According to The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology: "Bipolar disorder used to be known as manic depressive disorder. It's a serious illness, one that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and careers, even suicidal tendencies -- if it's not treated".
Bipolar disorder involves extreme changes in moods; also known as poles. These mood changes or swing range from mania behavior (highs) to depression (lows). In between these mood swings, an individual with Bipolar disorder may experience a normal mood. The Cleveland Clinic of Psychiatry describes manic behavior as "an increasingly restless, energetic, talkative, reckless, powerful, euphoric period. Lavish spending sprees or impulsive risky sex can occur. Then, at some point, this high-flying mood can spiral into something darker -- irritation, confusion, anger, feeling trapped."
"Depression" is an opposite mood or behavior that is characterized by feelings of sadness, crying, sense of worthlessness, loss of energy, loss of pleasure and sleep problems. Pattern of highs and lows vary from person to person. This is why Bipolar disorder is often a complex disease to diagnose. For some, mania or depression can last for weeks or months or even years. For others, bipolar disorder occurs frequently and with dramatic mood changes.
Causes of Depression
The causes of depression are many. Depression is a complex disease that can occur as a result of a multitude of factors. For some, depression occurs due to a loss of a loved one, a change in one's life, or after being diagnosed with a serious medical disease. For others, depression just happened, possibly due to their family history. Factors involved in causing depression, include: A history of depression in the family: It is believed that depression is passed genetically from generation to generation, although the exact way this occurs is not known. Grief from the death or loss of a loved one. Personal disputes, like conflict with a family member. Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Major events that occur in everyone's lives, such as moving, graduating, changing jobs, getting married or divorced, retiring, etc. Serious illness: depressed feelings are a common reaction to many medical illnesses. Certain medications Substance abuse: close to 30% of people with substance abuse problems also have major depression. Other personal problems: these may come in the forms of social isolation due to other mental illnesses, or being cast out of a family or social circle.
The Body vs. The Mind
Medical research indicates that people suffering from depression have changes in their brain compared to people who do not depressed. The hippocampus, a small part of the brain that is vital to the storage of memories, is smaller in people with a history of depression than in those who are not depressed. Serotonin, a body chemical, has been found to have a lower receptor rate that is controlled by the hippocampus portion of the brain. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter and chemical messenger that allows communication between nerves in the brain and the body has been a leading factor and natural body chemical discussed by medical doctors who treat depression. As of today, scientists don't know why the hippocampus is smaller in individuals diagnosed with depression. Researchers have found that cortisol (a stress hormone that is important to the normal function of the hippocampus) is produced in excess in individuals diagnosed with depression. Cortisol has been found to have a toxic or poisonous effect on the hippocampus.
Some doctors believe it's possible that some depressed people are born with a smaller hippocampus that leads to a greater possibility of developing depression. Depression is complex. It is an illness with many contributing factors. As doctors reach a better understanding of the causes of this illness they will be able to make better diagnoses and which will lead to more successful prescribed effective treatments.
Genetics and Depression
There is evidence that suggests a genetic link to depression. Children, siblings and parents of people with severe depression are much more likely to suffer from depression than are members of the general population. Multiple genes interacting with one another in special ways probably contribute to the types of depression that runs in families. Scientists have not been able to identify a "depression" gene. Information for this article was obtained from: The Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry and Psychology.
IF YOUR ARE EXPERIENCING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, A DESIRE TO HURT YOURSELF, CALL 911 OR SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
| Scott Wardell is a school counselor and created ScottCounseling.com to provide parents with 100's of free parenting articles to assist parents with their parenting skills. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Wardell |
No comments:
Post a Comment