Theories in Bipolar Disorder
Introduction
Bipolar disorder is a mental disease defined by abnormally elevated energy levels hence it is often regarded as mood disorder. These elevated moods are often called mania in clinical terms and depression is common among the victims which are interrupted by periods of normal moods. Based on the severity of the moods bipolar disorders can be categorized as bipolar I, bipolar II and cyclothymia. Therefore, several theories have been formulated to determine the causes and therapeutic effects of the disorder on the victims. Consequently, when assessing the validity of therapy. These theories have defined stages and processes which are aligned to guide the counselor deal with the patients. Jaime who is the client in the case study has had previous bouts of the disorder which has deluded her goals of attaining her dream job, as well as, made her distant from her family.
Discussion
The biological theory of bipolar disorder
Research has shown that even though mutations in chromosomal locality have been linked to bipolar disorders, inheritance of the mutations is minimal as the mutated chromosomes rarely replicate. Other biological basis of the disorder includes old age parenthood such that parents produce offsprings at an early age. For this client, the specific age of the parents is not indicated while the parents are normal although chances of being carriers of the allele responsible for the disorder have not been ruled out (Goodwin and Jamison, 2007).
It is vital that the counselor should read out the various symptoms and limitations that are brought about by the disorder. This is important as it will give an insight to the patient regarding the obstacles that are presented by the disorder especially in attainment of the dream career. This information, in addition to, the implications of terminating medication way before completion which interferes with the healing process such that sufficient information should be provided based on the need to persevere the side effects as after that complete recovery will be obtained(Welton, 2006).
As the client has been fully diagnosed of the disorder and has taken medication at some pointing her life, the counselor should make her understand the intensity of medication in attaining her well-being. Biological research has shown that the level of excitement of the sodium and calcium ions present on the membrane of neurons is essential in determining the cause of excitement. Hence appropriate medication such as lithium carbonate is used to alter the neuron cell membrane excitement and at the same time block calcium from binding on the membrane thus reducing the degree of excitement (Goodwin, 2007).
Consequently, the fact that Jaime attended university even if for a single semester indicates that her ability to comprehend facts is higher. Hence the counselor should establish a formidable relationship with the client to give way for explaining the facts vividly. Similarly, this will lead to instilling self-confidence on the patient shifting the blame from their helplessness to natural occurrences which may affect everyone. Armed with this vital information, the counselor will create links between the client’s high IQ levels and the effects of medication to boost their chances of reverting back to medication (Eysenck, 1997).
The other procedure that can be undertaken by the counselor based on the biological theory is the essence of proper medication in attaining long term recovery. Consequently, due to the fact that proper diagnosis of the situation has been established chances of ensuring that adherence to medication are paramount to positive results are significant. This is enhanced by the dreams presented by the client and her fixed determination such that she does not consider diverting from that line of career. Hence persuasion and intravenous administering of drugs could be incorporated to assure the client that upon completion of the dosage, her dream career will be obtained rather easily (Goodwin, 2007).
As the biological theory indicates bipolar disorder as being directly related to the physiological malfunction of the body, a combination of efforts has to be incorporated into the treatment and recovery process. Therefore, relying on one strategy may not be sufficient as the client may prove uncooperative hence the need to have a second strategy. Consequently, this theory cannot fail to produce desired results as both parties are mutually obliged to benefit and the client is made responsible for their own healing process (Eysenck, 1997).
The trait and factor theory
When studying the personality traits that determine behaviors of individuals, the causative factors are essential as they enable the counselor to get a clearer insight on the problem. Consequently, it provides an opportunity for the client to understand the nature of their psychological problem and the limitations it presents in their lives (Welton, 2006).
The first step in this theory involves obtaining information from the client regarding their problem. Similarly, other pieces which are extremely useful include family traits and the nature of environment which they grew up in. this information is vital as it provides ample opportunities for the client and counselor to understand each others predicaments. The client should also provide information regarding past medication procedures, as well as, career and academic levels which have been attained so far so as to create links in the behavioral traits. The personal interests presented by the client are substantial in determining the limitations and degree of commitment that is presented by the client in the therapeutic process (Goodwin, 2007).
Analysis of the degree of commitment enables the counselor to determine whether incorporation of certain procedural treatments and therapies will auger well with the client. In this case study, the client has portrayed subsequent withdrawal from medication citing fear of the side effects which may hamper the rate of recovery, as well as, use of combined therapy in the situation. However, this is only achieved after the counselor has carried out intensive analysis of data collected regarding past and present live of the client (Welton, 2006).
