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7/27/2019 Criminal Behavior is Often the Result of an Interaction Between Genetic and Environmental Factors
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There is no great genius without a mixture of madness.Aristotle
Bipolar is not simply a disorder, according to the book The DaVinci Method. It is a
symptom of high creativity and energy, and found in most geniuses. While it brings success
to some, it leaves others with manic episodes and depression. There is evidence to suggest
that a number of artists and writers meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder. Charles
Dickens, Beethoven, Marilyn Monroe, and VanGogh are just a few famous individuals
thought to be linked to the disease. Our case study Susie also suffers from this disorder, the
child of a strict Irish upbringing. She describes herself as out of control at times, or even
refers to herself as a superwoman to friends. This woman has odd political notions and
has begun to write notes to herself anywhere and everywhere. At one point, she even
contemplated suicide.
There are three main components involved when it comes to neurotransmitter
influences. The first involves serotonin, which is most commonly known for being associated
with moods of depression. The second is noradrenaline (also known as norepinephrine)
which has been in bad company with some psychotic and manic episodes. The third is
dopamine, and is linked to our pleasure center of our brain. When this fails, the human body
no longer functions on a realistic level and becomes illogical in its thought patterns and
behaviors. The brain chemical serotonin is equally connected to our sleep and eating habits,
our sexual activity, impulsive behavior as well as our ability to learn and recall information.
Most any study these days will conclude one thing: bipolar disorder is considered
genetic. The convincing piece of evidence shows that there is definite proof it runs through
families via twin studies. If one identical twin has bipolar disorder, the second twin is
anywhere from 40% to 70% more likely to develop the condition. Those who have a
predisposition for it already are more likely to trigger the effects under environmental
stressors or otherwise. Many other individuals who do not develop the disorder are likely to
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progress and develop ADHD, major depression, even schizophrenia or simply substance
abuse. As much as genetics play a role, they are only half of the picture. From the
background mentioned in Susies case, it sounds as if her maternal grandfather could have
been treated for a similar mental illness by using the outdated method of electro-convulsive
therapy. Her relatives also have a mild history of depression, which further adds to weighing
suspicions. On an interesting side note, WebMD states that children born to fathers in their
50s were found to have a 37# higher chance of developing the disorder too. Susies parents
could have been older, which would explain some of the stricter, traditional ways they
expected all family to live by. The older a person gets, the harder set they are in their ways
of the world.
There are studies that tie brain abnormality to bipolar disorder and show us how each
brain is wired just a little different than the next person. They way an individuals brain
decides to wire itself is very unique. No two are the samesort of like fingerprints, only this
is a brain print. Having a differently wired brain is not necessarily a bad thing either if you
look on the bright side: there will be brain activity in areas where the average healthy person
regularly has none. These are called intracel lular signaling abnormalities. Susies brain will
simply be giving her about 31% more signal sending cells to the Thalamus, and 28% more
to the Ventral Brain System. The reduction of her frontal cortex will be smaller than average
as well as the size of her hippocampus, but there will be 40% less grey matter of the left
Pre-Frontal Cortex.
Official statistics judge that the bipolar illness plagues 1% to 4% of the population, but
they believe the truthful estimate is somewhere around 10% instead. According to the World
Health Organization, it is the sixth leading cause of disability and its as common as
diabetes. The diagnosis of this illness is hard, but at least treatment methods have
advanced. The former, most common treatment for this disorder used to be lithium, but we
have done away with the idea and patients are sometimes expected to take up to four or five
7/27/2019 Criminal Behavior is Often the Result of an Interaction Between Genetic and Environmental Factors
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drugs daily to manage their situation with unwanted side effects. Treatment for bipolar
disorder is a lifetime commitment and can involve psychotherapy (this is talk therapy),
anticonvulsant medication or both. While lithium was a good choice to control manic
episodes, medical officials soon concluded that they were not as effective in preventing and
controlling the depressive symptoms of the disorder. Additionally, depending on whether or
not Susie has Bipolar I disorder, or Bipolar II, the treatment will not advance in the same
way as the other. Antipsychotic medications are sometimes used to treat the symptoms too.
