Research Paper on Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mania

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that usually affects people in their early adulthood. As a slowly creeping disorder, schizophrenia can sometimes be very difficult to notice at its onset (Correll et al., 2015). However, in some cases, it can get into the person's life suddenly and show up quickly too. The most common characteristics of schizophrenia include hallucinations, disorganized thoughts, delusions, and other cognitive challenges. Schizophrenia can be a long-term struggle during which they are completely unaware of their situations. A person might look normal, but when they start talking, they express a complete expression of sense from what was expected of them. On the other hand, bipolar mania is a brain disorder that results in an extreme distortion of mood including emotional lows known as depression and the emotional highs referred to as hypomania (Correll et al., 2015). Persons suffering from bipolar mania usually undergo various cycles of thoughts of hopelessness, lack of interest or pleasure in doing activities especially when they are depressed. But when they become hypomania, they feel euphoric and strangely irritable. Schizophrenia and bipolar mania have a very close association with each other because they affect the patient in an almost similar fashion (Bora & Pantelis, 2015).

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Etiology of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mania

Researchers believe that there are numerous factors lead to the development of schizophrenia and bipolar mania. The conditions, however, have no distinct causes that can be definite to them (Vancampfort et al., 2015). Instead, there are various factors that can be considered to contribute to their occurrence. Although the conditions are thought to arise from genetic factors, environmental factors have also been found to significantly contribute to their development. Below are the major factors that have been scientifically established to cause schizophrenia and bipolar mania.

First, is the genetic inheritance. Researchers have established that the presence of a person who at one point of time suffered from schizophrenia in a family line is an indication of the presence of the disorder in that family line. Since these diseases are believed to be genetically inheritable, anyone belonging to such a family is at risk of the contract the disorder. However, if there is no history of any of these disorders in a family, then one has a risk of less than 1 for developing the disorder (Correll et al., 2015).

Another factor believed to be the cause of schizophrenia, and bipolar mania is the chemical imbalance in the brain. This basically involves the imbalances in dopamine, serotonin, or other neurotransmitters. According to Whitton et al. (2015), such imbalances cause a disturbance in the way a person perceives normal situations and can lead to significant changes in mental capacity to process feelings of their environment leading to episodic high and low mood swings (Bora & Pantelis, 2015).

Family tensions are also believed to heighten the conditions. Whenever there is tension in a family, most patients of these disorders report relapses in their conditions. Stressful experiences usually precede the emergence of schizophrenia. The patients become habitually unfocused, full of anxiety, and bad temper leading to most relationship hiccups and even loss of employment at the workplace (Correll et al., 2015).

In some instances, schizophrenia is caused by some kinds of drugs such as LSD and marijuana (Bora & Pantelis, 2015). Apart from that, researchers have also determined that the consumption of cannabis can trigger the first schizophrenia episode. In addition to these drugs, some researchers argue that some prescription medicines such as stimulants and steroids also can lead to psychosis.

Manifestations of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mania

Schizophrenia manifests in the following forms. A patient with this disorder experience and shows the signs of having a disorganized speech, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behavior, persisting for a long time, usually six months or more (Bora & Pantelis, 2015).

On the other hand, bipolar mania manifests through such conditions as increased agitation, reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts, being strangely talkative, euphoria, making poor decisions and distractibility. Serious depressive bipolar episodes involve the signs that are very evident and capable to disrupt the daily activities of the patient either at work or any other social activities or even with relationships (Vancampfort et al., 2015). The patients suffering from bipolar mania show depressed mood including hopelessness, having a very sad feeling, empty, and tearful. Apart from that, the patient might lose morale in all activities. In addition to these, there can also significant weight loss due to inadequate dieting caused by stress and acute depression. Some patients would develop insomnia, slowed behavior or restlessness, feelings of being worthless, indecisiveness, and fatigue due to loss of significant energy. Furthermore, the patient suffering from bipolar mania may harbor many thoughts, plans and even suicide attempts (Correll et al., 2015).

