Bipolar
...able suffering and, not infrequently, suicide”(Spearing 1). Bipolar disorder is present in about 2 million people in the US, which is one percent of the population (Spearing 1). The disorder is more prevalent in men than in women, and is normally diagnosed by the age of 18. A person can be predisposed to this disorder if his or her parent is a sufferer of the disorder. According to Kimberly Bailey, “Overwhelming evidence suggests that such disorders are familial and almost certainly reflect an underlying genetic vulnerability”(1). At least fifteen percent of the bipolar population will commit suicide (“Bipolar”). Bipolar disorder offers doctors a wide variety of ways of diagnosis. The most obvious symptoms include extreme mood swings, increased/decreased energy, restlessness, irritability, racing thoughts/jumping from one idea to the next and abuse of drugs and alcohol. Other symptoms include distractibility, poor judgment, increased/decreased sexual drive, and feelings of hopelessness/self worth, guilt, helplessness, and denial that anything is wrong. Periods of highs are called mania, and the lows are termed depression. There are both physical and mental problems associated with this disorder. Other problems, such as, alcoholism, drug abuse, sex abuse, and restlessness often tend to mask the real problem. People may suffer these problems for years before the correct diagnosis is made. Bipolar disorder can also be linked to thyroid disease (Spearing 9). There are several options when it comes to treating bipolar disorder; both mental and physical medication is an option. Lithium Carbonate and valproate are the most common medications prescribed for manic depression. Between twenty and forty percent of patients do not respond to lithium therapy (“Bipolar”). The drug is taken everyday, not just when a patient is encountering an episode. Often times, the medication is given along with a depressant or antidepressant, depending on the person’s episode patterns. There are side effects associated with the medication that treats this disorder. These include nausea, increased thirst and urination, vertigo, appetite lose, and muscle weakness (“Bipolar”). Another issue that must be con...