Learning Project Bipolar Disorder - 1666 Words

Learning Project: Bipolar Disorder Brianna Parker Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Learning Project: Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is a very intense disorder and many people struggle with dealing with it on a day to day basis. According to the A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia (2013), bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that can affect your behavior, emotions, and wellness. Bipolar disorder symptoms are more severe than a personal just experiencing a bad day. They consistently interfere with a person’s everyday life. They can vary in intensity, from damaging previously healthy relationships, to thinking about committing suicide. Not all cases of bipolar disorder are the same in that some cases are more severe than†¦show more content†¦Because of this, there are two main types of bipolar disorder, bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. Bipolar I disorder is the most common type out of the two disorders. As it states in the textbook Abnormal Psychology: Clinical and Scientific Perspectives (2014), the main difference between the two disorders is that bipolar I has the occurrence of a manic episode throughout the course of the disorder. A manic episode can be described as the person be very talkative at a fast pace, easily distracted, reckless behavior and lack of self control, little need for sleep, and elated. A person with bipolar I disorder can have a lack of self-control which can lead to a very dangerous sex life by engaging in unprotected sexual activity with multiple partners, or even obtaining a drug addiction. On the other end of the spectrum, there are occurrences of depressed episodes that are experienced by people with both bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. Depressed episodes can be characterized by the person being in a bad mood or experiencing sadness daily. Feeling fatigued, having difficulty concentrating, not remembering things easily, and eating problems can stem from depressed episodes. Individuals may also experience a sense of hopelessness that can potentially lead to the attempt or even carr ying out suicide. Hypomanic episodes are also experienced by individuals with both bipolar I disorder and bipolar II disorder. These