Bipolar Disorder: High Aspirations And Expectations Caused By Mania

Submitted By jennafarra
Words: 1531
Pages: 7
Open Document
Bipolar Disorder: High Aspirations and Expectations Caused by Mania

Bipolar disorder is defined by two drastic stages of mind: mania and depression. During episodes of major depression, a person is unable to go about daily activities and socialization. This is because when people suffer from depression, they are ridden with feelings of hopelessness. Contrarily, episodes of mania entail euphoric feelings. People who suffer from manic episodes may feel invincible, which will lead to big splurges and periods of feeling capable of accomplishing a tremendous amount of things. When these two drastically different moods are paired together, it becomes bipolar disorder. There are different types of bipolar disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the types of bipolar disorders are defined by the “extent of severity, the types of the symptoms, and the duration of the symptoms.” (Gooding, 2009, p. 1). In Bipolar I Disorder, mania is experienced fully, whereas in Bipolar II Disorder, mania is experienced less intensely. In Bipolar II Disorder, people suffer from hypo manic episodes. Another subtype of bipolar disorder is cyclothymia, which is a case of mild mood swings. Those who suffer from cyclothymia experience the polar moods in mild dosages, and in shorter or more distanced periods. The DSM-IV suggests that Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of cyclothymia (Gooding, 2009, p. 1). Studies indicate that genetics play an important role in having bipolar disorder. According to Salem Health Genetics, studies on have been conducted on the relation of bipolar disorder and biologically related family. Although it is clear that this disorder is passed on genetically, studies have not found the reason or pattern (McCoy, 2010, p. 1). However, there have been specific genes that have been linked to bipolar disorder, which confirms that genes play a role in inheritance. "Over the past decade, a series of findings suggest that people with bipolar disorder have high levels of reward sensitivity. A growing body of evidence suggests that people with bipolar disorder are highly goal-oriented. " (Meyer, Johnson, & Winters, 2001). These studies consist of studies relied on the self- report Behavioral Approach system scales. People with bipolar disorder seem to have high self esteem and feel that they can accomplish anything. Being that, they aspire to achieve great things, and sometimes unrealistic tasks. The rise of these behaviors and psycho-physiological measures of sensitivity have put students at risk for mania. The increase of the reward sensitivity has found to be considered manic symptoms fluctuate. During the manic episode, people with bipolar disorder have a higher value for goals than your average non diagnosed person. These manic symptoms may include increasing goals and taking on new projects. A person going through a manic episode lifestyle at that time may be considered frantic, busy, impulsively or enthusiastic. Activities that may occur during this phase would be high-risk behaviors such as: spending sprees, impulsive sex and business investment. These would be consider things that one may not do on a daily basis. Attaining reward and reaching high goals is valuable to one with the disorder because it contributes to their self worth. (Johnson, Carver, & Gotlib, 2011) Soon Johnson and Carter created the Willingly Approached Set of Statistically Unlikely Pursuits, also known as the WASSUP. (2006) The WASSUP is a 30-item self report measure on extremely ambitious goals. You choose a response on a scale from one to five. One being; I have no chance in setting this goal for myself, to five; I will definitely set this goal for myself and achieve it. In previous research, persons at risk for mania and those diagnosed with bipolar spectrum disorder have endorsed high aspirations on the Popular Fame and Financial Success subscales (Carver, & Johnson, 2006).
Show More

Related Documents: Bipolar Disorder: High Aspirations And Expectations Caused By Mania

Bipolar Disorder Research Paper

Bipolar Disorder What Causes Bipolar Disorder? There is no single cause for bipolar disorder. Indeed, like all psychological disorders, bipolar disorder is a complex condition with multiple contributing factors, including: Genetic: Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, so researchers believe there is a genetic predisposition for the disorder. Scientists also are exploring the presence of abnormalities on specific genes. Biological: Researchers believe that some neurotransmitters, including…

