As Psychology Locus of Control Essay Example for Free

As Psychology Locus of Control Essay Discuss the role of locus of control on independent behaviour. (12 marks) Locus of control refers to a person’s perception of personal control over their own behaviour. There are two types of locus of control; internal and external. Internal locus of control occurs when individuals feel they are in control of their behaviour and are responsible for their actions. External locus of control occurs when individuals feel their behaviour is controlled by external forces (e. g. luck or fate) and they are not responsible for their own actions. Those with internal locus of control are more likely to show independent behaviour and resist the pressures to conform or obey whereas those with external locus of control are more likely to obey and conform. High internals do not rely on the opinions of others. They are better able to resist coercion and are more achievement-orientated. High internal locus of control has been linked to leadership and individuals with high internal locus of control are more likely to become entrepreneurs. Anderson and Schneier found that group members possessing an internal locus of control were more likely to emerge as leaders in their groups. This may be because individuals who take responsibility for their own actions feel that they can cause changes in their environment, including the behaviour of those around them. There is lots of research evidence to support locus of control. Oliner and Oliner found that people who had gone against the majority and protected the Jews from the Nazis tended to score higher on measures of internal locus of control. This means they believed they had influence over events in their life including success and failures. It may be this that made them independent. Also, Elms and Milgram found that the people that were disobedient in Milgram’s study of obedience shows higher internal locus of control and social responsibility. Avtigis did a meta-analysis of studies investigating the relationship between locus of control and conformity and found high scores of external locus of control were more likely to conform than those with a low score. The average correlation between locus of control and conformity was 0. 37. This suggests that there are higher rates of conformity shown in external locus of control when compared to internal locus of control. There are a number of problems with using a meta-analysis. The studies are secondary data that the researcher has compiled. This means the study could suffer from researcher bias as they may have only found studies that supported their view. Also, as the study is correlational, cause and effect cannot be established. It does not comment on why there is a link or which factors were most important it only states that there is a relationship between the two variables. However, as the data is secondary data there are no ethical issues linked to the use of a meta-analysis to study the patterns between locus of control and conformity. On the other hand, Williams and Warchal gave 30 students a range of conformity tasks based on Asch’s study and assessed them using the Rotter’s locus of control scale. They found that those who conformed were the least assertive but did not score differently on the locus of control scale. This suggests that assertion may be more important in conformity than locus of control. There are also research studies that suggest that independent behaviour can be fostered or encouraged through modelling. Nemeth and Chiles found that those who had been exposed to a minority (four participants, one confederate) who gave a different answer were more likely to stand their ground and defy the majority in the second part of the experiment when they became a minority (four confederates, one participant). This study implies that exposure to a model of independent behaviour can influence the individual’s ability to stand firm against the majority and resist the group pressure to conform. However, there are problems with research into locus of control. Many of the studies that support locus of control are carried out in laboratories. This means they lack ecological validity and the results may not be applicable to real life situations. Also, demand characteristics may be present. The participant may have guessed the aim of the experiment and acted accordingly to fit the results they assume the researcher wanted. Also, it is difficult to measure personality. The use of questionnaires could mean that the studies suffer from social desirability bias as people may have altered their answers to appear more normal or to fit with what they assume the researcher wanted. Lastly, situational factors may be more important as personality is not always consistent. McGuire found that conforming behaviour differed across situations. If conformists and independents are not consistent in their behaviour it is hard to conclude that it is their personality that solely affects their choice whether or not to conform. Situational factors may influence behaviour too as they tend to conform in certain situations but not in others.

