Bipolar Disorder

By Katie Weaver and Paige Smith

Patient: Patty Tree• Patty Tree, a 15 year old girl in high school, has recently had many

personality and lifestyle changes.• In the past year, her mother states that she has been isolating herself from

others and no longer enjoys going to play with her soccer team.• Her sister has also noticed major differences in Patty’s mood. She explains

that her sister is angry more than normal and has became extremely restless at night.

• In school many of her teachers have seen her hang out with people who have been caught with drugs. Also her lack of concentration and poor judgments have caused her grades to drastically drop.

• The family made a decision to see a doctor as soon as Patty had talked seriously about ending her life.

• After the family’s third visit, Patty had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.• The family now is working hard to help her overcome this disease.

Symptoms • People who have bipolar disorder may have many mood swings between

being depressed (“The lows”) to mania (“The highs”).

Mania Depression

Excessive Happiness Uncontrollable crying

Showing poor judgment Lack and need of sleep, insomnia

Drug and alcohol abuse Attempting suicide

Restlessness, Impulsiveness No longer interested in things they once enjoyed

Rapid speech and poor concentration Irritable, loss of energy, long lasting sadness

Making grand and unrealistic plans Appetite changes

Sudden changes from being joyful to irritable and angry

Trouble making decisions

Area of Brain affected

Prefrontal cortex: less glial cells and reduced activity

Cerebellum: decreased size

Hypothalamus: Increase in the levels of some neuropeptides

Hippocampus: decrease in the number of neurons

Treatments

• Mood-stabilizing Drugs- used to help maintain a steady mood over time.

• Psychotherapy (“talk therapy”)- aid in patients being able to cope with their conditions throughout their lives. Patients are allowed to discuss feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that cause their problems.

• Atypical Antipsychotics- new modern medicine that provides great relief to patient, but can also cause major side effects.

All medication is prescribed by the patients doctor.

Diagnosis-tests Preformed• Physical Exam: Height, weight, heart rate, blood pressure, and

temperature are all measured. Also an abdomen examination is done as well as a heart/lung listening.

• Lab Tests: Blood and urine tests. These test can expose any physical problems that could be contributing to the patient’s symptoms.

• Psychological Evaluation: A mental health doctor will talk with the patient about their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Also the patient will fill out a psychological self-assessment. The doctor will also communicate with relatives or friends to obtain any information about the patient’s behavior with the patient’s content only.

• Mood Charting: The patient’s doctor will ask for the patient to keep track of their daily moods, sleep patterns, or anything else that can help the diagnosis of the patient.

Prognosis

• Throughout the patients life, they will need to continue to take their medication that can be more than one type.

• It has been recommended that patients meet with a therapist regularly to watch for any signs of future episodes.

• Patients will need to keep medication and symptoms in check. Unfortunately, there is no cure.

.

Error in Communication

• Overall brain volume decreases.• During Depression phases, neurotransmitter amount reduces

which can cause low serotonin levels.• During Mania phases, neurotransmitter amount increases which

causes an excess amount of dopamine.• Bipolar disorder medications help regulate the amount of

neurotransmitters that are released to maintain the levels of serotonin and dopamine.

Biomedical Profession • Psychological Therapist: Works with patients who need help due to

mental health issues that are causing many negative effects on the patient’s life. They can work in an individual or group practice with a hospital or health services center. Their main clients are people who have psychological disorders.

Education- (Depending on the field of study) Four years of medical school to obtain a M.D. along with a residency of 3-8 years. Those pursuing a psychology degree spend 5-7 years for a Ph.D. certificate. Students study certain disorders, treatment options, and sometimes pharmacology.

Help With Patient: A psychological therapist can meet regularly with Patty to help manage the patients episodes and medication. They are normally needed throughout a patient’s life.

Biomedical Profession:• MRI Technician: These people perform diagnostic testing by taking images

of patients' bodies using computerized MRI scanners. They normally work under supervision of physicians and other medical doctors. MRI technicians can work in many different environments, such as hospitals, mobile radiographic units, diagnostic imaging centers, or doctors' offices.

Education- Students should have completed education and training as radiologic technologists. They will need an associate’s degree certificate. Specific courses cover musculoskeletal anatomy and pathology, patient care and safety, imaging law and ethics, MRI physics, and MRI procedures. Hands on experience with patient care and MRI equipment is recommended.

Help With Patient: A MRI Technician can help by taking images using their specific equipment to create extremely detailed and 3D images that can be used to help diagnosis our patient.

Citations• Bipolar Disorder: Treatment and Care. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-treatment-care• Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20027544

• Kuwana, E. (n.d.). Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved November 14, 2014, from http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/bipolar.html

• MRI Technician Job Description, Duties and Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from http://education-portal.com/mri_technician.html

• Psychological Disorders Therapist: Job Description & Career Info. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from http://education-portal.com/articles/Psychological_Disorders_Therapist_

• Treatment of Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression). (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/treatment-of-bipolar-disorder-manic-depression/000909