Bipolar Disorder Research Paper

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Pages: 2

Bipolar Disorder is a condition in which the mood is shifted and fluctuated in energy and activity levels that can make day-to-day living unfavorable. It is a serious mental illness and if left untreated it can unmine career prospects, destroy relationships, and affect academic performance. Medical News Today states that “An estimated 2.9 percent of Americans have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and 83 percent of cases are classed as severe.”. You can be diagnosed with the disease at any age, but it is most commonly diagnosed between the ages 15 and 25 years. It affects both male and female equally.
The signs and symptoms of Bipolar disorder are varied. Many of these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, making this condition hard to diagnose. Warning signs for the disorder can be divided into those for mania, and those for depression. Signs of mania will include: feeling overly happy or “high” for long periods of time,having a decreased need for sleep,talking very fast, often with racing thoughts,feeling extremely restless or impulsive, and becoming easily distracted. Signs of depression in will
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The most extensive used drugs for Bipolar disorder include lithium carbonate and valproic acid (also known as Depakote or Diveloprex). Lithium carbonate is effective in reducing mania, but doctors do not know exactly how it works. Lithium may also prevent the recurrence of depression. Valproic acid is a mood stabilizer that treats manic and mixed phases of Bipolar disorder, along with carbamazepine (Equetro). These may be used with or without Lithium to control symptoms. Other antipsychotic drug include: Haloperidol (Haldol Decanoate), aripiprazole (Abilify), asenapine (Saphris), olanzapine (Zyprexa, Zyprexa Relprevv, and Zyprexa Zydis) or risperidone(Risperdal), and these drugs are given as an alternative to Lithium and Divalproex. Therapy is also a form of