Greed and Power…The Death of a Society Essay -- Literary Analysis, Jon

In his satiric essay, A Modest Proposal, Jonathan Swift proposes eating children in order to highlight the fact that other plausible measures for fixing Ireland’s economic problems are being ignored. Swift implies that a nation’s most significant problems stem from the greed of the wealthy. He asserts this through his use of diction, satire, and ethos. Diction is used by the author in order to imply that those who are financially blessed generate a nation’s biggest problems. Swift’s choice of formal yet derogatory diction projects his own perspective on how the rich view the poor. He uses the word â€Å"scheme† to describe his plan although he criticizes â€Å"several schemes of other projectors† (Swift 4). This is one of the first clues that helps to indicate that even Swift dislikes his idea, one aggressively bolstered by the rich who have money to gain. Words like â€Å"sacrificing†¦innocent† and â€Å"crucified† depict a savage death, usually in return for something that will benefit the greater good like that of Christ or a soldier dying when returning to a bombed area to save a small child (5 and 18). However, in this case, rather than sacrificing themselves, Swift explains that the rich will unfeelingly allow the poor to suffer unmentionable deaths in order for the rich to make enough profit to account for the â€Å"expensiveness of [their] idleness (28).† His choice of belittling diction through the words â€Å"savages† and â€Å"reserved for breed† points out the condescending way in which those of the upper class view the masses (10). These words show them as little more than uncivilized animals to be sold at the market, which through his proposal, would become a reality. Swift’s choice in diction helps to emphasize the widening schism between the rich a... ...the country of Cavan† within his essay (18 and 6). Swift’s use of ethos assures the reader that there are people other than him who concur with his ideas. Ethos helps to give readers a sense of security, a â€Å"Hey, if he likes it, it must be good† type of mentality. However, when scrutinized, one will notice that all those Swift cites are presumably wealthy people of the upper class. The essay contains no ethos from those of the lower class. Thus in effect Swift’s use of ethos also slyly places blame and reproach on the greed of the wealthy while also increasing the validity of his argument. Swift’s use of diction, satire, and ethos asserts that the gluttony from the wealthy procures major problems for a nation. Although a satire was needed for the people of old Ireland to realize this, for the people of the modern world, such knowledge came with little persuasion.

Bipolar Disorder

Some people are more prone to either mania or depression, while others alternate equally between the two types of episodes. Some have frequent mood disruptions, while others experience only a few over a lifetime. There are four types of mood occurrences in bipolar disorder: mania, hypomania, depression, and mixed episodes. Each type of bipolar disorder mood episode has a unique set of symptoms. Mania Symptoms In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, feelings of heightened energy, creativity, and euphoria are common. People experiencing a manic episode often talk a recklessly and profligately, scarcely sleep, and are hyperactive.They may also feel like they're omnipotent, impregnable, or destined for prominence. Although mania inaugurates with delightful sensations, it has a tendency to spiral out of control. People often Denave uncontrollaDly aurlng a manic eplsoae: gamDllng away savlngs, engaging In inappropriate sexual activity, or making irrational business investments, for example . They may also become angry, irritable, and aggressive†picking fights, lashing out when others don't go along with their plans, and blaming anyone who criticizes their behavior.Some even become delusional or start hearing voices. Depression Symptoms In the past, bipolar depression was amalgamated in with regular depression. But a mounting reservoir of research suggests that there are significant differences between the two, particularly when it comes to recommended treatments. Most people with bipolar depression are not helped by antidepressants. In fact, there is a risk that antidepressants can make bipolar disorder worse†triggering mania or hypomania, causing rapid cycling between mood states, or interfering with other mood stabilizing drugs.Despite many similarities, certain symptoms are more common in bipolar depression than in regular depression. For example, bipolar epression is more likely to involve irritability, guilt, unpredictable mood swings, and feelings of restlessness. People with bipolar depression also tend to move and speak slowly, sleep a lot, and gain weight. In addition, they are more likely to develop psychotic depression†a condition in which theyVe lost contact with reality†and to experience major disability in work and social functioning.TYPES There are several types of bipolar disorder; all involve episodes of depression and mania to a degree. They include bipolar l, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, mixed bipolar, and rapid-cycling bipolar disorder. Bipolar I Raging bipolar (l) is characterized by at least one full-blown manic episode lasting at least one week or any duration if hospitalization is required. This may include inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, being more loquacious than usual, flight of ideas, distractibility, an increase in goal-oriented activity, and excessive involvement in hazardous activities.The symptoms are severe enough to disrupt the patient's ability to work and socialize, and may require hospitalization to prevent harm to themselves or others. The patient may lose touch with reality to the point of being psychotic. The other option for raging bipolar is at least one â€Å"mixed† episode on the part of the patient. The DSM-IV is uncharacteristically vague as to what constitutes mixed, an accurate reflection of the confusion within the psychiatric profession. More tellingly, a mixed episode is almost impossible to explain to the public. One is