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Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

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Treatment of Bipolar Disorder - 1 Running Head: TREATMENT OF A MOOD DISORDER

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

Frances Watson Psychology 201, Summer 2009 Professor Kiely July 17, 2009

Paper submitted to Prof. Kiely for Psychology 201, 8/17/2010

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder - 2 Abstract
This essay will be reviewing the ways in which persons with the mood disorder bipolar disorder are given treatment for their illness. The stages of treatment, components, and results of treating bipolar disorder, or BD, will be explored. Bipolar treatment varies between children and adolescents and adults, therefore the various treatments are unique and not specified in this essay. A brief description of the symptoms, the disorder itself, and ways in which it is diagnosed will also be discussed.

We will be focusing on Bipolar I Disorder for the purposes of this paper.

Paper submitted to Prof. Kiely for Psychology 201, 8/17/2010

Treatment of Bipolar Disorder - 3 Introduction
Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mood disorder that causes shifts in mood from mania to depression. During times of mania, one feels as if they are on a “high” and experience a high level of energy, racing thoughts, are easily distracted, and have a decreased need for sleep. During times of depression, one feels a decreased level of energy and activity, as well as low-self esteem. Various sources indicate variable types of bipolar disorder, but the main ones are:


Bipolar I Disorder: this is the most common type of BD; the individual experiences at least one episode of mania and one episode of depression



Bipolar II Disorder: as opposed to “full-blown manic episodes” (M. Smith, et al, 2009), individuals with Bipolar II Disorder experience manic episodes of lower intensity (known as hypomania) as well as severe depression.



Cyclothymia: the milder form of

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