Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder was previously known as manic depression as it causes moods to shift between mania and depression. It may also be classified as a biological brain disorder causing severe fluctuations in mood, energy, thinking and behaviour. This disorder results in frequent anxiety and low frustration level in the young people (CABF 2007). Depression, in this situation, means a situation where you feel very low while mania would refer to a situation where you feel very high (NHS 2009). Sometimes, symptoms of mania and depression can also occur simultaneously (CABF 2007). These episodes can last for several weeks or longer. â€Å"The high and low phases of the illness are often so extreme that they interfere with everyday life† (NHS 2009). In bipolar disorder, the depression phase often comes first. One can be diagnosed with clinical depression before having a manic episode. The manic episodes usually take place after some time, after which the diagnosis might change. These e pisodes of depression may lead to overwhelming feelings of worthlessness, which often lead to thoughts of suicide. The manic phase may make you feel very creative and view mania as a positive experience. This is the time when you may also have symptoms of psychosis. During this phase you may feel very happy and have lots of ambitions, plans and ideas. Lack of sleep and appetite are other also common characteristics of bipolar disorder (NHS 2009). â€Å"People with bipolar disorder fluctuate between intense depression and mania, interspersed by periods of relative calm† (Macnair 2008). The causes of bipolar disorder aren’t completely known, but are often hereditary. A cluster of factors both genetic and environmental, such as personal traumas or stress, can highly influence systems. The initial manic or depressive episodes of bipolar disorder usually take place early in the teenage years or early adulthood (Macnair 2008) At least half of all cases start before age 25 (K essler et al., 2005). The symptoms of the disorder can be fairly subtle and may result in being overlooked or misdiagnosed. This could result in unnecessary suffering while on the other hand, with proper treatment and support; a fulfilling life can be lived (Macnair 2008). In severe forms of mania, there are chances of a person becoming psychotic, with delusions. There is a conflict in perception and reality and there may be hallucinations and delusional beliefs about being persecuted. In some of the worst cases, people in mania become unintelligible and neglect themselves. The symptoms have varying patterns, frequencies and order. While in some case, where symptoms of mania are followed by symptoms of depression in a predictable pattern, some people have mixed symptoms – it’s possible to have many of the symptoms of mania and also suffer from severely depressive thoughts (Bhugra and Flick, 2005). Although there’s no cure for bipolar disorder, many people find t hat an understanding of their illness and what triggers episodes can help them live a relatively normal life Macnair 2008). Patients could monitor their moods and thoughts and ask someone they trust to help them cope with the disorder. But, sometimes some people have extreme mood swings that can’t be managed by monitoring alone. There may be a need for antidepressants, antipsychotic medication, drug lithium, which seem to stabilise mood swings. High level of lithium in blood can be poisonous while too little will have no effect. So, its important to be seen regularly by the mental health team and have the blood levels checked (Smith et al., 2009).

'In Defense of Food An Eater's Manifesto' By Michael Pollan Essay

'In Defense of Food An Eater's Manifesto' By Michael Pollan - Essay Example We are weak in a sense that we need to consult doctors and therapist to know what we must eat and follow the logo that processed food containers hold. We go by mob psychology without giving any judgment to what actually is the truth. Other animals and organisms do not have such requirements, they are capable of making a decision what they should eat and they eat what nature has offered them. Our story is different as we need a variety of different things to eat to stay fit and healthy. The author has thrown light upon the biased nature of human beings regarding what to eat, how much to eat and what sequence to follow. We have set certain parameters regarding with what a particular food item will go. This tendency came in picture because of a lot of variety has captured the market with guiding and misguiding food-labeling rules. Genetically modified food and all the variety of processed food has taken us away from our roots. What we are eating today is totally different from what our ancestors have eaten and most probably what our mothers have eaten. Food comes with various logos some are stating that they may protect against cancer but actually it has no such role. Some of the food items presented in the market are the result of vague kind of research that has been carried out in the market, for e.g. the genetically modified food are gaining much prominence these days. "Genetically Engineered" food is grown, manufactured, created, developed or changed by utilizing the techniques that brings changes in molecular or cell biology of an organism. This technique cannot be exploited in nature or under natural conditions. These techniques are mostly based on recombinant DNA technology, cell fusion, micro- and macroencapsulation, gene deletion or duplication, introduction of any gene from other organism through microinjection or by the process of transgenesis where the desired foreign gene is inserted in the early sates of development and also the techniques based on altering the position of the genes. The process does not include propagation, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in vitro fertilization and tissue culture method (Grubesic, 2005). These marketed food products are highly advertised in the TV, newspapers and magazines with big claims but according to the author the best food is what our grandmothers have eaten and recommends us. In the present era, in order to make maximum gains people are adopting unfair means to market the products by decorating them through packaging and variety of other methods to attract women and children. These processed food have no true food value and incorporate food additives for manufacturing, stuffing or in packaging, dispensation, preparing, treating, and packaging, food additives may also be used when long distance transporting is to be done or when the food item is to be kept for long duration. Now-a-days radiations are given to ensure the safety of food from chemicals. The food is labeled with the name of the company or firm or by any legal or commercial entity. If the research has provided us with the processed food items then research has also provided us the information about the repercussions of eating such products. The author has therefore recommended that if we eat modified food which claims to be rich in nutrition and possess

Introduction to Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Introduction to Business - Assignment Example It aims to increase and regulate trade between the countries through minimizing and eliminating tariffs and duties on products and services. (Foundation) European Union is an economic and political jointure that consists of 27 of European countries. Established in 1993, it aims to establish a single market through a standardized set of laws that all member countries have to adhere to. The laws mainly come under the domain of trade, fisheries, agriculture and regional development. Ethics refers to code of principles and values that direct a person’s actions in his personal or business life. It, basically, means knowing the difference between what is right and what is wrong and then choosing the right way to do things. Social responsibility refers to an ethical ideology that says that any individual or organization has an obligation to the society. Any individual, company, or country should act in a way that inflicts the least amount of harm or damage to its environment and must take steps that are beneficial to the society as a whole. The main purpose of any business is to maximize gains and minimize losses. In a non-profit-organization, however, these gains are not monetary. Nonetheless, the sole purpose of the existence of any business is to make profits. Therefore, this should be given highest priority. However, it is also the firm’s responsibility to abide by the particular state’s rules and regulations, standard, and moral obligations as well. Failure to do so, in the long run, affects the very purpose of the firm i.e. making profits. Therefore, the firm should not only be focused on making profits and should adapt its offerings and procedures to the regulations and other moral obligations even if that translates into some additional costs and compromise on the profits. The creditors – all lenders such as banks, shareholders, investors, etc. must be paid back or