The Effects of Bipolar Disorder With Chronic Pain

Bipolar disorder can be related to illicit drug use. Drugs such as Oxycodone, Vicodin and Hydrocodone are used in the treatment of chronic pain but can exacerbate bipolar disorder symptoms.

Causes

• Bipolar disorder has multiple causes such as prescription drug abuse, genetics, sleep deprivation and financial problems, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Mania and Depression

• Bipolar disorder presents as highs and lows in the mood of the patient. The effects of the high are irritation, inflated sense of self, and inability to sleep or intense energy. The low phase, reports the Journal of the American Medical Association, has characteristics like extreme sadness, substance abuse, and feelings of hopelessness and guilt.

Co-occurring Disorders

• Substance abuse addiction combined with mental health issues is treated simultaneously. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, the effects of chronic pain, and the condition of bipolar disorder is considered a co-occurring disorder when drug abuse is also present.

Chronic Pain

• Until recently, chronic pain was treated with oxycontin or other opioid based drugs. Abuse of pain reducing drugs has warranted more restrictive application and the introduction of methadone, suboxone, and buprenorphine treatments, states the Montefiore Medical Center.

Treatment Team

• The effects of chronic pain are treated by multiple rehabilitation professionals. Social workers, physical therapists, psychiatrists, and vocational counselors work together to end the constancy of suffering from pain.