Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorderThe phenomenon of bipolar affective disorder has been a mystery since the 16th century.
History has shown that this affliction can appear in almost anyone. Even the great painter
Vincent Van Gogh is believed to have had bipolar disorder. It is clear that in our society
many people live with bipolar disorder; however, despite the abundance of people
suffering from the it, we are still waiting for definite explanations for the causes and cure.
The one fact of which we are painfully aware is that bipolar disorder severely undermines
its� victims ability to obtain and maintain social and occupational success. Because bipolar
disorder has such debilitating symptoms, it is imperative that we remain vigilant in the
quest for explanations of its causes and treatment.
Affective disorders are characterized by a smorgasbord of symptoms that can be
broken into manic and depressive episodes. The depressive episodes are characterized by
intense feelings of sadness and despair that can become feelings of hopelessness and
helplessness. Some of the symptoms of a depressive episode include anhedonia,
disturbances in sleep and appetite, psycomoter retardation, loss of energy, feelings of
worthlessness, guilt, difficulty thinking, indecision, and recurrent thoughts of death and
suicide. The manic episodes are characterized by elevated or irritable mood, increased
energy, decreased need for sleep, poor judgment and insight,...
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