Biological Causes Of Bipolar Disorder Psychology Essay

Biological Causes Of Bipolar Disorder Psychology Essay Bipolar disorder is likely one of the most difficult diagnoses to receive in terms of living a normal life. As a psychological disorder, or more specifically, a mood disorder, its typical age of onset is in the early twenties, and its prevalence is between one and two percent worldwide. The disorder is characterized by an alternation between mania and depression, as well as poor impulse control, attention deficits, and impairments of verbal memory. Intensity of the manic state in a bipolar patient determines whether they are diagnosed with bipolar I or bipolar II. Those with classic, full-fledged mania have bipolar I, where as those with a less extensive version involving anxiety or irritability, sometimes referred to as hypomania, have bipolar II (Kalat, 2013). Causes of the illness are not always clear, but one or a combination of factors such as neurochemical factors, environmental factors, and genetics usually play a part in the development of bipolar disorder (Bressert, 2007). Genetics are an essential factor, as bipolar disorder is a very biologically based illness. Certain genes have been shown to increase the risk of developing bipolar II disorder, and also some genes associated with a predisposition to major depression predispose to bipolar disorder. However, no definitive relationships exist between these genes and bipolar disorder (Kalat, 2013). Various statistics have been obtained through research as far as chances of developing bipolar disorder based on its prevalence within a family. For example, the risk of the illness is between fifteen and twenty-five percent for those with a parent who has bipolar disorder. Furthermore, the risk for someone whose non-identical twin has the condition is twenty-five percent, which increases eightfold if they are identical twins (Bressert, 2007). Biological Causes Overview Here is an overview of many different factors that are biological in nature and have implications in bipolar disorder, some of which will be explored in further detail later. As a primarily biological illness, the improper functioning of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and likely many others has been identified as a cause (Bressert, 2007). Another interesting biological factor includes the brain’s increased use of glucose throughout a manic episode and its decreased use of glucose during depressive episodes (Kalat, 2013). Studies analyzing the reelin gene which helps in brain function and development have found that there is a link between the dysfunction of the reelin gene and psychiatric disorders, specifically schizophrenia, and more importantly for this paper, bipolar disorder (Ovadia, 2011). On a side note, there have also been studies which have found a gene that may provide some sort of protection against bipolar disorder. It is called GRIK4, and as a ‘kainate-type ionotropic glutamate receptor’ is part of the glutamate neurotransmission process (Pickard, 2006). Another in teresting indicator of bipolar disorder was found using sensory gating, and involves the P85 gating ratio (Patterson, 2009). Relating to the circadian rhythm aspect of the disorder and how disruption of this due to the disorder can be a cause of the manic and depressive states in bipolar patients, there have been some studies. The results of one study found an association between the NR1D1 and GSK3ÃŽÂ ² variants and differences in functioning of the expression of genes related to the ‘circadian clock’ system (McCarthy, 2011). An association specific to rapid cycling bipolar disorder involves the gene variation of CRY2, a ‘clock gene’ (Sjà ¶holm, 2010). A biological marker related to gluten sensitivity has been discovered which showed that those with bipolar disorder have ‘increased levels of IgG antibodies to gliadin’ (Dickerson, 2011). Finally, a recent study looked into gene expression in  lymphoblastoid cells, which could be a possible biological marker of bipolar disorder (Kato, 2011). Overall, it seems that there are still many questions as far as biological causes of the disorder, though progress towards the specifics of those markers is definitely being made.

The common causes of crime in the world Research Paper

The common causes of crime in the world - Research Paper Example Every country has a certain common crime amongst its citizens. Most of these crimes result to deaths of either the offenders or the offended, and sometimes, both parties. Research indicates that most victims of crime are the young people. This paper will seek to establish and validate that economy; drug use, TV violence, and a lack of law enforcement are four common causes of crime in the world. In the 1990s, there was a low crime rate in the US compared to other proceeding years. This is attributed to the economic boom during the 1990s decade. This is majorly considered being because of low rate of unemployment and increased per capita income. However, during as economic recession, crime rate has been on the increase all over the world (Martin, 2012). There are many reasons behind the decrease in crime rate during economic prosperity ranging from strong support on the police department and law enforcement agencies to sufficient income among citizens to satisfy their needs. This means that citizens are less likely to involve themselves in crime in pursuit of means for survival, and increased law intervention is likely to caught people with intentions to commit crime due to stable support from financial resources. When there is no enough money to support the crime police unit and the law enforcement agencies, only a few policies and strategies are implemented giving criminals an opportunity to boost their crime activities. When inflation rate is high, people tend to involve themselves in black street market in order to provided cheaper goods. Inflation means high cost of living that many people may not afford put up with forcing them to adopt other means of survival. For example, high house rates may force some people the vacate house and look for cheaper ones that they are able to pay rent without much struggle (Hamm, 2007). The vacated houses may stay

Cuisine in England Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cuisine in England - Research Paper Example e English diet is fundamentally characterized by salty and sweet snacks that include but are not limited to potato chips, chocolate bars, pizzas, burgers and ice-cream cakes. If there was one term to describe most of the English foods, it would be â€Å"processed foods†. Nevertheless, the English do have a whole range of traditional foods that have been part of the English culture for centuries. â€Å"Englands rich cultural mix has brought about a huge range of food options and today the British are happily exposing their taste buds to flavours and experiences from many far-flung corners of the world† (â€Å"Cuisine In England†). This paper would primarily discuss the traditional English foods. There are numerous regional and national varieties within the British cuisine. England is located in the northern side of Europe. To its North is Scotland and to its West is Wales. In fact, the term Great Britain is used collectively for the three of them and when England, Scotland, Wales are also accompanied with Ireland, it becomes the United Kingdom (UK). â€Å"England has a coastline of 3,246 km along the Irish, Celtic and North Seas and the English Channel and a relatively diverse terrain for such a small land mass from rolling plains which stretch from the central area (east of Wales) to her southern extremities excellent for the growing of crops and grazing of livestock† (â€Å"English Cuisine and Recipes†). The transition between the old (traditional) and the contemporary (processed foods) British cuisine can fundamentally be attributed to the decline in the areas of forested woodland due to the industrial revolution and urbanization. Today, forested woodland makes no more than 8 per cent of the total land of UK. Nevertheless, the temperate climate combined with the number of rivers and streams in UK are together sufficient to produce a variety a foods to be consumed by the English people. British cuisine is actually used as an umbrella term for several cuisines include