Current Thoughts on Bipolar Disorder - Research Paper Example

Running Head: Bipolar Disorder Current Thoughts on Bipolar Disorder College This paper is designed to define bipolar disorder. It will also discuss the benefits and risks of lithium, a common drug used to treat bipolar disorder. As well, the affects of bipolar disorder on children in the United States will be delved into. Although there are many psychiatric illnesses, more information regarding bipolar disorder is becoming available. This disease is characterized by mood swings. One moment, the person might experience a frenzied, manic episode, and shortly thereafter, he or she will sink into a severe depression. Herein, this essay will focus on describing bipolar disorder, discussing lithium as an effective treatment for it, and looking at how the disorder is affecting the American youth. Bipolar disorder is a "biological brain disorder that causes severe and unusual fluctuations in an individuals mood, energy, and ability to function" (Killu & Crundwell, 2008). Unfortunately, this description could also fit other diseases; therefore it is important for medical professionals to know as much as possible about the patient. In fact, "most people who develop the disorder are predisposed to it" (Currier, 2008). Doctors need to thoroughly assess a patient's family history. If bipolar disorder is suspected, physicians also need to ask about recent events that might have triggered an onset or episode because it is also caused by "neurotransmitter abnormalities and distressing life events" (Killu & Crundwell, 2008). According to Dr. Greg Mattingly, "With bipolar, you can go from pretty much normal one day, to the next day being very, very, very sick" (Currier, 2008). Mattingly was the psychiatrist for Marshall Fink, 26. In February of this year, Fink died. In the middle of a manic episode he lunged at his stepfather, John Gentles, who was holding a 9 mm pistol in self-defense. According to reports, Gentles was taken into custody, but quickly released. His wife, Shirlee, Fink's biological mother, supports her husband. Currier writes, "She doesn't blame her husband for killing their son. She blames the disorder for destroying the person he used to be" (Currier, 2008). In Currier's news article, Shirlee reported that Fink had a normal adolescence, and seemed normal until he had been in the Navy for two years, about age 21. According to Mattingly, the "stress and lack of sleep" triggered his onset. He'd also been taking a "legal stimulant," Currier writes. Studies show that substance abuse also plays a part in triggering bipolar crises. He became rude to his superiors, lost 20 pounds, and was paranoid. While the Navy was preparing a discharge, he left the service without permission. He was eventually found, brought back, charged, and dishonorably discharged. Shirlee and John took him in, but spent most of the time afraid for their lives, they said. When he was on his medications, he was much better, but like many bipolar patients, he'd stopped taking them at the time he was killed. Lithium is a popular drug choice for bipolar disorder. It has been used to treat mental illness since 1970, but newer medicines may be rapidly replacing lithium. "Treatment options besides lithium include anticonvulsants with mood altering properties, notably valproate (Depakene, Depakote), carbamazepine (Epitol, Tegretol), and lamotrigine (Lamictal), as well as antipsychotics and antidepressants" (Using, 2008). This same essay cites the preference of many physicians to use more than one drug, or "complicated regimens" to control the disorder, as reason for the decrease of lithium use. The essay does, however, call attention to the fact that lithium is an excellent choice for patients who are suicidal. It reads, "Lithium reduces the risk of suicide and of attempted suicide for patients with bipolar disorder" (Using, 2008). Since a bipolar person is 20 times more likely to commit suicide than someone who doesn't suffer from the disease, it can be argued that all patients with the diagnosis should be on lithium, even if in combination with other drugs. Like Fink, many patients choose to quit taking their prescribed medications because they "can't tolerate the side effects want to get pregnant [find it too] hard to adhere to medications regiments" (Using, 2008). It is important for physicians to communicate to their patients the importance of continuing their medications, but also the appropriate way to stop taking them. A patient on lithium needs to be weaned slowly to minimize side effects. Patients also need to be aware that for months after discontinuing lithium, the chances of having a psychotic episode are increased. Since "current estimates indicate that at least three quarters of a million America children and teenagers struggle with bipolar disorder" (Killu & Crundwell, 2008), something need to be done to address helping children before it is too late. The onset of bipolar disorder in children can be triggered by traumatic family events, like divorce; environmental issues, like a separation from, or fight with, a best friend; too much pressure to get good grades; or not getting enough sleep. While adults with bipolar disorder have severe mood swings, children who have the disorder experience the same range of emotions, but within a shorter time from. The might also experience several emotions (like laughing and crying) simultaneously. Children with bipolar disorder are also likely to suffer socially. Often, they have no friends. In class, they have trouble paying attention to details, have a harder time using self-control, and are typically disorganized (Killu & Crundwell, 2008). Intervention is often needed, but most schools do not have an action plan in place for bipolar students. With everything that is known about bipolar disorder in children, there is still much to learn, and schools need to take the initiative to find out how to best help these students who attend school in their district. Nothing works for everyone. Patients and their healthcare workers need to work diligently to find solutions that work for each individual. Schools have a responsibility to do the same. No one would find it acceptable to ignore services need by a blind or deaf student, and since bipolar disorder is considered a disability, it should be treated as such. In the meantime, more scholarly research might be helpful in paving the way for coming up with treatments, and, perhaps, someday a cure. What happened to the Gentles/Finks shouldn't have to happen to anyone else. References Currier, J. (2008, February 26). Bipolar disorder shatters family, ends in death. St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO). Retrieved April 12, 2008 from Newspaper Source database. Killu, K. & Crundwell, R. (2008, March). Understanding and developing academic and behavioral interventions for students with bipolar disorder. Intervention in School & Clinic, 43(4), 244-251. Retrieved April 12, 2008 from Academic Search Premier database. Using lithium to reduce suicide risk in bipolar disorder. (2008, January). Harvard Medical Health Letter. Retrieved April 12, 2008 from Health Source - Consumer Edition database. Outline Thesis statement: Include objectives - discuss bipolar disorder, current treatments, and how it affects children I. Introduction A. What is bipolar disorder i. Killu & Crundwell B. What are the symptoms C. How does it affect people i. Currier article II. What is the best treatment A. Lithium becoming outdated i. Using Lithium essay B. Benefits of lithium i. decreased suicide rate ii. also the Using Lithium essay C. Possibly discuss alternative treatments III. How does it affect our youth A. Differences in adults and children with bipolar i. Killu & Crundwell B. Social functioning i. Killu & Crundwell IV. Conclusion A. Succinctly restate other paragraphs B. Perhaps close with Fink family Read More