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Depression Paper Kevin Lausterer Axia College University of Phoenix

Many people become depressed at some point in their lives, but when these feelings interfere with an individual’s ability to live a normal life and persist for an extended period, the individual should seek professional help. Some individuals not only experience depression but also extreme highs, known as mania, making it more difficult to live a normal, productive life. I will outline the differences between unipolar and bipolar disorders. In addition, I will address the underlying causes of unipolar and bipolar disorders, I will indicate the symptoms that an individual with unipolar or bipolar may be suffering from, and provide the treatments that are available for individuals who suffer from unipolar or bipolar disorders. Bipolar Disorder is a disease thought to be caused by changes in the chemistry of the brain. The symptoms and severity of the condition can vary, but with the proper treatment, Bipolar Disorder symptoms can be managed.

Amongst the more than five million adults in America who have Bipolar Disorder, these “mood swings” can be extreme or frequent. These changes in mood aren’t as simple as transitioning from “happy” to “sad.” With Bipolar Disorder, symptoms can include both a lowering of mood (depression) and an exaggerated elevation of mood (mania). These changes occur in cycles and are referred to as “episodes.” People with Bipolar Disorder experience extreme mood swings that can take three different forms: manic, depressive, and mixed episodes.

On average, people with Bipolar Disorder spend ten years seeking treatment before finally getting diagnosed. One survey found that as many as 70% of people with Bipolar Disorder are initially diagnosed with a different condition. Often, this is because

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