By : Chris Hegman

Previously known as melancholia and mania Earliest known document from the 2nd century A.D. German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin coined manic depressive psychosis German psychiatrist Karl Leonhard introduced the term bipolar

Bipolar is believed to be genetic

Euphoria or irritability Talking continuously and racing thoughts

Self-esteem is inflated
Inconsistent levels of energy Requires less sleep Very impulsive Hallucinations or delusion
PET scan of a nondepressed person

Sadness, helplessness, guilt, loneliness Speaking slowly, fatigue, and poor coordination

Low levels of self-esteem

Low levels of energy and apathy Insomnia or hypersomnia Thoughts of suicide Lack of interest in things and poor concentration
PET scan of a depressed person

Physical exam

Lab tests

Blood and Urine

Psychological evaluation

Families medical history

Diagnosis criteria

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD)

Subtypes

Bipolar I disorder, Bipolar II disorder, and cyclothymic disorder

Goals

Reduce the commonness of episodes

Prevent cycling between phases

Reduce the severity of the acute episodes

Challenges Mood variations are not predictable

Patients do not always give reliable information
Treatment may be costly

Drugs

Lithium

Mood stabilizer Reduces relapse Takes weeks to become effective

Anti-seizure
Valproate, Lamotrigine

Prevents nerve cells from over firing Affect the neurotransmitter (GABA)

Drugs Cont.

Atypical Antipsychotics
Clozapine , Risperidone

Used to treat schizophrenia Orally administrated Mode of action not completely understood

Antidepressants

May trigger mania

Helps reduce the risk of suicide

Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy

Focuses on identifying negative beliefs and replacing them with positive ones. Helps to identify what triggers bipolar episodes

Family Therapy

Helps to reduce family stress

Resolves conflicts relating to bipolar dissorder

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Passes electrical currents through a patients brain

Used to treat patients with severe depression

Work Cited
"Bipolar Disorder: Tests and Diagnosis." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 5 Jan. 2010. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis>. "Bipolar Disorder Medications." The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 Jan. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. <http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/bipolar-disorder/medications.html>.

Maggs, Richard. "Patients' Moods Swing from High to Low." South Wales Evening Post [Swansea] 15 Apr. 2011, 1st ed., News sec.: 3. ProQuest. Web. Apr.-May 2011. <http://www.csi.edu:2071/pqdweb?index=71&did=2320929891&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD& RQT=30 9&VName=PQD&TS=1303599982&clientId=58387>. Simon, Harvey. "Bipolar Disorder." University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 22 Jan. 2009. Web. 24 Apr. 2011. <http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_major_drugs_used_bipolar_disorder_000066_7.htm>.

"What Are the Symptoms of Bi Polar Depression." Surviving Bi Polar Disorder. 1 Jan. 2007. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. <http://www.survivingbipolar.net/whatisbipolar/symptomsbipolar.html>.