ASSIGNMENT 2: Written assignment Assignment 2 enables students to demonstrate understanding of concepts and consumer factors in mental health. Mental illness can have a significant impact on a...

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT        2
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT
Table of contents
Introduction    3
Aetiology and Pathophysiology    4
Risk factors, signs and symptoms utilising contemporary peer reviewed literature    5
Psychosocial Impact    7
Role of Mental Health Nurses    8
Conclusion    9
References    12
Introduction
    Mental illness is a widespread and complex phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. Mental illness can have a significant impact on the individual, their family, and the community. The chosen movie, "Silver Linings Playbook," is a compelling portrayal of the life of Pat Solitano, who suffers from Bipolar Affective Disorder. This essay will use Pat Solitano as a case study to explore the mental illness experienced by him and the impact it has on the individual/consumer and their family.
    A serious mental condition called bipolar disorder affects 1% to 2% of people globally (Bauer et al., 2020). Extreme mood fluctuations that alternate between manic and depressive episodes define the condition. The disease may significantly affect a person's quality of life, as well as that of their family and the community. This essay's goal is to present a thorough examination of bipolar affective disorder, utilizing recent peer-reviewed research to bolster the argument. The first part of the article will examine the pathophysiology and aetiology of bipolar illness. This section will look at the neurotransmitter imbalances that cause manic and depressive episodes as well as the genetic, environmental, and neurological variables that contribute to the development of bipolar disorder.
    The psychosocial effects of bipolar disease on the person, family, and community will be covered in more detail in the second portion of the article. This part will go through the financial hardships, higher risk of suicide, and social and vocational impairment brought on by the disease that is connected with bipolar disorder. The topic of carer stress and mental suffering endured by family members of people with bipolar illness will also be discussed. The function of mental health nurses in delivering non-pharmacological interventions in mental health treatment will be identified and discussed in the third half of the article. The usefulness of psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family-focused treatment in easing symptoms and enhancing outcomes in bipolar disorder will be examined in this section. The essay will review the main ideas covered and emphasise the need of increasing knowledge and understanding of bipolar illness in order to lessen stigma and enhance outcomes for those who are impacted by this disease. The article will give readers a thorough grasp of Bipolar Affective Disorder and how it affects people as individuals, families, and members of the community, with an emphasis on the critical role that mental health nurses play in its treatment.
Aetiology and Pathophysiology
    Manic-depressive sickness, commonly referred to as bipolar affective disorder, is a severe mental condition marked by recurring bouts of mania and sadness (Colom et al., 2019). Bipolar disorder is a complex and multivariate aetiology that includes genetic, environmental, and neurological components. The development of bipolar illness is largely influenced by genetic factors, with family and twin studies demonstrating that monozygotic twins had a greater concordance rate than dizygotic twins (Lim et al., 2021). Dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin neurotransmitter systems, which are crucial for controlling mood and behaviour, can be affected by genetic factors.
    Among those who are predisposed, environmental variables including drug addiction, sleep difficulties, and stressful life events can potentially cause the emergence of bipolar disease (Malhi et al., 2020). The symptoms of mania and depression are caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as elevated levels of dopamine and norepinephrine and lowered levels of serotonin (Malhi et al., 2020). Elevated, expansive, or angry moods, less need for sleep, more energy, impulsivity, and grandiosity are traits of manic episodes. Depressive episodes, on the other hand, are marked by a lingering sense of melancholy, despair, and lack of interest or enjoyment in activities. Fatigue, altered appetite, and suicidal or homicidal thoughts are other symptoms of depressive episodes.
    Bipolar disorder's pathogenesis includes disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the circadian rhythm (Rosa & Franco, 2019). The circadian rhythm controls the sleep-wake cycle, and disruptions to this pattern can result in unstable mood. The HPA axis controls how the body responds to stress, and anomalies in this axis can cause the stress response to be dysregulated and cause mood problems. In conclusion, there are many different elements that contribute to the complicated aetiology and pathophysiology of bipolar disease. The development of bipolar disorder is influenced by genetic, environmental, and neurological variables. Instability in mood is caused by dysregulation of neurotransmitters, circadian rhythm, and the HPA axis, which results in the recognisable signs of mania and depression.
Risk factors, signs and symptoms utilising contemporary peer reviewed literature
    A chronic and recurrent mood disorder called bipolar affective disorder (BPD) is characterised by periods of mania, hypomania, and depression. BPD is thought to be the result of a confluence of...