Is a Frustrating Mess

7 Pages 1860 Words

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

hospitalization (23).


Bipolar disorder can strike at any age but most commonly strikes at age 18 in

Bell 2




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 hyperacti...