Effects of Bipolar Disorder on Cognition

This essay explores the effects of bipolar disorder on cognition, including language and attention problems, memory and problem-solving difficulties, and impaired social cognition. It emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Psychology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Psychology refers to study of mind and behaviour as it is a multifaceted disciple. It involves the
criterion of analysing relevant sub-fields such as human development, sports, health, clinical,
social behaviour and cognitive processes (Samalin and et. al., 2017). However, the psychological
disorders affect the entire health condition which is required to be improved effectively. This
project will focus on bipolar disorder and its impact on mental state of an individual. It will also
include effects of bipolar disorders and its cognitive impact on patient.
MAIN BODY
What effects does bipolar disorder have on cognition? Are people with bipolar disorder
cognitively impaired? Critically evaluate the literature and, based on research evidence,
present a strong argument that justifies your conclusions.
Bipolar disorder can be defined as a kind of mental problem that can be marked by extreme
shifts in mood. It includes the mood condition of mania and episodes if depression due it which it
is also known as bipolar disease or manic depression. Basically, it has been analysed that bipolar
disorder has mainly three symptoms including mania, hypomania and depression. It consist the
condition when an individual feeling excited, euphoric, impulsive and full of energy. Meanwhile,
some of people experience manic episodes then they can involve in spending sprees, unprotected
sex and drug use. The condition of hypomania is usually linked with bipolar II disorder which is
quite similar to mania and hypomania that may not encourage any kind of trouble. It is observed
that bipolar disorder results into cognitive impairments as it develop episodes of depressions. It
includes several symptoms like hopelessness, loss of energy, lack of interest in activities they
once enjoyed, periods of too little or too much sleep, suicidal thoughts and deep sadness.
The bipolar disorder is responsible to develop cognitive impairments which consists number of
difficulties faced by people. It includes emotional problems, emotional regulation issues, and
other relevant impulsivity within bipolar disorder is observed (Baandrup, Fagerlund and
Glenthoj, 2017). Meanwhile, it includes the manic episodes which are responsible for impairing
cognitive functions. It is observed that people experience problems in verbal and working
memory which impact negatively on daily routine of life. It consist difficulty of reasoning
function and problem solving etc. However, it has been evaluated that people face several
problem including trouble in remembering, learning new things, concentration, and making
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decisions. The cognitive impairments related to bipolar disorder has range from mild to severe
condition. There are number of cognitive impairments which are observed in bipolar disorder
patient, they are given here.
Language and attention problem occurs due to bipolar disorder due to episodes of depression
and lack of interest. It includes condition of an individual having insufficient skills to verbally
communicate in effective manner. They are not able to concentrate on specific an aspect which is
an issue to remain attentive in specific situation. However, it has been analysed that language
problem occurs due to which patient are not able to communicate verbally in proper manner. The
concentration ability reduced due to which attention skills decreased that develop cognitive
impairments for an individual (Coetzer, 2018).
Memory and problem solving includes the common skill which anybody needs to spend their
daily life in proper manner. Bipolar disorder is responsible to develop lack of interest and
confusing condition of an individual due to which memory impairments occurs which create
severe issues at their work place or studies. People are not able to remember anything which
impact negatively on their entire life. Meanwhile, it is observed that people are not capable to
understand specific situation effectively as they face difficulty in order to solve particular
problems. It is necessary to have ability to analyse specific condition according to which
effective decision can be made for problem solving which is impaired due to bipolar disorder.
Facial recognition and social cognition includes the ability to identify the known people with
memory. Bipolar disorder is responsible to develop problem of memory reduction due to which
patient face difficulty in facial recognition. However, it includes the fact that social recognition is
also difficult because of losing memory (Malhi and et. al., 2016). In addition to this, the bipolar
disorder to make memory weak which impact negatively on cognitive functions of recognition
and social cognition. Bipolar disorder create problem of reducing ability of an individual to
think, process, store and use information in various kinds of social situations. The social
cognition involves several aspects such as recognise difference between self & others, emotional
recognition of others, collaboration, sharing episodic memory, theory of mind, perspective taking
and empathy. These skills get disrupted because of occurring bipolar disorder among people.
Moreover cognitive impairment occurs which develop severe effects in life of a person.
