Manic Depression

By Jason Li + Seth Horan

Disease Name and Description

Manic Depression is alternating moods of abnormal highs(mania) and lows (depression).

This is also called bipolar disorder because of the mood swings.

Background of Patient/Symptoms

• Tish is a 40 year woman. • She has been undergoing extreme mood swings.• Symptoms: • Decreased appetite and/or weight loss, or overeating and

weight gain.• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions.• Fatigue and decreased energy• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness.• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to

treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.

Region of the Brain that is Affected

• The main brain areas involved in bipolar disorder include the frontal and temporal lobes of the forebrain, the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia and parts of the limbic system.

Diagnosis for Manic Depression

• Doctors usually diagnose bipolar disorder by using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM.

Treatments

• Medication is nearly always a part of the recommended treatment course for bipolar disorder. People with undiagnosed bipolar disorder will sometimes self-medicate with alcohol or drugs to try and relieve their symptoms.

• Treatment for bipolar disorder can be divided into three general categories. Acute treatment focuses on suppressing current symptoms and continues until remission, which occurs when the symptoms are diminished for a period of time. Continuation treatment prevents a return of symptoms from the same manic or depressive episode. Maintenance treatment prevents a recurrence of symptoms.

Prognosis

• With appropriate treatment, the outlook for someone with bipolar disorder is favorable. Most people respond to a medication and or combination of medications. Approximately 50 percent of people will respond to lithium alone. An additional 20 to 30 percent will respond to another medication or combination of medications. Ten to 20 percent will have chronic (unresolved) mood symptoms despite treatment. Approximately 10 percent of bipolar patients will be very difficult to treat and have frequent episodes with little response to treatment.

Error In Communication• Chemicals, (also known as neurotransmitters) such as norepinephrine,

dopamine, Serotonin, and others, are released into a region between two neurons -- called the synapse. Another neuron responds to the chemicals in the synaptic junction by excitement or with inhibition. Once the receiving cell has responded, the chemicals remaining in the synaptic junction are either broken down by monoamine oxidase enzymes or retaken up by the transmitter cell.

Two Biomedical Professions

• Psychiatrist- A Psychiatrist is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of mental illness. 12 years or more is necessary to become Psychiatrist. They help people with Manic Depression my talking and coping with them. They can prescribe medication.

• Psychologist- A masters degree or a doctors degree is required to become a psychologist. They aim to reduce the distress of patients. They can also talk and help cope with patients. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication.

Documentation• Treatment of Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression). (n.d.). Retrieved November

13, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/treatment-of-bipolar-disorder-manic-depression/000909

• Clinical psychologist: Job description. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from http://www.prospects.ac.uk/clinical_psychologist

• Bipolar Affective Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from http://obad.ca/information_bipolar#neurons

• Bipolar Disorder & Manic Depression Diagnosis and Symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from http://www.pendulum.org/diagnosis.html

• Manic Depression (Manic Depressive Disorder): Symptoms, Treatments, Causes, and More. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/bipolar-disorder-manic-depression

• Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from http://www.brainexplorer.org/bipolar_disorder