Many mental disorders vary from person to person and in its on severity. All disorders have both a physical and psychological components. Abnormal behavior is difficult to define. Behavior may also be evaluated by whether it conforms to social rules and cultural norms, an approach that avoids reproachful nonconformists as irregular for behavior that, although strange, may not violate social standards and may even be valued in their culture.
What people consider a violation of norms can be affected by culture diversity; often culturally relative, understood by the culture in which it occurs (The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2010). Depression is a major problem in the United States; More than one in 20 Americans 12 years of age and older had current depression. In any two-week period, 5. 4% of Americans 12 years of age and older experienced depression. Rates were higher in 40–59 year-olds, women, and non-Hispanic Black persons than in other demographic groups (Pratt & Brody, 2008).
Thirty-three percent of all psychiatric outpatients suffer from depression. The percentage of Americans who will experience at least one major depressive episode during their lives has been estimated at between eight and 12 % for men and between 20 and 26 % for women. In this paper we will take a look at a mood disorder, known as bi-polar. Mood disorders are characterized by emotional states of extreme disturbances (The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2010). Bipolar Disorder Mood disorders are characterized by extreme disturbances in emotional states.
Some people experience extreme elation and hyperactivity; also, sadness, and depression. Bi-polar disorder is a diagnostic term in the DSM-IV-TR, for individuals who experience episodes of manic or of both mania and depression; excessive and unreasonable elation and hyperactivity characterize manic episodes. The DSM-IV-TR defines four basic types of bipolar disorders: Bipolar I Disorder, Bipolar II Disorder, Cyclothymiacs, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Bipolar Disorder and Human DevelopmentMost studies of bipolar disorder show that this illness tends to be familial with significantly higher risk in relatives of bipolar probands compared to the general population. Research suggest that imbalances of neurotransmitters norepinephriine and serotonin may cause depression and mania.
The left frontal-lobe that is active during positive emotions is inactive during depressive episodes. There is a small area in the prefrontal cortex that triggers bother the sadness and the mania of bipolar depression (Huffman & Piggrem, 2003).According to [The Journal Of Clinical Investigation, 2009)] [citied]--”Because of the elevated morbidity and mortality suffered by individuals with the disorder, BPD has been increasingly recognized as a major health problem. Despite advances in its diagnosis and recognition, the underlying neurobiology of BPD remains largely unknown. It is thought that BPD is a multi-factorial disease that results from a combination of different genetic profiles, characterized by the presence of various protective and/or preventive genes relative to susceptibility and risk genes as well as environmental influences, including chronic stressors, and traumatic.Bipolar and Socialization Psychosocial factors have been correlated with the development and maintenance of mood disorders.
Psychosocial theories focus on disturbance in the person’s interposal relationships, thought processes, self-concept, and learning history. When positive growth is blocked and a person’s self concept is overly demanding, the result is depression. The perception that one is cannot change things, for the better, leads to depression.Although evidence suggests that depressed patients suffer an impairment of social adjustment, the impact of life events and social support on the course of depression remain controversial (Huffman & Piggrem, 2003).
Conclusion Mood disorders can be biological or psychosocial. Biological factors play a major role in bipolar disorder. While the psychoanalytic explanations sees bipolar as anger turned inside out; depression results from a need to escape stress. Suicide is a major issue associate with stress.
We can reduce the risk of suicide by becoming involved and showing concern.