literally â€Å"up† and â€Å"down† at the same time.Bipolar II Swinging bipolar (II) presumes at least one major depressive episode, plus at least one hypomanic episode over at least four days. The same characteristics as mania are evident, with the disturbance of mood observable by others; but, the episode is ot enough to disrupt normal functioning or necessitate hospitalization and there are no psychotic features. Those in a state of hypomania are typically the life of the party, the salesperson of the month and more often than not the best-selling author or Fortune 500 mover and shaker, which is why so many refuse to seek treatment.But the same condition can also turn on its victim, resulting in bad decision-making, social embarrassments, wrecked relationships and projects left unfinished. Rapid Cycling DSM-IV defines rapid cycling as the occurrence of at least 4 major depressive, manic, ypomanlc, or mlxea eplsoaes aurlng tne prevlous year In a patient wltn a Olagnosls of BP I or BP II. These episodes must be demarcated either by a partial or full remission of at least 2 months' duration or by a switch to an episode of opposite polarity.Duration criteria for episodes are not waived, which means that each major depressive episode must last at least 2 weeks, each manic or mixed episode must last at least 1 week, and each hypomanic episode must last at least 4 days. Mixed Bipolar A mixed episode is not a disorder itself, but rather is a description of a component of a specific type of bipolar disorder. A mixed episode is defined by meeting the diagnostic criteria for both a manic episode as well as a major depressive episode nearly every day for at least a full week.Like most mental disorders, a mixed episode must be severe enough to cause distress or impairment in social, occupational, education or other important functioning and is not better accounted for by the physiological effects of substance use, or abuse, or a general medical condition. Cyclothymia Cyclothymia is a chronic bipolar disorder consisting of short periods of mild depression and short periods of hypomania, lasting a few days to a few weeks, eparated by short periods of normal mood.Individuals with cyclothymia are never liberated of symptoms of either depression or hypomania for more than two months at a time. In 1980 the classification of cyclothymia was changed in the DSM-IV from Personality Disorder to Mood Disorder. Though the above description portrays cycl othymia as a mild disorder, it is so only relative to the severity of Bipolar I and Bipolar II disorders. Cyclothymia can completely disrupt the life of an individual and create personal chaos. In their continual oscillation of mood, they never know from ne day to the next what to expect.TREATMENTS Bipolar disorder is being better understood each day. There is also ongoing research into its treatment. But successfully treating bipolar disorder can involve several medication trials, and it can take years to achieve remission. Even if remission is attained, recurrence is the rule † not the exception. It's not uncommon for all first- line treatments to be exhausted. Common Treatments Lithium and the anticonvulsants lamotrigine and valproate are treatments for bipolar depression. They are mood stabilizers. For severely ill patients, lithium and an ntidepressant are sometimes used.A mood-stabilizing medication works on improving social interactions, mood, and behavior and is recomm ended for both treatment and prevention of bipolar mood states that swing from the lows of depression to the highs of hypomania or mania. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), lithium, lamotrigine, valproate, carbamazepine, and most atypical antipsychotic medications are approved by the FDA for treating one, or more, phases of bipolar disorder. Treatment Resistance There is no consensus among clinicians and researchers on one definition of reatment resistance.Generally, patients in an acute state, manic, depressed, or mixed, whose symptoms do not improve after at least two evidence-based medication trlals are conslaerea treatment-reslstant In researcn stu01es. In tne malntenance phase, patients are considered treatment-resistant if they continue cycling despite several adequate medication trials. In some studies additional criteria must be met in order to truly be considered treatment-resistant. These include functional measures of remission. Dr. Prakash Masand, p sychiatrist and founder of Global Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Heather McLean HCA/240 Maryam Pirnazar 4/14/2013 Introduction Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder it can cause shifts in moods, activity level, energy, and also the ability to due day-to-day tasks. It is also commonly known as manic- depressive illness. This disorder is one of the oldest illnesses that is known. It is one of the first noticed that goes as far back and the second century. The first person that recognized the some of the symptoms is Aretaeus of Cappadocia. What he found went unnoticed until Richard Burton a scientist wrote a book, which the main focus was depression.This is still used in today’s time. There are many different myths and misconceptions about bipolar disorder. Some myths about bipolar disorder consists of things that people believe like, bipolar disorder can not get better or people with the disorder can not lead a normal life, people with this disorder swing back and forth between depression and mania. Some even believe that dipo lar disorder only affects moods, and some believe that medication is the only way people with this disorder can control it. Only with getting the facts will people be able to understand the truth about bipolar disorder.The causes of bipolar are unknown. There are several factors that do seem to play a role in triggering the bipolar episodes. These causes consist of biological differences, neurotransmitters, hormones, inherited trait, and environment. They’re are some that believes that, bipolar disorder is inherited and a family trait. Symptoms Symptoms for bipolar disorder are severe and people do not notice them off the bat. When a patient had bipolar disorder people experience different states. When patients