Mania Diaorder Essay, Research Paper

Mania Disorder

To understand one’s mind usually takes an entire lifetime. Through the labyrinths of thoughts and events sometimes the mind cannot handle everyday happenings as well as others. Emotions and moods become roller coasters that have no seatbelts. Episodes of serious mania and depression are outlined feelings through a disease called bipolar disorder. Take account this person’s explanation of there minds flips and turns through everyday happenings: “I doubt completely my ability to do anything well. It seems as though my mind has slowed down and burned out to the point of being virtually useless…[I am] haunt[ed]..with the total, the desperate hopelessness of it all… Others say, “It’s only temporary, it will pass, you will get over it,” but of course they haven’t any idea of how I feel, although they are certain they do. If I can’t feel, move, think or care, then what on earth is the point?” “At first when I’m high, it’s tremendous…ideas are fast…like shooting stars you follow until brighter ones appear… All shyness disappears, the right words and gestures are suddenly there…uninteresting people, things become intensely interesting Sensuality is pervasive; the desire to seduce and be seduced is irresistible. Your marrow is infused with unbelievable feelings of ease, power, well-being, omnipotence, euphoria… you can do anything…but, somewhere this changes. The fast ideas become too fast and there are far too many…overwhelming confusion replaces clarity… you stop keeping up with it–memory goes. Infectious humor ceases to amuse. Your friends become frightened…everything is now against the grain. you are irritable, angry, frightened, uncontrollable, and trapped.” Bipolar disorder typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. It is often not recognized as an illness and people who have it may suffer needlessly for years or even decades. Bipolar disorder involves cycles of mania and depression. Signs and symptoms of mania include discrete periods of: Increased energy, activity, restlessness, racing thoughts, and rapid talking Excessive “high” or euphoric feelings Extreme irritability and distractibility Decreased need for sleep Unrealistic beliefs in one’s abilities and powers Uncharacteristically poor judgment A sustained period of behavior that is different than usual Increased sexual drive Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior Denial that anything is wrong Signs and symptoms of depression include discrete periods of: Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness Loss of interest or pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being “slowed down” Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions Restlessness or irritability Sleep disturbances Loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical disease Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts It may be helpful to think of the various mood states in manic-depressive illness as a spectrum or continuous range. At one end is severe depression, which shades into moderate depression; then come mild and brief mood disturbances that many people call “the blues,” then normal mood, then hypo mania (a mild form of mania), and then mania.