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Bipolar Disorder - Medical Negligence Claim
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Bipolar disorder is also called manic-depressive disorder. It is a disorder of mood swings that can be very low in a severe depression or very high, in a manic episode. The mood can shift rapidly or gradually over longer periods of time. When you are high with mania, you can feel a sense of euphoria and can feel as though you have unlimited energy. You can shift moods every few months or several times per day. You can even feel depressed and manicky at the same time.
There are three types of bipolar disorder. In bipolar I cases, there are mood swings that are very severe and are unaccompanied by many depressive states. The person is mostly manic. In bipolar disorder type II, there is mania and depression but they are less severe than with bipolar type I. In cyclothymia, there are minor changes in mood that range from minor depression to minor manic states.
Each person has his or her own set of bipolar symptoms with depression or mania being more or less prominent at any given point of time. The major symptoms include euphoria, inflated self-esteem, lack of sleep, risky behavior, poor judgment, rapid speech with racing thoughts, aggression, and increased physical activity. They undergo spending sprees, have an increased sex drive and use alcohol or drugs dangerously.
When there is a depressive phase, there is a lot of sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, suicidal behaviors or thoughts, sleep problems, fatigue, decreased or increased need to eat, a lack of interest in daily activities and problems concentrating. There can be chronic pain or irritability and performance at work or at school is diminished.
The mood can change with the seasons and some people have very rapid mood swings, sometimes changing within hours. There is psychosis along with the depression or mania. Detachment from reality is common.
There are many potential causes of bipolar disorder. These can include imbalances in the neurotransmitters of the brain, genetic involvement, hormonal imbalances and biological differences among people. Stress, sexual abuse or other traumatic experiences can become a cause of bipolar disorder.
Risk factors for bipolar disorder symptoms include having a first degree relative who has the disease, abusing alcohol or drugs, being under a great deal of stress, having a major life change and being between 15 and 30 years of age (at onset).
Coexisting conditions with bipolar disorder include having an anxiety disorder or post traumatic stress disorder, having ADHD or being addicted to alcohol or other drugs. Bipolar disorder is related to having heart disease, obesity and thyroid difficulties. In fact, it is a condition that can affect every aspect of your life and health. There can be financial and legal troubles related to being unable to manage one's finances. Relationships can be affected and the sufferer can be alone and isolated from others. Work and school absences are common. Those with bipolar disorder are at risk for suicide.
There are tests for bipolar disorder that a doctor can do. A complete physical exam is recommended along with a psychological evaluation. Lab tests can tell if something physical is causing the symptoms. Sometimes the doctor has the patient do mood charting to see if there is cycling of mood and behavior.
The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is published by the American Psychiatric Association. There are differences in the diagnosis of the various types of bipolar disorder that are laid out in the DSM text. The same criteria are used for children who have the disorder and for adults who have the disorder. Bipolar children are not common.
The treatment of bipolar disorder is lifelong and involves medications that control the depression and the manic episodes. Psychological counseling is recommended for people who need to learn how to cope with their symptoms. Hospitalization is done when there is suicidal behavior or dangerous manic or depressive behavior. Hospitalization is also used if psychotic symptoms are present.
Medications include lithium, a common treatment for bipolar disorder. Anticonvulsant therapy is occasionally used, including Depakote, and Lamictal. Antidepressants are used to stop the depressive behavior and anti-psychotics are used to suppress auditory hallucinations. Combination medications include Symbax, which is a combination of Prozac and olanzapine, an antipsychotic. Anti-anxiety medication in the form of benzodiazepines is used to control anxious feelings.