PACIFIC OAKS COLLEGE

Pasadena, California

A HD 489 01P Reflective Study: Research Data Collection

DIANA LISSETTE CAMPOS

Faculty:
Professor Sheree Bielecki, M. Ed
Fall 2016
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Diana Campos

Bipolar Disorder

For this paper I will be discussing what I have learned through research. My key topic is

about bipolar disorder. I have done research and will continue by stating all the facts I have

learned throughout this assignment. I will also be focusing on my theory, which will be stated in

the reflection part of my paper. This paper is also based on how bipolar disorder can affect the

lifespan of an individual.

A mental health or illness can affect a person’s well-being, their psychological

well-being, and their social well-being. The most common mental illnesses are depression,

anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, frequent mental distress, and Alzheimer's disease.

Psychological disorders are more and more common; one of the more common disorders is

bipolar disorder which can affect every person from their childhood until their adulthood.

To begin with, a bipolar disorder is also known as a manic-depressive disorder; that

disorder causes the brain to have unusual shifts when dealing with energy, mood, activity levels,

and the ability to be able to complete and carry out day-to-day tasks. Sadly, the symptoms of

bipolar disorder can be severe. About one percent of the adult population suffers from bipolar

disorder. That is more than two million adults (ages eighteen and over) have bipolar disorder.

About 2.6% of individuals are diagnosed with bipolar disorder every year. That is about 5.7

million adults (“Bipolar Disorder Among Adults,” 2005).

Individuals with bipolar disorder usually feel mood swings, sadness anger, anxiety,

feelings of guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, or other emotional feelings. Behavioral wise they

feelirritibly, aggression, hyperactivity, impulsive behaviors, urges for self-harm, risky behavior,
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or can have disorganized behaviors. Cognitively; they can feel, unwanted thoughts, delusions,

lack of concentration, slowness when doing activities, or false belief in superiority.

Psychologically; individuals can suffer from depression, can go through a manic episode,

agitated depression, or suffer from paranoia (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2016).

Individuals going through bipolar disorder can also suffer from lack of sleep or suffer

from an excessive amount of sleep. They can also feel, fatigue, restlessness, weight gain or

weight loss, and rapid and wildly excited or uncontrollable speaking. People suffering from this

disorder are more likely found; about 28% living individually, 25% living with a family member,

about 20% living in supervised housing (which is considered as group homes/ etc.), 10% living

in nursing homes, 6% living in jails or prisons, another 6% are homeless or living in shelters,

and lastly, about 5 to 6% living in hospitals (“Bipolar Disorder Among Adults,” 2005).

Next, individuals suffering from bipolar disorder express certain symptoms and require

certain treatments. Symptoms of children and adolescents suffering from a manic episode can

feel; very happy or a silly and unusual way, talk really fast, having trouble sleeping but not

feeling tired, can have a very short temper, people with bipolar disorder usually have a lot of

trouble staying focused, they can also talk and think about sex more often, and display very risky

and dangerous behaviors (“Bipolar Focus,” 2006).

However; individuals such as, children and adolescents who suffer from a depressive

episode can feel; at times, very sad, it is possible for them to complain about pains (for example,

stomach aches or headaches), they have a tendency of sleeping too little or too much, have a

feeling of guilt or worthlessness, eat a little or too much, thoughts of death or suicide, and little

to no energy and express no interest in fun activities. The most common age group of people
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suffering from bipolar disorder is twenty-five. Although; people that are diagnosed with bipolar

disorder can be diagnosed at early childhood or as late as an individual's forties or fifties

(National Institute of Health, 2015).

Treatments for bipolar disorder include support groups, cognitive behavior therapy,

psychoeducation, family therapy, and psychotherapy. Support groups are used as counseling to

share experiences with others who are going through a similar condition or goal to get better.

Cognitive behavior therapy is used as a therapy where individuals talk about their negative

thoughts, feelings, or behaviors and the emotional psychological distress they feel (“Bipolar

Focus,” 2006).

Psychoeducation is an education about mental health that is used to support, validate, and

help leave individuals with a feeling of empowerment. Family therapy is a psychological

counseling that helps families resolve issues and find ways to communicate with each other more

efficiently. Lastly, psychotherapy is used as a treatment to treat mental or behavior disorders

though talking. There are also medication treatments that involve taking; antipsychotic or SSRI.

Antipsychotics are used to reduce or improve symptoms based on certain psychiatric conditions

and SSRI are used to ease symptoms of depression or anxiety (“Bipolar Disorder No Longer

Wreaks My Life,” 2015).