The data analysis stage will provide an avenue of determining the cause of the bipolar disorder and the impact it has created on the client. In the course of analyzing the traits and experiences of the client, the counselor is able to identify the advantages, as well as, disadvantages of various therapeutic procedures which can be applied for the case. A relationship is created between the problem and the nature of treatment used which will be used to post the patients problem such that the patient is given an opportunity to discuss their predicament with the counselor. This stage may open up more avenues for the counselor to gauge the link between the traits and factors in the client’s life which may have led to intense disruption of medication (Eysenck, 1997).
The counselor can provide adequate information on the factors and traits theory which indicate that everyone has their own dream careers, as well as, goals which are unique to the specifications of the individual. This is attributed to the fact that the client has depicted the one person-one job description quite effectively such that they believe that each person has their own designated job specifications. Using this information, the counselor instills hope and motivation on the client based on the information obtained that the dream career as a bank teller can only be attained by ensuring that medication is taken until the end. This will make them flexible in their quest for treatment as they will be more willing to take part in the treatment procedures in order to increase their chances of obtaining their dreams (Eysenck, 1997).
According to the analysis, the intellectual capacity of the client is quite high especially due to the enhanced insights on the target career. Consequently, the client has shown interest in taking medication only if the side effects are reduced or kept under a manageable level. Research has shown that individuals suffering from bipolar disorders who have focused their minds into living normal lives have a higher chance of being receptive to therapeutic procedures. Hence the client is bound to get well after taking part in the medication process such that their mind will be adjusted towards getting well and subsequent follow-ups by the counselor are bound to depict formidable recovery (Goodwin, 2007).
The humanistic theory in bipolar disorder patients
In the humanistic theory of bipolar disorders, most of the clients are depicted as having low self-actualization perceptions. These are attributed to the fact that most of the patients are often neglected by their families and peers hence making them lonely. Solitude is a major threat of the disorder as the victims will end up feeling lost and unwanted in the communities they live in. this scenario has been seen in Jaime where she has experienced formidable rejection from home and in the various workstations(Welton, 2006).
The other step in deriving the inhuman causes of the disorder and its aggravation is lack of goals in life. The goals could be career, family-related and goals that are concerned with attainment of a better normal life. The client in this cases study has portrayed optimistic goals and aspirations which are essential in establishing the humanistic approach to the disorder. This ensures that the victim has self-instilled hope on unfathomable decisions regarding dimensions of life. The fact that Jaime has not engaged in alcohol consumption or outright indulgence in drugs portrays her dreams in making the best out of her life. At some point she sleeps of the streets and this does not blur her insight of a future when she will work as a bank teller. All these indications dictate that Jaime has not given up her life’s meaning as given a chance she could achieve the dreams that are forever fixed in her mind (Welton, 2006).
The humanistic theory is used to provide acceptance and some form of consolation for the victim such that their role in establishing their successful recovery is attained. Similarly, the theory calls for increased awareness of the client for their responsibility in ensuring that they are able to control their moods hence happiness, as well as, stability is attained. This is carried out in addition to the medicinal components of treatment such that combined humanitarian scenes and environment is incorporated into the procedural techniques to ensure that the patient is psychologically prepared to get well (Goodwin, 2007).
The humanistic theory is aimed at creating a conducive environment which will make the patient receptive to the nature of medication that is administered. Research has shown that bipolar patients who have experienced poor social lives, as well as, neglect from their families are bound to experience more problems in the course of therapy than those who receive maximum support from society and family members. This approach is not overly sufficient but when combined with other therapeutic methods, it is quite effective (Eysenck, 1997).
Conclusion
The biological, trait and factor, as well as, the humanistic theories are all paramount in establishing effective treatment on the bipolar disorder patients. However, a counselor cannot employ only one theory and deem his/her counseling effective as each theory has its weaknesses and strengths even though combining the three may be overwhelming for the patient. The fact that the patient has identified the problem and illustrated the will to live normally is a great motivator for the counselor, as well as, to them as it is an assurance that the combined efforts of the two parties and employing relevant therapies will result in successful treatment.
References
Eysenck, H. J. (1997). Personality and experimental psychology: The unification of psychology and the possibility of a paradigm. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 73, pp. 1224–1237
Goodwin F.K. and Jamison KR (2007). Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Depression, 2nd Edition. New York: Oxford University Press
Welton, D. (2006), The Treatment of Bipolar Disorder in Pastoral Counseling:community and Silence. Routledge.
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