Bipolar disorder is a disease that most people in the general public have heard about but had little experience with. For me, it is a disease that I find extremely interesting, and I attribute that interest to actually knowing someone who suffers with bipolar disorder. One of my cousins is both schizophrenic and bipolar, and seeing how she has been affected by these mental illnesses is very eye-opening. Most of the symptoms that you see when you are with her are the “schizophrenic side” but when you compare interactions with her at different times (like Christmas vs. Fourth of July) it is sometimes evident of her “bipolar side,” as well. My cousin is someone who suffers greatly from these diseases of the mind; she is unable to have a job and must live in a community that does not allow for complete independence. The medications that she takes also take some of the “life” out of her and have caused additional health problems. It is heartbreaking to think about what her life could have been like, had she not been diagnosed with these disorders. Mental illness is something that has a very negative connotation in today’s society because it is a disease that cannot be “seen”. There are no effects on mobility like Parkinson’s or ALS. It is much harder to ask for help for something like depression or bipolar disorder because it can be embarrassing for the patient. It is for this reason that we should continue research on bipolar disorder (and other mental illnesses) to determine exactly what is happening in the brain and why.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is more than just mood swings. The mania and depression associated with the disorder can drastically alter a person’s life. There are multiple pathways in the brain that are altered/triggered in BD. First, excess dopamine is associated with BD, and when it reacts with an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, the dopamine is broken down. This breakdown causes reactive oxidative species (ROS) to be created. ROS are harmful because they cause the mitochondria of our cells to become stressed, and oxidative stress ultimately results in apoptosis, or cell death. Too much glutamate in the body can also be seen in BD. Excess glutamate causes excitotoxicity, generation of ROS, and cell apoptosis. Finally, inflammation in the brain is a very large part of BD. When there is inflammation, receptors called TNF-alpha and IL-6 receptors are activated. Activation eventually leads to apoptosis and neurodegeneration through ROS and oxidative stress as seen in the other pathways.
Treatment for BD is difficult because there are two opposing extremes to treat. Too much “control” of the depression can elevate manic symptoms, while treating the mania can result in depressive symptoms. It is a delicate balance, and patients with BD are often on a cocktail of drugs to maintain that balance. Lithium is one drug that proves to be very effective at treating BD, but the mechanism behind how it works is unknown. Much of today’s research involves finding out how lithium can control BD in the hopes that understanding that pathway can help us understand what is exactly causing BD.
Bipolar disorder is difficult to live with, but not impossible. Unlike my cousin, many people are able to hold jobs and have families while they are diagnosed with BD. But in addition to having the difficulties and symptoms of BD, they also must deal with the negative stereotypes associated with mental illness. Just because someone requires pharmaceuticals or therapy to stabilize their mood does not make them less of a person. As a society we should not be so quick to judge those with bipolar disorder, or any mental illness for that matter. Eliminate the stigma associated with BD, and others may be less afraid to seek help.
My Cousin, Bipolar Disorder, and the Stereotypes of Mental Illness