have bipolar disorder, they experience an intense emotional state, which can be called ‘mood episodes’.A person that experience overly joy or overly excited times is called manic episodes. When bipolar disorder patients experience extreme hopelessness or s ad states, is considered to be a depressive episodes. There are even times when episodes are mixed, which are considered as mixed states. There are many different things that go with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Patients can have extreme changes in their activity, energy, sleep patterns, and their changes in their total behavior. It is also possible that people with this disorder can have episodes for a long period of time.Symptoms of mania include mood changes, the patient can feel high or overly happy or a long period of time, and extreme irritable moods. Their behavioral changes consists of talking fast, going from one idea to a different one, easily distracted, an increase in goal-directed activities, being restless, have little sleep, behave impulsively and taking part in high risk behavior. They can also have unrealistic beliefs in ones abilities. Symptoms of depression include a long period of feelings, worry or even empty, a lack of interest and activities, which includ es sex.The behavior changes are felling tired, problems with concentration, and memory and even making decisions. Other symptoms are restlessness, a change in eating habits, and thinking about death and suicide. Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters are also involved with the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorders. Before knowing how it is involved in bipolar disorder, knowing what neurotransmitters are important. A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that is released at the very end of the nerve fiber. It transmits signals from the neuron to a target cell across a synapse.With bipolar disorders, neurotransmitters are involved in the aetiology of mood disorder. In earlier theories, suggestions where made that an excess of neurotransmitters occurred during a manic episode, which is not really what happens. It is the effectiveness of the cell functions under the modification and the control of neurotransmitters that underlines the patho-aetiology of mood disorders. Diagnoses Some people wonder how bipolar disorder is diagnosed. The person can do is talk to a doctor that can diagnose and give a physical examination, and mental lab test.It cant be found through a blood test or even a brain scan, although these tests can help make sure that there are not any other contributing factors. The doctor can then conduct a evaluation of mental health. He can also give a patient a referral to a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist, which is more experienced with diagnosing bipolar disorders. When conducting a diagnostic evaluation they discuss all family history and get the patients history of any symptoms. They will also talk about the patients close relatives and spouse.Getting more information about the patient and what they are going through in life will also help determine whether or not they are bipolar. When a person has bipolar disorder, they are more likely to look for help in their most vulnerable state, which is when they are depressed. Making sure that the patient is not mistakenly diagnosed it is important for the doctor to make sure that the patients medical history is done with care. After going thought the process of being diagnosed, the doctor will then find the appropriate treatment for the patient.Treatment Bipolar disorder has no known cure. The best thing for patients is to have proper treatments, to have a better control over their mood swings and other symptoms they may have. Patients with bipolar disorder are in need for a long-term treatment because the disorder is a lifetime disorder. The most affective treatment plan involves medication and psychotherapy, which help the patient from relapsing and helps them reduce the severity of their symptoms. Normally someone that is a doctor of medicine prescribes by a psychiatrist or medications.There are also others that can prescribe medications like psychiatric nurse practitioners, advanced psychiatric nurse specialists and clinical psychologists, but it all depends on the state that you are in, and it is best to check with your states licensing agency to make sure. Some of the types of medications that are used to treat bipolar disorders are, mood-stabilizing medications like Lithium and Valproic, Atypical ant-psychotic medicates like Olanzapine, and Aripiprazole, and antidepressant medications like Fluoxetine. Everyone may not respond to the medications in the same exact way.It may even take different tries with different medications to get the right one that works for the right patient. It may even help to keep a daily chard or the patients mood symptoms, sleep patterns, treatments, and their everyday life to make sure you can tell the doctor about how affective the medication is. With every medication, it is important that you know the side effects and patients should always talk to their doctor about and risks and benefits. Psychotherapy is a part of the treatment with bipolar disorders. It is really when the patient goes in to talk in thera py.It is a way to provide education, guidance, and more important support. Some treatments that can be used in psychotherapy are, cognitive behavioral therapy, family focused therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, and psycho-education. It is a way to let the patient talk out their feeling and what is going on in their lives, and a way for the doctor to talk to the patient about how they should deal with thing and educate them on the process. Environmental surrounds also could help a person with bipolar disorder, not have an episode or is may cause them to have one. EnvironmentalAn environmental surround of a person that is suffering from bipolar disorder is very important. It is important that the patient understands that doing certain thing or even being around certain people may cause them to have an episode. If the patient is around people and surrounding that does not stressful and not giving the