Words 2744 - Pages 11

Bipolar Disorder Essay

Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a mental disease that causes severe high and low moods. It’s called bipolar because the individual with this disease switches between two emotions or “poles”. The person will experience normal moods when not on one of these poles. The period when the person feel too excited or confident is called “mania”. The period when the person is depressed is called “depressive”. These mood swings could happen a few times a week or many times a day. Symptoms…

Words 1021 - Pages 5

Bipolar Disorder Essays

Bipolar Disorder Catherine Vick PSY350: Physiological Psychology Wayne Briner March 1, 2015 Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is characterized by transitions between depression and mania or hypomania depending on the severity. Individuals who experience manic episodes also experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood, but in some individuals…

Words 924 - Pages 4

Bipolar As A Mental Illness

Bipolar As a Mental Illness Bipolar is a mental illness, which affects individuals from different age groups, diverse backgrounds and of different genders. Karl Leonhard generated a new definition for “manic depression” by referring to the condition as bipolar disorder. Leonhard posited that the name befitted the disorder because bipolar patients display two different moods: the depressive and manic conditions. Naturally, normal individuals have a single personality that defines character, but people…

Words 1981 - Pages 8

Essay about Alex: Bipolar Alexandra Alexandre

Bipolar Alexandra Alexandre Breckinridge School of Nursing NU 250 Professor Lasanta August 19th, 2013 Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes extreme mood swings. This condition is also called manic-depressive illness or manic depression. Both men and women can have bipolar disorder. People of all age can have it. At times, a person who has bipolar disorder may feel very happy, full of energy and able to do anything, this feeling is called mania. At…

Words 867 - Pages 4

Bipolar Disorder Essay

Bipolar Disorder also known as manic depressive disorder is associated with mood swings that range from the lows of depression to the highs of mania. When depressed, there may be feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and loss of interest most activities. When the mood shift occurs in the other direction, feelings may be euphoric and full of energy. Mood shifts may occur as little as a few times a year, or as often as several times a day. In some cases, Bipolar Disorder causes symptoms of depression…

Words 787 - Pages 4

Bipolar Disorder Essay

Bipolar Disorder BEH/225 Axia University of Phoenix Bipolar disorder involves periods of excitability (mania) alternating with periods of depression. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt. Some alternative names for bipolar disorder are manic depression and bipolar affective disorder. Bipolar disorder actually affects men and women equally. It usually appears between the ages of 15-25. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is actually unknown, but it seems to…

Words 993 - Pages 4

bipolar356 2 Essay

Bipolar Disorder Beth Martin Fortis College Psychology 1010 Marci Stone June 23, 2014 Abstract The extreme highs and lows of mania and depression can hurt people’s jobs and school performance, damage your relationships, and disrupt their daily life. But they’re not powerless when it comes to bipolar disorder. Understanding the signs and symptoms and seeking professional help are the first steps to managing people’s symptoms and staying…

Words 1738 - Pages 7

Essay Depression: Bipolar Disorder and Depression Episodes

Depression Amy Psych270 02/09/14 Depression There are two types of mood disorders I will be discussing, unipolar depression and bipolar. With each mood disorder there are very specific symptoms that can distinguish which disorder a person may be diagnosed with. After diagnosing the disorder, there are several types of treatments that can help a person live a more functional life. Understanding the symptoms to a disorder will be the key to getting help. There are different symptoms of unipolar…

Words 1279 - Pages 6

Bipolar Disorder: a Deeper Understanding Essay

Bipolar Disorder: A Deeper Understanding Brandy Barnum ENGL106-1302B-210 6/21/2013 Abstract The term Bipolar Disorder is commonly used amongst psychologists and is being diagnosed more often in recent years. People everywhere in the world are getting treated for this “disease” based on symptoms that potentially all of us experience in our lifetime – periods of depression and anxiety, followed by periods of irritability and agitation; but the difference is, those diagnosed may have them more…

Words 800 - Pages 4