Behavioral Disorder

Definition: Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to function and causes shifts in mood. The shifts in moods are not like everyone experiences, but severe emotional highs and lows. The person experiences extreme happiness, a normal mood, and extreme depression. These episodes are called manic episodes and depressive episodes. There are many different categories of bipolar disorder. The first, Bipolar I, consists of the presence or history of at least one manic episode. Bipolar II consists of a hypomanic and depressive episode. No manic episode has occurred at this point. Manic episode consists of an extreme “high” for at least one week. Some symptoms include high energy, very happy, little sleep needed, irritability, easily distracted, and spontaneous decisions. The next category is a mixed episode. This consists of both a manic and depressive episode every day for at least one week. A hypomanic disorder is like the manic episode except it is less severe, shorter in duration, and doesn’t affect everyday life as much. The major depressive disorder consists of symptoms such as extreme sadness, feelings of guilt, sleeping too much or not at all, low energy levels, decrease of appetite, chronic pain, and even thoughts of suicide. Bipolar disorder affects children differently. Kids may display changes of mood more rapidly or just have episodes of manic.

Implications: In order for me to work with an individual with bipolar disorder, it would be crucial for them to be diagnosed. Bipolar disorder is a very serious condition that needs treatment. As an educator, I would want to make sure that if the individual needed medication, the correct dose is given at all the right times. Also, I personally think that therapy is the best medicine. The individual may feel like they are alone and nobody understands them. If they have someone to talk to about it, they may have extra support. If their bipolar disorder is under control, this student would need no special attention or adjustments. However, if the student fell into a manic or depressive episode, it would be key for me to understand what they need. I would check to make sure their medication has been given and see if they need their therapist. Patience is the most important quality I could give to this individual. No matter what state they are in, whether manic or depressive, school is probably the least important thing on their mind. I would just have to sit down and explain to them the subject at hand. I think it would be helpful to display posters to show where they are in school and what they have achieved.

Specific Technology:
Electroconvulsive Therapy: This is a last resort when an individual does not respond to medication or therapy. An electrical shock is conducted to the brain and causes a short seizure to the brain.
Behavioral Therapy: Therapy can help an individual cope with negative thoughts or extreme happiness.

Annotated Bibliography:
Long, P. W. (2005). Bipolar Disorder. Internet Mental Health. Retrieved on February 27, 2009 from http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-md02.html.

This website presented basic information about bipolar disorder; the causes, prevalence, symptoms, ect. The most informative portion was the categories of bipolar. It provided information about each category and what they consist of.

Nazario, B. (August 27, 2008). Bipolar Disorder and Depression Symptoms. WebMD. Retrieved on February 27, 2009 from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/coping-with-bipolar-8/depression.

This website offered information about the basics of bipolar disorder. It gave in-depth descriptions about the symptoms of the depressive episodes of bipolar disorder.

Science Writing, Press & Dissemination Branch. (2009). Bipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved February 27, 2009 from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/complete-index.shtml#pub7.

This institute presented information about bipolar disorder. It gave detailed in sight about the manic and depressive symptoms. It also provided information about ECT and how it can help people with bipolar disorder.

Sheslow, D. V. (January 2007). Bipolar Disorder. Teens Health. Retrieved February 27, 2009 from http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/bipolar.html.

This website provided information about children diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It affects children somewhat differently than adults and gave ideas of how children can cope with bipolar disorder.

Smith, M., Segal, J., and Segal, R. (2008). Bipolar Support and Self-Help. Help Guide. Retrieved on February 27, 2009 from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/bipolar_disorder_self_help.htm.

This website presented information about how individuals cope with bipolar disorder. It provided ways to keep the disorder under control and how to detect if your treatment is not working.