Chronic illness:
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Introduction
Also known as manic disorder, the bipolar disease consists of drastic changes in the moods of a person. The mood changes of bipolar patients cannot be compared to normal mood changes of the average person. The reactions can range from extreme happiness to suicide contemplation. One of the problems that delay the treatment of the disease is the lack of proper diagnosis. Patients take long to find out their exact condition leading to near death experiences that usually damage the morale of the patient (Peacock, p. 124).
The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of chronic illnesses that people go through on a daily basis. The analysis is based on the interview conducted by Meredith sierra in the Today’s show. The contents deal with the bipolar disease which is classified under this category. The paper provides dimensions of the bipolar disease. It then covers the society’s misconceptions of the conditions. The paper finally provides a concluding paragraph on the way forward.
Psychosocial dimensions of the bipolar
Psychosocial dimensions can be described as the social conditions that a person experiences as a result of the diagnosis of a certain disease. The diagnosis of a chronic illness not only results in suffering of the patients. The patients have to deal with the outside world which is not familiar with the repercussions of the condition. The bipolar condition is one of the conditions that act as a threat to both the patient and the surrounding environment (Peacock, p. 128).
A person diagnosed with this condition is not in charge of their own emotions. This is caused by the imbalance of the brain cells that cause the brain to send messages to the wrong part of the body. These brain cells are responsible for the drastic change in the behavior of a patient. This results in a series of tantrums that endangers the life of both the patient and their neighbors (Eyers and Parker, p. 236).
Misconceptions of the disease
The fact that the bipolar decease is a behavioral condition makes the patient vulnerable to negative treatment by the society in general. As stated earlier, a patient is not in charge of their actions. The slight exposure to any negative stimulus results in the negative reaction of the patient. Some of the patients have on several occasions endangered the life of a peer or a family member through displaying a series of compulsive behavior. Common reports made concerning patients with these conditions are: throwing of dangerous items, causing tantrums, causing of fires loud outbursts and attempted suicide (Miklowitz, p. 235).
The level of ignorance is high in the society. People do not know the emotional load that comes with dealing with this condition. This causes the society to look down upon patients with this condition without putting themselves in their shoes. One of the misconceptions about the disease is that the disease cannot be controlled. Individuals who are not exposed to this condition assume that the life of a patient is over once they are diagnosed. This leads to discrimination of patients on several occasions leading them to become more vulnerable to their condition (Eyers and Parker, p. 231).
In conclusion, critical illnesses are a source of immense pain for patients and their family members. Apart from this, patients are forced to face an enormous amount of judgment from the society. This situation is not ideal in that this is the time a patient needs utmost support. For the society to reduce their ignorance of chronic illnesses, authorities need to educate individuals so that patients can receive the support they require to get better.
Eyers, Kerrie, and Gordon Parker. Bipolar Ii Disorder: Modelling, Measuring and Managing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print.
Miklowitz, David J. Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach. New York: Guilford Press, 2008. Print.
Peacock, Judith. Bipolar Disorder. Minnetonka, MN: Life Matters, 2000. Print.