patient a hard time will help them not get over work about things, and b eing around people and place that could upset the patient can cause them to have an episode. Any life event may trigger an episode; alcohol or drug abuse or even hormonal problems can cause an episode.Knowing what is causing the episodes is important, and the patient will be able to have a better control over their episodes. In the Past Things are so much different than when they were before the 20th century. Before the 20th century diagnostic was done a bit different than in today’s time and so was the treatments. Physical explanations gave way to many theories that believed that mental illness came in the mind. The causes were thought to be a demonic possession or even a moral weakness, and it could be cured by exorcism or a religious zeal. People were even outcast and many was even convicted of consorting with the devil and burned.With ancient treatments, Egyptians believed that depression was caused by a reversal of fortune or even a loss of status. They thought that it c ould have been cured by talking it out or for the person to look to a religious faith. Some people believe that mental illness was a gift from the heavens, and it should have been cherished. The Greeks believed that depression was an overabundance of mania to yellow bile and black bile, that lives in the body, and the only help for it was bleeding or for the person to purge the system to regain their balance.In today’s time doctors are used to determine what is wrong with the patient, and they are able to treat them with medication and therapy to help them deal with their disorders. Conclusion It is a good thing that in today’s time we have people to example patients and get appropriate diagnoses for them, and to also make sure they get the help that is needed. Understanding what is going on with a persons mind is important and making sure they know how to deal with a life long situation like bipolar disorder, is necessary. Experience from a Patient with Bipolar Disord er Living with bipolar disorder isn’t easy. You never know when you’re going to have a good or bad day. You just have to be ready for whichever one comes. The medication help a little, but you have to be mentally strong to deal with the things this serious disorder will put you through, that the way I felt was completely natural. I had weeks I was angry, sad, and someday I was happy. It was easy to set me off, I would get mad at simple things and hold on to that anger. School become harder, I didn’t want to be there, everything pushed my buttons.I would hold my anger for so long and it would build up, then someone says something and I would blow the top off the kettle. Finally my build up anger caused me to go to fail, after that I decided I needed some sort of help. I made an appointment with an anger management person and they asked me some very personal questions. They proceeded to a drug test after I told them I did not do drugs, and everything was clean. Th en she said she wanted to try me on a simple mood stabilizer. So for a month I took this medicine called Saphris. It tasted like sulfur, and kept me awake and made me very hyper.I couldn’t sleep and wasn’t really hungry or anything. So I told her on my next visit what I was experiencing. She then changed it to a higher dosage and it did the same things. So my nexts visit, which was a month later, she changed my medicines again, and this time it was a simple anti-depressant call Prozac. Since taking this medicine I have gotten better, I am less angry, sad and hyper. I finally fell semi-normal, its been two months and I am pretty much controlling my moods with the help of Prozac, but I still have my days, that normal just something I live with daily and I am beginning to cop pretty well with everyday life. (Dezarare Walden 4/13/2013). Dezarae is an 18 year old, white, female, which agree to write her experience of bipolar disorder for me. The best way to talk to people a bout it, is to speak to those who are experiences the disorder. Reference: Copyright  © caregiver. com, Inc. 1995 – 2013  ©Helpguide. org Duman et al, 1997; Duman, 2002 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health NIH Publication No. 09-3679 Revised 2008 Reprinted 2009 Bipolar Disorder Bipolar Disorder Heather McLean HCA/240 Maryam Pirnazar 4/14/2013 Introduction Bipolar disorder is a brain disorder it can cause shifts in moods, activity level, energy, and also the ability to due day-to-day tasks. It is also commonly known as manic- depressive illness. This disorder is one of the oldest illnesses that is known. It is one of the first noticed that goes as far back and the second century. The first person that recognized the some of the symptoms is Aretaeus of Cappadocia. What he found went unnoticed until Richard Burton a scientist wrote a book, which the main focus was depression.This is still used in today’s time. There are many different myths and misconceptions about bipolar disorder. Some myths about bipolar disorder consists of things that people believe like, bipolar disorder can not get better or people with the disorder can not lead a normal life, people with this disorder swing back and forth between depression and mania. Some even believe that dipo lar disorder only affects moods, and some believe that medication is the only way people with this disorder can control it. Only with getting the facts will people be able to understand the truth about bipolar disorder.The causes of bipolar are unknown. There are several factors that do seem to play a role in triggering the bipolar episodes. These causes consist of biological differences, neurotransmitters, hormones, inherited trait, and environment. They’re are some that believes that, bipolar disorder is inherited and a family trait. Symptoms Symptoms for bipolar disorder are severe and people do not notice them off the bat. When a patient had bipolar disorder people experience different states. When patients have bipolar disorder, they experience an intense emotional state, which can be called ‘mood episodes’.A person that experience overly joy or overly excited times is called manic episodes. When bipolar disorder patients experience