On the other hand, the cognitive impairments consists several factors such as confusion, poor
motor coordination, loss of short terms or long term memory, identity confusion and impaired
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judgement. It includes the development of several problems like impaired decision making,
inability of problem solving, disrupted physical working, ineffective performance and many
more. It has been analysed that bipolar disorder develops a condition in which impact negatively
on mental as well as physical functioning of the human body. It impact to reduce necessary
cognitive skills including sustained attention, response inhibition, speed of information
processing, cognitive flexibility & control, multiple simultaneous attention, category information
and pattern recognition. It is necessary to make diagnosis earlier and intake proper treatment
because bipolar disorder attacks the health of an individual severely. It includes the fact that
cognitive impairments are required to be measured earlier and treated effectively to avoid severe
symptoms (Levin and et. al., 2016). However, bipolar disorder develops cognitive impairment
which impact normal physical and mental capabilities of an individual due to which they affect
patients’ life severely. Moreover, symptoms of bipolar disorder including mania ad depression
episodes create cognitive difficulties for an individual which affect their skill of decision making,
motor coordination, problem solving language issue etc.
The bipolar disorder results into impaired cognitive ability facilitating impaired social interaction
which may have number of reasons behind. It includes possible reasons including biochemical
imbalances, disturbed thought processes and excessive hyperactivity and agitation. Meanwhile, it
is necessary for people to immediately contact with registered physicians or specialist to consult
about their problem of bipolar disorder. It includes diagnosing the cause and specific type of
disorder according to which doctor can treat the health problem effectively. The nursing
intervention includes several aspects which are mentioned here. Firstly, it includes making
patient join with other patient to get involved in non-stimulating activities like drawing, board
games etc. if they are not manic. Secondly, it is necessary to provide atmosphere having
minimum stimuli including soft music, dim light, quiet etc. Thirdly, it is required to prefer
solitary activities needs less attention that helps to reduce tension in constructive way.
The ration of bipolar disorder take place between male and female is equal. It includes several
symptoms which are observed among women to analyse cognitive impairments related to bipolar
disorder. Initially, it includes the fact that bipolar disorder diagnosed later in their lives in their
age of 20 to 30 years and they have milder episodes of mania. Meanwhile, it includes their
experience of more depressive episodes as compared to manic episodes. Females can have four
or more maniac episodes as well as depression in a year which is known as rapid cycling. It is
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observed that women can face several issues including thyroid disease, obesity, anxiety and
migraines. However, it has been evaluated that women have higher lifetime risk of alcohol use
disorder. Bipolar disorder is known to be a mental health problem which takes place often due to
hormonal changes related to menopause.
In contrary to this, men shows several symptoms related bipolar disorders such as severe
episodes of specially manic episodes, they have substance abuse issues, act out during manic
episodes and it can be diagnosed earlier in life. However, it has been analysed that male suffering
from bipolar disorder are less likely as compared to females to seek medical care on their own.
Meanwhile, it has been identified that there are different types of disorder occurs among people
which are explained here. Initially, the bipolar I can be described as condition indicates at least
single maniac episode and hypomanic or major depressions symptoms take place (Zyto and et.
al., 2016). It is observed in men and women in equal ratio that occurs among people generally.
Secondly, the Bipolar II includes the condition of experiencing major depressive episodes which
lasts at least two weeks. It involves the symptoms of at least one hypomanic episode that lasts for
about the duration of four days. It consist the fact that Bipolar II is mostly take place among
women. Thirdly, the cyclothymia includes symptoms of episodes hypomania and depressions.
Mostly people are suffered with this kind of bipolar disorder which results into cognitive
impairments.
CONCLUSION
From the above essay, it has been concluded that bipolar disorder mainly has symptoms of
depressive episodes and mania which create cognitive impairments. It includes the decline in
cognitive abilities. Like language & attention, problem solving, motor coordination and many
more. However, it is necessary for people to immediately consult with doctor to take proper
treatment by observing earlier symptoms to avoid severe condition and become wellbeing.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Samalin, L. & et. al. (2017). Residual depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance and perceived
cognitive impairment as determinants of functioning in patients with bipolar disorder. Journal of
affective disorders, 210, 280-286.
Baandrup, L., Fagerlund, B., & Glenthoj, B. (2017). Neurocognitive performance, subjective
well-being, and psychosocial functioning after benzodiazepine withdrawal in patients with
schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: a randomized clinical trial of add-on melatonin versus
placebo. European archives of psychiatry and clinical neuroscience, 267(2), 163-171.
Coetzer, R. (2018). Anxiety and mood disorders following traumatic brain injury: Clinical
assessment and psychotherapy. Routledge.
Malhi, G. S. & et. al. (2016). The Lithium Battery: assessing the neurocognitive profile of
lithium in bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorders, 18(2), 102-115.
Levin, J. B. & et. al. (2016). Medication adherence in patients with bipolar disorder: a
comprehensive review. CNS drugs, 30(9), 819-835.
Zyto, S. & et. al. (2016). A pilot study of a combined group and individual functional
remediation program for patients with bipolar I disorder. Journal of affective disorders, 194, 9-
15.
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