Personality and Mood Disorders Q 8
Nurse Nadine is assessing James who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The nurse would expect to find a history of:
A. A depressive episode followed by prolonged sadness.
B. A series of depressive episodes that recur periodically.
C. Symptoms of mania that may or may not be followed by depression.
D. Symptoms of mania that include delusional thoughts.
Correct Answer: C. Symptoms of mania that may or may not be followed by depression.
The definition of bipolar disorder is a mood disturbance in which the symptoms of mania have occurred at least one time. None of the other options indicate a correct understanding of bipolar disorder. The bipolar affective disorder is a chronic and complex disorder of mood that is characterized by a combination of manic (bipolar mania), hypomanic and depressive (bipolar depression) episodes, with substantial subsyndromal symptoms that commonly present between major mood episodes.
Option A: Depression may or may not occur as a separate episode in bipolar disorder. Bipolar 2 disorder is also known as recurrent major depression with hypomania. The DSM V criteria for the diagnosis of bipolar 2 disorder is one or more major depressive episodes and at least one episode of hypomania. If mania is present, then the diagnosis is bipolar 1 disorder.
Option B: Bipolar 1 disorder has been frequently associated with serious medical and psychiatric comorbidity, early mortality, high levels of functional disability and compromised quality of life. The necessary feature of bipolar 1 disorder involves the occurrence of at least one lifetime manic episode, although depressive episodes are common.
Option D: According to the DSM V, the only requirement for the diagnosis of bipolar 1 disorder is at least one lifetime episode of mania. Depression may or may not be present. Elevated mood with unusually bright affect in mania. The patient may be euphoric or irritable and may have a labile mood during mania. Depressed mood, limited or flat affect in depression.