extreme hopelessness or s ad states, is considered to be a depressive episodes. There are even times when episodes are mixed, which are considered as mixed states. There are many different things that go with the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Patients can have extreme changes in their activity, energy, sleep patterns, and their changes in their total behavior. It is also possible that people with this disorder can have episodes for a long period of time.Symptoms of mania include mood changes, the patient can feel high or overly happy or a long period of time, and extreme irritable moods. Their behavioral changes consists of talking fast, going from one idea to a different one, easily distracted, an increase in goal-directed activities, being restless, have little sleep, behave impulsively and taking part in high risk behavior. They can also have unrealistic beliefs in ones abilities. Symptoms of depression include a long period of feelings, worry or even empty, a lack of interest and activities, which includ es sex.The behavior changes are felling tired, problems with concentration, and memory and even making decisions. Other symptoms are restlessness, a change in eating habits, and thinking about death and suicide. Neurotransmitters Neurotransmitters are also involved with the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorders. Before knowing how it is involved in bipolar disorder, knowing what neurotransmitters are important. A neurotransmitter is a chemical substance that is released at the very end of the nerve fiber. It transmits signals from the neuron to a target cell across a synapse.With bipolar disorders, neurotransmitters are involved in the aetiology of mood disorder. In earlier theories, suggestions where made that an excess of neurotransmitters occurred during a manic episode, which is not really what happens. It is the effectiveness of the cell functions under the modification and the control of neurotransmitters that underlines the patho-aetiology of mood disorders. Diagnoses Some people wonder how bipolar disorder is diagnosed. The person can do is talk to a doctor that can diagnose and give a physical examination, and mental lab test.It cant be found through a blood test or even a brain scan, although these tests can help make sure that there are not any other contributing factors. The doctor can then conduct a evaluation of mental health. He can also give a patient a referral to a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist, which is more experienced with diagnosing bipolar disorders. When conducting a diagnostic evaluation they discuss all family history and get the patients history of any symptoms. They will also talk about the patients close relatives and spouse.Getting more information about the patient and what they are going through in life will also help determine whether or not they are bipolar. When a person has bipolar disorder, they are more likely to look for help in their most vulnerable state, which is when they are depressed. Making sure that the patient is not mistakenly diagnosed it is important for the doctor to make sure that the patients medical history is done with care. After going thought the process of being diagnosed, the doctor will then find the appropriate treatment for the patient.Treatment Bipolar disorder has no known cure. The best thing for patients is to have proper treatments, to have a better control over their mood swings and other symptoms they may have. Patients with bipolar disorder are in need for a long-term treatment because the disorder is a lifetime disorder. The most affective treatment plan involves medication and psychotherapy, which help the patient from relapsing and helps them reduce the severity of their symptoms. Normally someone that is a doctor of medicine prescribes by a psychiatrist or medications.There are also others that can prescribe medications like psychiatric nurse practitioners, advanced psychiatric nurse specialists and clinical psychologists, but it all depends on the state that you are in, and it is best to check with your states licensing agency to make sure. Some of the types of medications that are used to treat bipolar disorders are, mood-stabilizing medications like Lithium and Valproic, Atypical ant-psychotic medicates like Olanzapine, and Aripiprazole, and antidepressant medications like Fluoxetine. Everyone may not respond to the medications in the same exact way.It may even take different tries with different medications to get the right one that works for the right patient. It may even help to keep a daily chard or the patients mood symptoms, sleep patterns, treatments, and their everyday life to make sure you can tell the doctor about how affective the medication is. With every medication, it is important that you know the side effects and patients should always talk to their doctor about and risks and benefits. Psychotherapy is a part of the treatment with bipolar disorders. It is really when the patient goes in to talk in thera py.It is a way to provide education, guidance, and more important support. Some treatments that can be used in psychotherapy are, cognitive behavioral therapy, family focused therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy, and psycho-education. It is a way to let the patient talk out their feeling and what is going on in their lives, and a way for the doctor to talk to the patient about how they should deal with thing and educate them on the process. Environmental surrounds also could help a person with bipolar disorder, not have an episode or is may cause them to have one. EnvironmentalAn environmental surround of a person that is suffering from bipolar disorder is very important. It is important that the patient understands that doing certain thing or even being around certain people may cause them to have an episode. If the patient is around people and surrounding that does not stressful and not giving the patient a hard time will help them not get over work about things, and b eing around people and place that could upset the patient can cause them to have an episode. Any life event may trigger an episode; alcohol or drug abuse or even hormonal problems can