Bipolar Depression Analysis

Depression that is something that usually affects everyone at some point in their life even when the person does not realize they are suffering from it. Depression can be brought on by many different things such as job lose, a death, or by an imbalance of the brain. According to Mental Health America, depression affects more than 21 million American children and adults annually. Mental Health America, also states the principal cause of the 30,000 suicides in the U.S. each year (Mental Health America. An Analysis of Depression Across the States.2012.).
Bipolar depression is also known as manic-depressive disorder. According to Wikipedia, it is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one
or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one of more depressive episodes (Bipolar disorder. Wikipedia. 2012). Bipolar disorder is subdivided into bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia. The onset of full symptoms generally occurs in late adolescence or young adulthood. Diagnose is based on the person’s self-reported experiences, as well as observed behavior. The abnormalities are associated with distress and disruption and an elevated risk of suicide. According to Wikipedia, unipolar is also known as major depression, is a mental disorder characterized by an all encompassing low mood accompanied low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or please in normally enjoyable activities (Major depressive disorder.Wkikpedia.2012) Major depressive disorder is a condition that is disabling condition which affects the persons family, work, or school life. The persons sleeping and eating habits are also affected. Major depression also differs from bipolar because it affects the overall health of the individual suffering. A person that is suffering with unipolar has a higher rate of committing suicide in the United States. Bipolar has many symptoms that usually start during childhood or early adulthood. Symptoms of bipolar disorder include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt, anger, isolation, or hopelessness. It can also cause disturbances in sleep and appetite. People with bipolar can experience changes such as depersonalization, social anxiety, chronic pain, and lack of motivation throughout their life. In some cases a person can suffer from sever bipolar depression with psychotic features. This is when the symptoms of bipolar depression also include delusions and hallucinations. The episodes usually last at least two weeks and can continue over six months if it is not treated. According to Wikipedia, what distinguishes bipolar disorder from unipolar depression is that the affected person experiences states of mania and depression (Bipolar disorder. Wikipedia. 2012). Unipolar depression has different symptoms when comparing children and the elderly. In children, the child will experience sleep and eating habit changes; they may have trouble thinking and paying attention and lose interest in activities. In the elderly experience forgetfulness. The depression in the elderly often goes along with other psyhical disorders such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. When a doctor diagnosis Unipolar depression the doctor will use DSM-IV-TR and ICD-10 criteria. This helps the doctor not misdiagnose the disorder. Bipolar is treated by many different pharmacological and psychotherapeutic techniques.
During manic episodes hospitalization may be required. There are also therapies that are used such as family-focused therapy, and psychoeducation which have been effective in relapse prevention. Medications are also used frequently to help with bipolar. They are known as mood stabilizers. Bipolar disorders can be misdiagnosed which can make it hard for treatment. Since the rate of being misdiagnosed is high it is very important for individuals suffering with this to be honest with their doctors about what is going on. Unipolar has a similar management program expect it adds an additional therapy. The management for unipolar depression is psychotherapy, medication, and electroconvulsive therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy is a procedure of pulses of electricity that are sent through the brain through two electrodes. The electrodes are usually one on each temple. It usually induces a seizure while the patient is under general anesthesia. It has been shown that Electroconvulsive therapy has a quicker effect than antidepressant therapy. It is ususlay what is chosen for treatment during an emergency. When electroconvulsive therapy is used alone its relapse rate is high within the first six months. It has been affects for it to be used with antidepressant until the individual has become
stable.