Psychological_Disorder_Analysis

Psychological Disorder Analysis LeAnn Carthel October 28, 2010 Axia College From the Faces of Abnormal Psychology Application, I found that Maria is suffering from one of three disorders, Bipolar Disorder with hypomania, Cyclothymia which is a milder form of bipolar disorder, or Dysthymic Disorder. For the purpose of this paper, I chose Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar disorder is a disorder of the brain, and can cause unusual shifts in energy, moods and levels of activity. Bipolar is characterized by the ups and downs a person feels, but the bipolar disorder symptoms are significantly more severe than that of just ups and downs. The ups and downs of bipolar disorder can affect jobs, relationships, to the extreme thoughts of suicide. Bipolar disorder puts people at a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and headaches. According to researchers there is not a clear cause for bipolar disorder, but many believe it is a result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. Norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine are the chemicals, also called neurotransmitters. An imbalance in the neurotransmitters can cause bipolar disorder, and an elevation in the neurotransmitters can cause mania. The symptoms of mania are feeling overly happy for no apparent reason, being agitated and jumpy, starting tasks and not finishing them, easily distracted, taking on more than the person can handle, having feelings of restlessness, trouble sleeping, unrealistic beliefs about one’s self, impulsive behaviors such as spending sprees, impulsive sex or business investments. The hypomania may have increased energy levels, but not to the extreme or severity as the mania. The person experiencing a manic episode may not recognize it, but family and friends and coworkers will. Without treatment hypomania can develop into severe mania and /or depression. The symptoms of the depression mood are long periods of feeling empty, or constant worry, lack of interest in anything once pleasurable and physical, feeling tired all of the time, cannot concentrate, has trouble making minor decisions, or cannot remember little day to day things, complains of feeling restless, changes in weight, changes in sleeping habits, may attempt or at least entertain the idea of suicide. There are other illnesses that look the same as bipolar disorder, so a complete physical will be needed to rule them out. Bipolar disorder in children can also be misdiagnosed as ADHD. The mental health care provider will run a series of tests such as blood work, physical exam and even a brain scan to rule out other factors that may present with the same symptoms. A complete diagnostic evaluation will get a list of all the symptoms from the person, the family history of mental illness. The mental health provider may also want to interview the family members to get an accurate description of symptoms. A series of psychological testing will also be required for diagnosis such as the Goldberg screening. This screening can be used to determine the possibility of depression or bipolar disorder I or II. The Goldberg screening for bipolar disorder is a series of questions with answers from “not at all” to “moderate” and the same holds true for the Goldberg screening for depression. The answers given will help the mental health provider to diagnose and treat the disorder. Marla, 42 years of age, comes to the clinic with complaints of sleep disturbance, feelings of agitation, and trouble concentrating causing her to be ineffective at her job. The health care provider takes an inventory of symptoms, and also asks a series of questions. Questions will be asked that evaluate reasoning, memory and focus. Other questions will include Marla’s age, race, occupation, marital status, family history of mental illness, health related illnesses (surgeries, high blood pressure, heart disease), daily habits (diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, street drugs), medications taken on a regular basis ( medications such as steroids that are used for arthritis, asthma or allergies can cause the same mood swings as bipolar disorder) traumatic events or memories (death in family, divorce), as well as any other stressors, find out how her relationship with other family members are, is there any thoughts of hurting self or others, goals from therapy, and what outcome is she expecting. After the initial information is taken, the mental health provider will suggest that she see her primary care physician for a complete physical, to rule out any physical illness that may cause the same symptoms (lupus, HIV, syphilis or thyroid function). Suggest to Marla that she needs to have the results from her visit to her doctor before her next appointment, which will take place within the next couple of weeks. At that time a diagnosis and treatment plan will be discussed. Marla returns with a clean bill of health from her medical physician. The health care provider will start with discussing what they feel is the diagnosis is based on the information collected, and will discuss with her all aspects of bipolar disorder. The next step will be treating the disorder. The health care provider will tell Marla that there is not a single medication that is a cure all, and that it may take several attempts before finding the right combination is found. Medications used to treat bipolar disorder are Lithium, Tegretol, Depekote, Lamictal, and at times Zyprexa and Risperdal are used to control mood swings. Of the medications listed, Lithium is chosen for Marla. Marla will be told of side effects that she needs to be aware of, and that she will also need to have regular blood work done to monitor the thyroid and kidney functions. Some of the side effects associated with Lithium are dry mouth, indigestion, acne, restlessness and joint pain. Marla will also be informed that medication alone will not be effective. She will probably need behavior therapy as well. The therapy or behavior therapy can help with learning how to change harmful or negative thought patterns. The health care provider will provide Marla with her prescriptions and a list of therapist that take her insurance, and are taking new patients. Another appointment will be set for four weeks so a follow up on medication can be evaluated. A regular follow up regimen will be decided on the individual health care provider to keep up with medications, and the mental health of Marla. National Institute of Mental Health (2010) retrieved October 28, 2010 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/bipolar-disorder.shtml Mayo Clinic (2010) Bipolar Disorder retrieved October 28, 2010 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar.html Webmd (2005) Bipolar Disorder Health Center, retrieved October 28, 2010 from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder.htm NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness (1996) Mental Illness, retrieved October 28, 2010 from http://www.nami.org