cause an episode.Knowing what is causing the episodes is important, and the patient will be able to have a better control over their episodes. In the Past Things are so much different than when they were before the 20th century. Before the 20th century diagnostic was done a bit different than in today’s time and so was the treatments. Physical explanations gave way to many theories that believed that mental illness came in the mind. The causes were thought to be a demonic possession or even a moral weakness, and it could be cured by exorcism or a religious zeal. People were even outcast and many was even convicted of consorting with the devil and burned.With ancient treatments, Egyptians believed that depression was caused by a reversal of fortune or even a loss of status. They thought that it c ould have been cured by talking it out or for the person to look to a religious faith. Some people believe that mental illness was a gift from the heavens, and it should have been cherished. The Greeks believed that depression was an overabundance of mania to yellow bile and black bile, that lives in the body, and the only help for it was bleeding or for the person to purge the system to regain their balance.In today’s time doctors are used to determine what is wrong with the patient, and they are able to treat them with medication and therapy to help them deal with their disorders. Conclusion It is a good thing that in today’s time we have people to example patients and get appropriate diagnoses for them, and to also make sure they get the help that is needed. Understanding what is going on with a persons mind is important and making sure they know how to deal with a life long situation like bipolar disorder, is necessary. Experience from a Patient with Bipolar Disord er Living with bipolar disorder isn’t easy. You never know when you’re going to have a good or bad day. You just have to be ready for whichever one comes. The medication help a little, but you have to be mentally strong to deal with the things this serious disorder will put you through, that the way I felt was completely natural. I had weeks I was angry, sad, and someday I was happy. It was easy to set me off, I would get mad at simple things and hold on to that anger. School become harder, I didn’t want to be there, everything pushed my buttons.I would hold my anger for so long and it would build up, then someone says something and I would blow the top off the kettle. Finally my build up anger caused me to go to fail, after that I decided I needed some sort of help. I made an appointment with an anger management person and they asked me some very personal questions. They proceeded to a drug test after I told them I did not do drugs, and everything was clean. Th en she said she wanted to try me on a simple mood stabilizer. So for a month I took this medicine called Saphris. It tasted like sulfur, and kept me awake and made me very hyper.I couldn’t sleep and wasn’t really hungry or anything. So I told her on my next visit what I was experiencing. She then changed it to a higher dosage and it did the same things. So my nexts visit, which was a month later, she changed my medicines again, and this time it was a simple anti-depressant call Prozac. Since taking this medicine I have gotten better, I am less angry, sad and hyper. I finally fell semi-normal, its been two months and I am pretty much controlling my moods with the help of Prozac, but I still have my days, that normal just something I live with daily and I am beginning to cop pretty well with everyday life. (Dezarare Walden 4/13/2013). Dezarae is an 18 year old, white, female, which agree to write her experience of bipolar disorder for me. The best way to talk to people a bout it, is to speak to those who are experiences the disorder. Reference: Copyright  © caregiver. com, Inc. 1995 – 2013  ©Helpguide. org Duman et al, 1997; Duman, 2002 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health NIH Publication No. 09-3679 Revised 2008 Reprinted 2009

Federalism Returning Government Power to the States

An ongoing battle rages over the proper size and role of the federal government, especially as it relates to conflicts with state governments over legislative authority. Conservatives believe that state and local governments should be empowered to handle issues such as health care, education, immigration, and many other social and economic laws. This concept is known as federalism, and it begs the question: Why do conservatives value a return to a decentralized government? Original Constitutional Roles There is little question that the current role of the federal government far exceeds anything ever imagined by the Founders. It has clearly taken over many roles originally designated to individual states. Through the U.S. Constitution, the Founding Fathers sought to limit the possibility of a strong centralized government and, in fact, they gave the federal government a very limited list of responsibilities. They felt the federal government should handle issues that it would be difficult or unreasonable for states to deal with, such as maintenance of the military and defense operations, negotiating treaties with foreign countries, creating currency, and regulating commerce with foreign countries. Ideally, individual states would then handle most matters that they reasonably could. The Founders even went further in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights, specifically in the 10th Amendment, to prevent the federal government from grabbing too much power. Benefits of Stronger State Governments One of the clear benefits of a weaker federal government and stronger state governments is that the needs of each state are more easily managed. Alaska, Iowa, Rhode Island, and Florida, for example, are all very different states with very different needs, populations, and values. A law that may make sense in New York might make little sense in Alabama. For example, some states have determined that its necessary to prohibit the use of fireworks due to an environment that is highly susceptible to wildfires. Some allow them only around July 4th, and others allow those that dont fly in the air. Other states allow fireworks. It