Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar affective disorder has been a mystery since the 16th century. History has shown that this affliction can appear in almost anyone. According to an article on bipolar disorder by, David E. Cohen, Some research suggests that highly creative people such as artists, composers, writers, and poets, show unusually high rates of bipolar disorder, and that periods of mania fuel their creativity. Famous artists and writers who might have suffered from bipolar disorder include poets Lord Byron and Anne Sexton, novelists Virginia Woolf (who did suffer from bipolar disorder) and Ernest Hemingway. (Encarta Encyclopedia) Despite the fact that many people suffer from bipolar disorder, we still wait for clear explanations for the causes as well as the cure. The one fact of which we are painfully aware of is that bipolar disorder severely weakens its' victims ability to obtain and maintain social and occupational success.Manic and Depressive Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder or manic depression is characterized by many symptoms that can be broken into manic and depressive episodes. The depressive episodes are characterized by intense feelings of sadness, despair, hopelessness, and helplessnes
Lithium salts has been the primary treatment of bipolar disorder which continues to be used since it accidental discovery by J.F.Cade.(Kalat 434) It is main function is to stabilize the mood of bipolar disorder patients. The drug usually takes two to three weeks to become effective. People with bipolar disorder may take lithium during periods of normal mood to delay or prevent later episodes of mania or depression. Common side effects of lithium include nausea, increased thirst and urination, dizziness, loss of appetite, and muscle weakness. Unfortunately, 20- 40% of bipolar patients are either unresponsive to lithium or can't stand the side effects.(Encarta Encyclopedia) For those 20 to 40 percent of people who do not respond to lithium therapy, two anticonvulsant drugs may help calm severe manic episodes. The first one is carbamazepine (Tegretol) and valproate (Depakene). These drugs are useful as anti-manic agents, especially in patients with mixed states. Both of these medications can be used in combination with lithium or in combination with each other. Valproate is especially helpful for patients who are unresponsive to lithium, experience rapid cycling, or have alcohol or drug abuse problems.(Encarta Encyclopedia) (NDMDA) Newer antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine, risperidone and quetiapine appear to help with manic episodes. Also, anticonvulsant or antiepilepsy drugs such as lamotrigine, topiramate and gabapentin may help stabilize patient's mood when other medications are ineffective.(psychology today, 87) Yet other drugs used are antidepressants. They include, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's), fluovamine and amitriptyline which been used by some doctors as treatment for bipolar disorder. However, research shows that SSRI's and other antidepressants can actually trigger high manic episodes especially when used alone. Antidepressants are useful when used in together with mood stabilizing medications such as lithium.(NIMH) (Psycholog
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