Bipolar/Manic-Depressive Disorder
By: Hallie Andrewski
What is Bipolar disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is when two of your emotions are intensified and can change rapidly(daily), weekly, monthly, and sometimes seasonally. Like in the summer you're happy and the fall you're sad.
What body systems are affected by this disease? How does your body normally function and how does it function with this condition?
Body systems affected by this condition or disease are the nervous system, brain/neuro system, and cardiovascular/heart system. Which can cause, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, COPD, influenza or pneumonia, and unintentional injuries.
Your brain produces a certain amount of chemicals in your brain that helps keep your moods in check and tries to make sure you dont lash out(caused by not enough serotonin chemicals) or go into deep depressive moods(to much norepinephrine chemicals). But when you have Bipolar Disorder your brain produces uneven amounts of chemicals causing you to have two of your emotions double their intensity, usually anger and sadness.
How does this condition arise?
How is this condition diagnosed?
Signs and Symptoms
Signs
rapid or seasonal mood swings/changes
wanting to sleep a over normal amount of time that normal people would not sleep.
Not wanting to do anything or finish anything
Depression, irritability, erratic behavior, mind racing really fast
Speaking a lot and really fast
trouble focusing
People with this condition tend to abuse substances and drugs
Symptoms
racing heart beat
high blood pressure
hormone levels non normal
weird body temperatures
bad relationships
doing bad in school or at work
suicide
hurts immune system
- heightens stress levels
Treatment and cure for this condition
No one has found a cure for this condition but it can be treated for a long term period with medication described for your certain type of Bipolar Disorder. Mood stabilizers are the first thing doctors use to help and treat Bipolar patients,
“Valproic acid or divalproex sodium (Depakote), approved by the FDA in 1995 for treating mania. It is a popular alternative to lithium. However, young women taking valproic acid face special precautions.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal), FDA-approved for maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. It is often effective in treating depressive symptoms.
Other anticonvulsant medications, including gabapentin (Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax), and oxcarbazepine (Trileptal).”
Did your research mention any famous people with this condition? What made you pick this topic?
My research did mention a famous person with this condition. Vincent van Gogh, the famous artist, had Bipolar disorder. Thats why alot of people had called him crazy and made fun of him because back then they didn’t know it was a serious medical condition so Vincent was not treated.
I selected this topic because It seemed interesting and I have a couple of friends who have this disorder and I would like to know more about what is happening to them physically.
Citations
Bipolar Disorder Statistics." Statistic Brain RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2015
"Hotline Information." Bipolar Disorder Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Jan.
"Bipolar Disorder." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Ed. Arcy Lyness. The Nemours Foundation, 01 Mar. 2012. Web. 22 Jan. 2015.