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Bipolar Disorder

Over five million people in the U.S suffer from an illness called Bipolar Disorder, also known as Manic-Depressive Disorder. Bipolar disorder is an extreme mental disorder that consists of anxiety, impulsivity, and recklessness during episodes of high and low depression and mood swings. This illness is not bias towards men or woman, but studies show that it is hereditary.
Studies show that there are no specific causes to bipolar disorder, but between the combination of biologic, genetic, and environmental factors such as substance abuse, psychologically traumatic events, and stress. It’s the inability to cope with such stress that normal people don’t find stressful that triggers the chemical imbalance in the brain. (Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol 115(3), Aug 2006). Researchers have also showed that brain tests and scans have isolated some of the biological factors; abnormal hyperactivity to parts of the brain associated with emotion and movement, and low activity to parts of the brain associated with concentration, and excessive influx of calcium to the brain cells. (Lundy, Allan.1990). Studies have shown that Schizophrenia, epilepsy, panic disorder, and Bipolar disorder show very similar genetic links that appear in families. (Dr. John Nurnberger, mood disorder family tree). However, not everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease. Episodes of illness are associated with distress and disruption, and a relatively high risk of suicide. Studies suggest that genetics, early environment, neurobiology, and psychological and social processes are important contributory factors.
Bipolar disorder has shown to affect both men and woman, and can begin in childhood, adolescence, or late in life. Studies suggest that rates of mixed mania [symptoms of mania and depression appearing simultaneously] and co morbid mania [mania coexisting with another disorder] are higher in young people...