Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder - Essay Example

Patients’ successful coping with treatment and medication can change the course of depression (Lam et al, 2000). Bipolar disorder consists of several symptoms, some of them being prodromal or predicting the onset of an attack. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the symptoms of bipolar disorder based on research. Hence, three empirical research articles from peer-reviewed scientific journals will be summarized, and an overview of the research findings from all three studies will be detailed.

The distinctive features of bipolar disorder have been determined from earlier research studies. Some reverse neurovegetative symptoms such as hypersomnia or excessive sleeping, hyperphagia or overeating; melancholic symptoms; suicide risk during the depressed phase; irritability, anger, overactivity and psychosis are associated with bipolar depression. The clinical predictors of the disease are early onset of symptoms, bipolar family history, and hypersomina (Perlis et al, 2006). Relapses are likely to occur after long distance traveling when undergoing a jet lag, or from disorder and deviation in the pattern of daily routine (Lam et al, 2000).

The main recommendations put forth by the American Psychiatric Association (APA, 2000) for cognitive therapy are the early detection and treatment of prodromal symptoms, the maintenance of regular social interactions and sleep routines (Lam et al, 2000). Research investigations focusing on the symptoms of bipolar disorder are crucial for developing preventive interventions as well as optimally effective therapies for the mental illness. This empirical research was conducted by Simon et al (2008).

The authors studied the phenomenon of mood symptoms in people with bipolar disorder, and evaluated how the symptoms related to work productivity. This is a significant topic for research because bipolar disorder being a major cause of disability leads to increased likelihood for loss of