Bipolar Disorder: A Neurotransmitter Malfunction
Ricky King II
UMUC-Europe
Fall Session 2 – 2013
PSYC 301
Abstract
This paper will give a brief overview of what an affective disorder is to give the reader a vantage point to build from. It will then concentrate on the affective disorder known as manic depressive illness or bipolar disorder. Then it will discuss some of the signs and symptoms of this disorder. This report will elaborate on the types of persons susceptible to this illness. It will also state the different psychological schools of thought and their views on the cause and treatment of this mood disorder. This paper will determine and share the neurobiological basis of this disorder. It will describe what neurotransmitters are and which are to blame for this illness. The paper will lastly explain how these neurotransmitters affect the treatment plans given to bipolar patients.
Affective disorders are also known as mood disorders because most of these disorders are characteristic of moods being in a constant state of change or can also be a mood that is not suitable to sustain the human psyche. The term affect is a medical term that describes one’s mood or emotional state of well-being (Bear, Connors, & Paradiso, 2007). In his text, Neuroscience: Exploring the Brain, Bear (2007) states that over 7% of the population will fall victim to one of the mood disorders which he described as “disordered emotions.” When most people hear about mood disorders such as depression they tend to think of a person that is having a bad day or recently received some bad news. While this is not particularly a great mind state to be in it is not what medical professionals refer to as an affective disorder. Once in a while it is normal to feel blue when significant stressors occur in your life. However, what qualifies as a mood disorder is a bit more involved. A mood disorder, as substantiated by...