Bipolar Disorder and Its Effects on Cognitive Mindset of Adults Essay Example

Bipolar Disorder and Its Effects on Cognitive Mindset of Adults Essay Example Bipolar Disorder and Its Effects on Cognitive Mindset of Adults Paper Bipolar Disorder and Its Effects on Cognitive Mindset of Adults Paper 1996) As issued by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIHM), and other researches the lifetime prevalence of manic episode was 0. 8%. Manic symptoms were often observed in the age group 18-29 and also in men more than women. The age group with highest prevalence rate was the adult age group of 30 – 44, in contrast to manic symptoms where the highest prevalence was in the age group 18 – 29. Since mania characterizes bipolar disorder because mania cannot be unipolar in form as depression can be, types of bipolar disorder are classified by the length or the course of manic episodes on the lifetime of the disease. (Ibid) Bipolar disorder, recently have two know types: Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Bipolar I disorder, according to DSM-IV, requires only one manic episode and no past major depressive episodes. (Keck et. al. , 1996). Across different sites bipolar I prevailed at the rates of 1. 2% in New Haven, 1. 0% in St. Louis, in contrast to Baltimore and Los Angeles with a rate of 0. 6% and Durham with 3. 4%. (Zarate Tohen, 1996) Bipolar II is characterized by one or two episodes of major depression and at least one episode of hypomania. The rates of bipolar II disorder were also inconsistence of on the sites, ranging from 0. 4% in Durham to 0. 6% in Baltimore. A one year prevalence report shows that the hishest rate of 1. 2% occurs in the age group of 30 – 44. BIPOLAR DISORDER AND EFFECTS ON ADULT COGNITION AND LEARNING Jean Piaget’s developmental theory on mental cognition employed a clinical method approach which treated human subjects as receiver of situations that appeals to the stimulus in which questions about such events are addressed to the subjects afterwards. Piaget’s developmental theory appeals to the mainstream cognitive science today. His influential theory is essential in the mode of the research since it resides to the concept that metal events for example focuses on the structure of knowledge and on the logical reasoning process. (Ormrod, 1995) It is important to note that bipolar could affect this process of thinking because the psychological effect of manic-depressive illness directly alters neural transmissions, via manipulations of neurotransmitters on the brain synapses. However, the research does not necessarily explain these alterations to the cellular level of neurotransmission. The concerns on Piaget’s developmental theory suggest some following ideas about human learning. One idea implicates that people or human beings are active processors of information. (Ormrod, 1995) If the scope would be narrow down to adult sufferers of bipolar disorder it is obvious that this fundamental function of human cognition is altered, especially on the onset of either the episode on major depression or the episode on mania. Both extremes exhibits symptoms of inability to concentrate properly and distractibility can be attributed to a decrease in information processing towards the brain. These could often lead to a significant lowering of cognitive power of the brain. Some forms of information processed from the environment to the adult sufferer can be transformed into another form which caused confusion which in turn to negative effects his work or job. This made us believe that adult sufferers of manic-depressive illness are not active processors of information. Deficits in sustained attention as measured by continuous performance testing on adult patients, comparing to those who have pure and mixed mania showed that patients with mixed mania exhibited a greater overall cognitive impairment. (Keck et. al. , 1996) Another idea on cognitive learning by Piaget is his notion that cognitive development results from the interaction of individuals with their physical and social environments. (Ormrod, 1995) During the episodes of depression, according to medical outcomes study by Wells and colleagues (1989) social functioning has worsened in patients with current depressive symptomatology. Social functioning were measured using a patient screener which measure several areas of functioning, including physical, role and functioning. The number of days spent in bed as well as perception of well-being is recorded. As compared with other chronic diseases like hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, depression exerted a greater adverse effect on social and role functioning than other chronic disorders. Other researches suggest that social impairment may persist after a symptom improvement. (Bolland Keller, 1996). CONCLUSION Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder and a psychological disability that negatively affects metal cognition of adult sufferers. It impairs cognitive functioning as well as social functioning. Jean Piaget’s theory on developmental cognition on its perceptions on information processing and social functioning is directly negated by the symptomatic implications of manic-depressive illness. References Bolland, R. and Keller, M. (1996) Outcome Studies of Depression in Adulthood. Mood Disorders Across Life Span. Pages 228 -229. Keck P. , McElroy, S. , Kmetz, G. , Sax K. (1996) Clinical Features of Mania in Adulthood. Mood Disorders Across Life Span. Pages 265 – 275. Ormrod, Jeanne Ellis. (1995) Human Learning. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Suppes, T. and Rush, A. R. (1996) Evolving Clinical Characteristics or Distinct Disorders. Mood Disorders Across Life Span. Pages 3 – 14. Zarate, C. Tohen, M. (1996)Epidemiology of Mood Disorder Throughout the Life Cycle. Mood Disorders Across Life Span. Pages 17 – 28.