Bipolar Disorder
...almost anyone. Bipolar disorders are mood disorders that include one or more manic or hypomanic episodes and usually one or more depressive episode (Varcarolis). Between the elevated and depressed mood episodes, the person may experience long periods of a normal stable mood. There are many different symptoms of bipolar disorder and each person may or may not act the same way, therefore, bipolar disorder has been broken down into different subcategories of bipolar I and bipolar II disorders. Although the exact explanation of the onset of this disorder is not known, there are several different theories that may apply. The most important part of a person diagnosed with bipolar disorder, aside from how they got it, is how to treat it. Just as there are different theories, there are just as many treatment methods.
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 period of remission (Hollandsworth, Jr. 1990). Affective disorders are characterized by several categories of symptoms that can be broken down into manic and depressive episodes. The depressive episodes are characterized by intense feelings of sadness and despair that can become feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Some of the symptoms of depressive episodes include anhedonia, disturbances in sleep and appetite, psycomoter retardation, loss of energy, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, difficulty thinking, indecision, and recurrent thoughts of death and suicide (Hollandsworth, Jr. 1990). The manic episodes are characterized by elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, poor judgment...
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