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Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition characterized by mild, moderate to severe disturbances in mood. People suffering from bipolar disorder go through episodes of mania (severe highs), hypomania (mild highs) and depression (mild to debilitating lows) that they cannot control.
Bipolar disorder or Manic-Depressive Illness: “…a disorder of mood in which there are severe mood swings so that a depressed mood alternates in cycles with an elated or irritable state called mania.”
“a severe, although intermittent illness characterized by episodes of depression alternation with excessive euphoria, increased energy, and poor judgment….” (Andreasen “Creativity…1289).”…what one thinks of as ‘classic’ manic-depressive illness…the most severe form of of affective illness…” (Jamison Touched with…14).
In the case of bipolar I disorder, known as manic depression, the disease is two sided, causing patients to descend at times into dark caverns of major depression and at other times to soar on the hurricane winds of mania—a disruptive speed-up mood disorder that often veers into delusions and psychosis. Both elements of the illness usually bring devastation.
“characterized by milder periods of euphoria that alternate with periods of despondency and depression, also produces an instability of mood that many find painful and that usually requires somatic treatment” (Andreason “Creativity…” 1289) “…the presence or history of less severe manic episodes, as well as the existence or history of less severe manic episodes…” (Jamison Touched with…14).
Bipolar II disorder, which combines major depression with hypomania, the milder form of mania, has other effects. Hypomania is a heightened ebullient mood characterized by indefatigable physical energy, a flood of ideas, and—more often than is usually credited—profound accomplishment. It is not a psychotic state. Although it is true that hypomanic persons are often irritating to be around and may use poor judgment, the can also be creative and productive in business, politics, the arts, and indeed any field they choose to enter. They are often the movers and shakers of the world. In many ways, the hypomanic phase of bipolar II disorder is of benefit to the patient and often to the society as well.
Dr. Ronald R. Fieve was a pioneering American psychiatrist who helped introduce and advance the systematic study of lithium for the treatment of manic-depressive illness (now known as bipolar disorder).
In the late 1950s and 1960s, at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, he conducted some of the first controlled clinical research on lithium in American psychiatry and established the first lithium clinic in North America.
Dr. Ronald R. Fieve was a pioneering American psychiatrist who helped introduce and advance the systematic study of lithium carbonate for the treatment of manic-depressive illness (now known as bipolar disorder) in the United States. In the late 1950s and 1960s, at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, he conducted some of the first controlled clinical research on lithium in American psychiatry and established the first lithium clinic in North America. His work played a major role in bringing lithium into mainstream psychiatric practice.
Through his research and advocacy, lithium carbonate became recognized as one of the most effective mood-stabilizing treatments for bipolar disorder, particularly for the control of mania and the prevention of mood episode relapse. While lithium is a naturally occurring element, Dr. Fieve emphasized its use as a carefully monitored medical treatment, with benefits that often outweighed its risks when properly prescribed and supervised.
Dr. Fieve also explored additional potential applications of lithium, including its long-term protective effects and possible benefits in neurological and cardiovascular health, contributing to ongoing scientific discussion about its broader therapeutic properties.
He authored several influential and widely read books that helped educate both professionals and the public about bipolar disorder and its treatment, demonstrating how appropriate lithium therapy could dramatically stabilize mood and help many patients return to productive, balanced lives, sometimes within a relatively short period of time.
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