would not be valuable for the federal government to make one standardized law for all states prohibiting fireworks when only a handful of states want such a law in place. State control also empowers states to make tough decisions for their own well-being rather than hope that the federal government will see the states’ problem as a priority. A strong state government empowers citizens in two ways. First, state governments are far more responsive to the needs of the residents of their state. If important issues are not addressed, voters can hold elections and vote for candidates they feel are better suited to handle the problems. If an issue is important to only one state and the federal government has authority over that issue, then local voters have little influence to get the change they seek; theyre just a small part of a larger electorate. Second, empowered state governments also allow individuals to choose to live in a state that best fits their personal values. Families and individuals can choose to live in states that have no or low income taxes or states with higher ones. They can opt for states with weak or strong gun laws. Some people may prefer to live in a state that offers a wide range of government programs and services while others may not. Just as the free market allows individuals to pick and choose products or services they like, so can they choose a state that best fits their lifestyle. Over-reaching federal government limits this ability. State-Federal Conflicts Conflicts between state and federal governments are becoming more common. States have begun to fight back and have either passed their own laws or have taken the federal government to court in protest. On some issues, though, it has backfired when states take matters into their own hands. The result has been a hodgepodge of inconsistent regulations. Federal laws are then passed to decide the issue for the whole country. While there are many examples of federal-state conflicts, here are a few key battle issues: The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act   The federal government passed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act in 2010 (which made some changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed a few days earlier), inflicting what conservatives say are burdensome regulations on individuals, corporations, and individual states. The passage of the law prompted 26 states to file a lawsuit seeking to overturn the law, and they argued that there were several thousand new laws that were nearly impossible to implement. However, the act prevailed, as the federal government, it was ruled, can legislate interstate commerce. Conservative lawmakers argue that states should have the most authority to determine laws regarding health care. 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney passed a statewide health care law when he was governor of Massachusetts that was not popular with conservatives, but the bill was popular with the people of Massachusetts. (It was the model for the Affordable Care Act.) Romney argued that this is why state governments should have the power to implement laws that are right for their states.   Illegal Immigration   Many border states such as Texas and Arizona have been on the front lines on the issue of illegal immigration. Although tough federal laws exist dealing with illegal immigration, both Republican and Democratic administrations have refused to enforce many of them. This has prompted some states to pass their own laws to battle the issue. One such example is Arizona, which passed SB 1070 in 2010 and was then sued by the Obama U.S. Department of Justice over certain provisions in the law. The state argues that its laws mimic those of the federal government that are not being enforced. The Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that certain provisions of SB 1070 were prohibited by federal law. Police officers are allowed but not required to ask for proof of citizenship when pulling someone over, and they cannot arrest someone without a warrant if they believe the person is deportable. Voting Fraud There have been alleged instances of voting fraud, with votes being cast in the names of individuals who were recently deceased, allegations of double registrations, and absentee voter fraud. In many states, you can be allowed to vote without photographic proof of your identity, such as by bringing a bank statement with your address or verification of your signature as compared with whats on file with the registrar. Some states have sought to make it a requirement to show a government-issued ID to vote. One such state is South Carolina, which passed legislation that would have required voters to present an official government-issued photo ID. The law doesn’t seem unreasonable to many people, given that there are laws requiring IDs for all sorts of other things, including driving, purchasing alcohol or tobacco, and flying on an airplane. The Department of Justice tried to prevent  South Carolina from enacting the law as written. Ultimately, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld it with changes. It still stands, but now ID is no longer necessary if the would-be voter has a good reason for not having it.  For example, voters who are disabled or blind and cant drive dont often have government-issued IDs, or an elderly person may not have an ID because they never had a birth certificate. In North Dakota, which has a similar law, members of Native American tribes who live on reservations may not have photo IDs because their residences dont have street addresses. The Goal of Conservatives It remains highly unlikely that the largess of the federal government will return to the role that was originally intended: weak so that it didnt feel like a return to an oppressive monarchy. The writer Ayn Rand once noted that it took more than 100 years for the federal government to get as large as it has, and reversing the trend would take equally as long. Conservatives, who want to reduce the size and scope of the federal government and restore power to the states, seek to focus on electing candidates who have the power to stop the trend of an ever-increasing federal government.