To continue, bipolar disorder is not only in adults; but, children as well. Bipolar disorder

is usually diagnosed in other children and teenagers but, it bipolar disorder can occur in children

at any age. For both adults and children suffering from bipolar disorder can have them dealing

with mood swings that ranges from a high feeling of hyperactivity or euphoria (this is also

known as: mania) to low feeling of massive depression. Although bipolar disorder is easier to
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diagnose in teens; children as young as six can be diagnosed with the disorder. Symptoms for

adults and children suffering from bipolar disorder are similar (“Bipolar Disorder,” 2016).

Next, children and adults who suffer from bipolar disorder can feel the same things;

there are minimal difference between the two age groups. Although children to adulthood can

express the same symptoms and feel the same things; children who have bipolar disorder have a

higher chance of being diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders. For children they can be also

be diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct

disorder, and anxiety disorders. Bipolar disorder can run in the family; for children and adults,

the first form of treatment is therapy and medication (“Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adults,”

2016).

All children respond to medication differently; therefore, certain children may need more

than one medication. Based on the child; their symptoms may be complex and along with

medication, they will need a form of psychotherapy. Based on the study provided by the National

Institute of Mental Health; based on a twelve month study using health care, about 48.8% of

adult individuals with bipolar disorder are actually receiving treatment. The individuals receiving

minimal treatment are about 18.8% adults (“Bipolar Disorder Among Adults,” 2005).

Relapse with this disorder happens when symptoms of the bipolar disorder get worse or

when previous symptoms return. Relapses are common and many individuals experience a

relapse more than once. When a person goes through a relapse; persistent symptoms are different

than worsening symptoms. The struggles with bipolar disorder include loss of focusness and the

incapability of control one's own emotions (Tracy, 2015).

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Effects on the life cycle for children; makes it very hard for them to focus and keep their

emotions in line; when their disorder is not receiving treatment. Also, children with bipolar

disorder can be antisocial since, they can have low self-esteem. For adults; if their disorder is not

properly treated; it can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions of self-harm. Both children and adults

have a sense of withdraw from friends and family (Tracy, 2015).

Bipolar disorder can impact a child’s life because since this is a mental disorder; it can

have different effects on everyone. Individuals suffering from this disorder can leave the person

having delusions, hearing, or visual hallucinations. By suffering from this; it can cause a person

to increase their paranoid feelings. Suffering from paranoia can have a big impact on a child’s

development. Socially; it increase their sense of withdraw and can increase isolation (“Bipolar

Disorder,” 2016).

When making choices; depending on medication can base their choice. If a person with

bipolar disorder is not treated; they tend to have a riskier mind set. Those individuals do not

think of consequences or the effects of their actions. People with bipolar disorder live more on

spur of the moment actions and just do without thinking; which is why they should keep their

disorder under control and take the necessary medication, as prescribed by a doctor (“Bipolar

Disorder in Children and Adults,” 2016).

Overall, I have learned that although disabilities are an obstacle but any obstacle can be

overcome. A disability is a challenge that just needs more hard work to succeed. Which answers

my question of how does bipolar disorder affect the lifespan? This answer lead to my theory of

Obstacles will always exist but, it’s up to us to help and assist anyways possible. A disability
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seems like a setback but, it just means to work and try harder. In the end it makes it even more

worth it.

In conclusion, bipolar disorder can affect anyone from childhood to their adulthood. This

disorder is one of the most common manic-depressive disorders and is important that it is treated.

If remained untreated; it can leave an individual harming or even killing themselves. There are

more treatments than just medication and relapse can occur. It is important to monitor anyone

suffering from bipolar disorder for their safety. If they don’t receive treatment; their development

in their lifespan will only get worse. In order to get better they need the medication and

treatments to live a better life.

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Bibliography

"Bipolar Disorder - Facts and Statistics." ​Bipolar Disorder - Facts and Statistics​. N.p., n.d. Web.

04 Dec. 2016. <http://www.pendulum.org/bpfacts.html>.

"Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens-Other Places To Get Help." ​WebMD​. WebMD, n.d.

Web.

04Dec.2016.<http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/tc/bipolar-disorder-in-childhood-

and-adolescence-other-places-to-get-help>.

"Bipolar Disorder No Longer Wrecks My Life... Found Peace with Manic Depression."

PsyCom.net - Mental Health Treatment Resource Since 1986. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2016.

<https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.bipolar.html>.

National Institutes of Health​. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 04 Dec.

2016.<https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder-in-children-and-teens-qf

-15-6380/index.shtml>.

Tracy, Natasha. "Effects of Bipolar Disorder - HealthyPlace." ​HealthyPlace​. N.p., n.d. Web. 04

Dec.2016.<http://www.healthyplace.com/bipolar-disorder/bipolar-information/effects-of-

bipolar-disorder/>.