Bi-Polar disorder (BD)
From a biological perspective, Bi-Polar disorder (BD) can be conceptualized as a genetic disorder and research has identified that Bi-Polar Disorder has significant hereditary components from first-generation relatives of individuals with a Bi-Polar Disorder which gives them a greater chance of having a higher risk of developing the disorder themselves (Craddock & Sklar, 2013). And with this information, we can move into the Behaviorally Based Theory of Bi-Polar Disorder. The behaviorally based theory will focus on how individuals\’ learned behaviors and their environmental interactions can contribute to the manifestation and the continuation of bipolar disorder and according to behavioral theories, mood episodes in bipolar disorder can be triggered and maintained by reinforcement patterns. For example, we veterans can have a high risk of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to our environment and learned behaviors, our lifestyle as military personnel has a lot of Bipolar developmental triggers that can be associated with mania. We are constantly in a heightened energy to increase our productivity. We learn that risk-taking can be a positive reinforcement that can lead to being recognized or getting promoted early. Another example can be from our deployments where the stress level is extremely high, and we need to maintain the ability to stay awake for extended periods while also still being able to make quick decisions. With that said, some of this behavioral activation and avoidance can be key components in this framework, where decreased engagement in rewarding activities can lead to depressive symptoms, and excessive engagement in risky behaviors can lead to manic episodes (Leahy, 2007).
As a veteran and a counselor, I believe veterans might recognize the link between their military life and mood episodes which can lead towards focusing on their behavior and environment management. By combining both views, we can help clients understand the intertwining of genetics and behavior in their condition and guide them toward a more tailored treatment plan. Although the biological base will focus on medication and the behaviorally based will focus on learned behaviors and environmental triggers and helping clients manage mood episodes by changing their behavior patterns, I would not treat both differently. My reason is that by combining them both I can create a tailored treatment plan that will address both the biological and behavioral aspects of the disorder for a more effective care and well-being of my client.
References
Craddock, N., & Sklar, P. (2013). Genetics of bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1654-1662.
Leahy, R. L. (2007). Bipolar disorder: Causes, contexts, and treatments. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(5), 417-424.
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