Nursing Treatment for Schizophrenia and Bipolar Mania

Treatment of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar mania is possible. When the proper treatment is administered, patients can continue with their lives as normal and become productive (Whitton et al., 2015). Treatment mechanisms applied in these conditions are aimed at relieving patients of the adverse schizophrenic symptoms that suppress their activities. However, the majority of patients might not recover entirely from the situation since they would still undergo schizophrenic episodes. The most effective treatment involves a suitable combination of psychological counseling, medication and self-help resources to suppress the condition. In the past, the majority of patients spent a very long time at hospitals under medication. Nowadays, the invention of anti-psychosis drugs has made life simpler for patients since they can now stay at home with their community rather than in the hospital. The most common medications administered for patients with schizophrenia include Zyprexa, Risperdal, Clozaril, Geodon, Seroquel, and Haloperidol (Bora & Pantelis, 2015).

For the case of bipolar mania, the treatment also involves a combination of medication, psychological counseling and self-help resources to keep the patient well. Despite having no specific medicine to treat the condition, doctors advise that the patients should be highly alert at the signs especially at the onset of the disorder and seek medical attention because this might make a significant difference (Whitton et al., 2015). Early medication may alleviate the condition in a very great way and successfully suppress the overwhelming outbreak of its signs and symptoms that might have adverse effects on the patient. The following precautionary measures are necessary for treating bipolar disorders before developing into full episodes (Correll et al., 2015).

Patients should pay close attention to the warning signs and symptoms and report them early to the doctor to be given a special medical treatment suitable for their situation. In doing this, it is good to involve others such as family members and the doctor in monitoring the warning signs to avoid entering into full-blown episodes that might make the patient's conditions worse thereby, compromise their social and employment stand.

Psychiatric Diagnosis Meta-Analysis

Bora and Pantelis (2015), in their article entitled "A meta-analysis of cognitive impairment in first-episode bipolar disorder: comparison with first-episode schizophrenia and healthy controls," noted that neurocognitive deficits happen in both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. However, some researchers suggested that it is more evident only in schizophrenia and not bipolar disorder. The meta-analysis was conducted to compare the neurocognitive deficits in first episode BP (FEBP) with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and healthy controls. The study involved 22 adults with 533 FEBP patients, 605 FEBP, 1417 healthy controls, and 822 FES patients. From this study, the researchers found that there is a significant link between neurodevelopmental factors and both bipolar disorders and schizophrenia (Vancampfort et al., 2015).

Vancampfort et al. (2015), in their article entitled"Risk of metabolic syndrome and its components in people with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder: a systematic review and metaanalysis. World Psychiatry," assessed the metabolic syndrome in persons with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders considering both demographic variables and use of psychotropic medication. A sample of 198 persons was used. Methods included inclusion and exclusion criteria, and statistical analysis. The authors found that patients receiving antipsychotic medicines are more susceptible to metabolic syndrome risk than non-users. This information is significant in designing proper medication for persons with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders.

Whitton, Treadway, and Pizzagalli (2015), "Reward processing dysfunction in major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia," studied the reward processing dysfunction in schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and major depression. The authors used literature review method. It was found that reward processing is significant and efficacious in treatment and intervention strategies for mental disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Correll et al. (2015), "Effects of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers on risk for physical diseases in people with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder," analyzed the effects of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants on risk for physical illnesses in persons with depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The study used a literature review method. The researchers found that antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics reduce risks of physical diseases on persons with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.

Reference

Bora, E., & Pantelis, C. (2015). A meta-analysis of cognitive impairment in first-episode bipolar disorder: comparison with first-episode schizophrenia and healthy controls. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 41(5), 1095-1104.

Correll, C. U., Detraux, J., De Lepeleire, J., & De Hert, M. (2015). Effects of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers on risk for physical diseases in people with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. World Psychiatry, 14(2), 119-136.

Vancampfort, D., Stubbs, B., Mitchell, A. J., De Hert, M., Wampers, M., Ward, P. B., ... & Correll, C. U. (2015). Risk of metabolic syndrome and its components in people with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder: a systematic review and metaanalysis. World Psychiatry, 14(3), 339-347.

Whitton, A. E., Treadway, M. T., & Pizzagalli, D. A. (2015). Reward processing dysfunction in major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Current opinion in psychiatry, 28(1), 7.