 9). Researchers think that the cause is genetic, but it is still unknown. The one fact of which we are painfully aware of is that bipolar disorder severely undermines its victims ability to obtain and maintain social and occupational success (10) Because the symptoms of bipolar disorder are so debilitation, it is crucial that we search for possible treatments and cure (12). The characteristics of bipolar disorder are significant shifts in mood that go from Manic episodes to deep depressive episodes in an up and down trip that seemingly never ends (Greer, Depression Source Book 139). There are actually three types of bipolar disorder (5). In bipolar III disorder there is a family history of mania or hypomania in addition to the client experiencing depressive episodes (13) this category is not highly used but is worth noting. Bipolar II disorder is marked by hypomanic episodes that have not required hospitalization (29). Bipolar I disorder is the full-blown illness and is defined by the presence of manic episodes which require treatment, and usually Bipolar disorder can strike at any age but most commonly strikes at age 18 in bipolar I; for bipolar II disorder, the age is 22 it has also been found that children can be seen with bipolar disorder early on (Lee 48) this is not very prevalent, and is only one in every 200 cases (Greer 93) This is thought to occur because many children with manic depression might have been misdiagnosed or just thought of as hyperactive and disruptive (Lee 81) The early symptoms of childhood bipolar disorder, distractibility, irritability, and hyperactivity are also the signs of attention deficit hyperactivity di...