While my one bipolar associate suggests killing it with fire to be the most successful
treatment, research shows this is clearly not going to be the correct resolution to any
problem. All the traditional treatment such as anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and
psychotherapy. WebMD lists four types of therapy to focus on relieving the stress of these
symptoms. They are behavioral, cognitive, interpersonal, and social rhythm therapy. I
believe an approach from all angles is possibly the most successful chance of a solution in
Susies case. Thankfully, for the ginger bipolar patient treatments have come leaps and
bounds in the last ten years. As always, medications should be taken as instructed by the
doctor. The treatment plan may not always stay the same for Susie, but that job is best left
to the professionals. Each person who suffers from this disorder will be unique, but simply
treating it with medication is suggested since it is just like any other health problem. You
cant cure it with determination and willpower.
Lithium is easily the oldest and cheapest way to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder
and has about a 70% to 80% response in patients. (WebMD, 2013) It doesnt come without
its cost, however. While it may put aside the chance of suicide six fold, patients will need
their blood pressure, kidney, and thyroid tests monitored frequently. Other medications
include anticonvulsants such as Lamictal, and Topirimax. (This fact I find interesting
because I have taken both before, but not for bipolar disorder. Lamictal concluded with a
bad result, and I take Topirimax today for one of the other uses it is associated with: pain.
7/27/2019 Criminal Behavior is Often the Result of an Interaction Between Genetic and Environmental Factors
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More specifically, migraine pain.) From personal experience, Lamictal did not collide well
with my brain chemistry at all. What it is supposed to do is have an effect and boost the
depressive mood of an individual. It works for many other people, but not me. The
medication is supposed to stabilize the electrical activity in the brain and regulate the nerves
fire properly. For an electrical signal to fire in the brain, sodium needs to be built up in the
nerve cells. Lamictal works to inhibit this behavior in the brain cells. This is the basis for
most medication used to treat bipolar disorder.
With medications there come side effects. At times, the side effects can be more than
the result is worth. Stressful life events, substance abuse (such as the intake of alcohol) can
make this disorder much harder to treat. Lithium is known for the small window of
opportunity it has to be therapeutic in comparison to other mood-stabilizers, and can be very
toxic to some. Common side effects include tremors, weight gain, nausea, vomiting, and
other graphical unfortunate situations not worth divulging. It can create the problem of acne
and edema too. Medscape states that approximately 5% to 35% patients will develop
hypothyroidism while on lithium. This is an equally interesting, enlightening fact to me as I
have hypothyroidism. Any medication that gives someone a chance to develop this disease,
well, lets justsay its not worth the risk. It opens a whole new window of bad possibilities
that will last a lifetime. Long term effects are not much better for mood-stabilizers, however.
There have been renal chances reported as well as interstitial fibrosis, and tubular atrophy.
Higher dosages could have an even worse effect on an attempt to treat Susie, resulting in
neurological effects.
Either way you swing it, Susie will require lifelong treatment. At times she may be
hospitalized and feel suicidal, where she becomes disassociated with reality. If she chooses
to self-medicate and drink or use drugs, any medication or psychotherapy will be less
effective and she may return to her habits of noting the details of her life everywhere in her
room. Needless to say, her performance in school will be less than average and she will
7/27/2019 Criminal Behavior is Often the Result of an Interaction Between Genetic and Environmental Factors
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most likely be put on academic probation should she choose so. Susie may also have to find
help without her familys knowledge to avoid stigmas, as it seems they share little with their
daughter under such a tenuous relationship. In the end, hopefully her relatives could be
educated instead of ignorant to mental health. It is not simply a weakness one can wake
up one day and get over, like a bad break up. No, mental illness is as much a medical
problema chemical problem as any other more physical disease presents itself. Just
because you cant see the obvious effects sometimes like a physical problem doesnt mean
the issue doesnt exist or is any less valid.
You should also introduce the original case study into this paper. Be sure to look at thespecifics of the case and discuss how the biological and genetic influences of thatparticular case fit in with what you have researched on these aspects of the disorder.
Each Case Study Project should be in the form of a paper, rather than numberedquestions.It should be approximately 1,000 - 2,000 words, double-spaced, and in a 12pt font. All work should be in the students own words, with quotes used very sparingly.Be sure to answer all the questions within the body of the paper, with several referencesto support your conclusions, using proper APA format and citation.
http://www.bpchildren.org/files/Download/BrainAbnormalities.pdf
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes?page=2
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/mental-health-medications/what-medications-are-used-to-treat-bipolar-disorder.shtml
http://www.bpchildren.org/files/Download/BrainAbnormalities.pdfhttp://www.bpchildren.org/files/Download/BrainAbnormalities.pdfhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugshttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugshttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugshttp://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes?page=2http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes?page=2http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes?page=2http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugshttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugshttp://www.bpchildren.org/files/Download/BrainAbnormalities.pdf