Posted: January 8th, 2023

History and Medication of Bipolar Disorder

History and Medication of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a neurological condition characterized by extreme and rapid mood swings, energy, and activity levels that often impact the daily life of a person. It is one of the oldest known and well-documented illnesses in history. The condition affects both males and females, and symptoms often begin to manifest between the ages of 15 to 25. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the condition affects approximately 6 million adults in the United States, with more than 80% experiencing severe symptoms.

According to research, the first mentions of the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder date back to the second century. Aretaeus of Cappadocia (a Greek physician from a small city in ancient Turkey)  first recognized the symptoms of mania and depression and was convinced that they were closely related. However, Aretaeu’s findings would remain unnoticed until 1650 when Richard Burton, another influential scientist in the early days, wrote a book titled The Anatomy of Melancholia, which mainly focused on depression. Burton’s findings were and still used in the mental health field in understanding depression as a mental condition.

By 1684, different scientists began describing the symptoms using a single term such as manico-melancholicus by Bonet and affection melancholico-maniaca by Piquer-Arrifat in 1759. In 1854, Falret and Baillarger reiterated the concept giving it the name “folie circulaire,” which translates to “circular insanity” and established that there was a close link between depression and suicide. Falret findings led to the official term Bipolar disorder because he was able to separate symptoms of severe depression and heightened mood in a patient, terming the symptoms as Manic-Depressive psychosis. He also discovered that the condition seemed to be prevalent in certain families and therefore established that there was a genetic link associated with the disease.

By 1952, the condition had gained popularity, and vast researches were conducted analyzing any genetic link and cause of the disorder. Throughout the early 1960s, more people were diagnosed and institutionalized despite the refusal by Congress to recognize the disease as a legitimate condition. Luckily, in 1979, the National Association of Mental Health officially was formed, and the term Bipolar disorder officially replaced manic depressive as the official diagnostic term for the condition.

The human understanding of the bipolar disorder has gradually evolved over the years. Advancement in education and technology has helped in the search for treatment in the past couple of centuries.  Unfortunately, there is still no cure for bipolar disorder. Treatment options often incorporate both medications and therapy, which focus on stabilizing mood and also reducing the frequency and intensity of the symptoms.

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