You Are The Special Agent In Charge Of The Area Field Office

You Are The Special Agent In Charge Of The Area Field Office For The F

You are the special agent-in-charge of the area field office for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) has asked you about a homicide involving a hostage taker who took a gas station attendant and two customers hostage. After a brief standoff with negotiators, the hostage taker shot his three hostages and then turned the gun on himself. A surviving family member of the suspect reported that the hostage taker was suffering from an affect system disorder.

The AUSA would like to discuss the concepts of unipolar affect disorder and bipolar affect disorder (BAD). In a meeting set with the AUSA, you will explain the two disorders and why it is likely they contributed to the deaths of the hostages and the hostage taker. Please respond to the following questions. You must provide meaningful feedback to the main postings of at least two of your classmates:

What is the difference between unipolar disorder and bipolar disorder?

What is considered to be appropriate treatment for persons suffering from these disorders?

Is the use of pharmaceuticals to treat these disorders enough to return persons into the community to function normally? Why?

Paper For Above instruction

The tragic incident involving the hostage taker highlights the critical importance of understanding mental health disorders, particularly affective disorders, and their impact on behavior. In this context, distinguishing between unipolar depression and bipolar disorder is essential for comprehending the potential psychological influences that may contribute to violent acts like the one described.

Differences Between Unipolar and Bipolar Disorders

Unipolar disorder, also known as major depressive disorder (MDD), is characterized predominantly by episodes of persistent depression, severe low mood, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, and loss of interest in daily activities. Individuals with unipolar depression do not experience manic or euphoric phases; their mood disturbance is consistently negative or depressive. It is a disorder that impairs functioning but does not include the mood swings seen in bipolar disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Bipolar disorder, previously called manic-depressive illness, involves alternating episodes of depression and mania or hypomania. During manic episodes, individuals may experience elevated mood, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, grandiosity, and impulsive behavior. The mood swings between depression and mania can be severe and unpredictable, often leading to risky behaviors, poor judgment, and impulsivity (Geddes & Miklowitz, 2013).

Impact of Affective Disorders on Violence

The case of the hostage taker suffering from an affective disorder suggests that mood instability may have contributed to his violent actions. During manic episodes, heightened impulsivity and decreased impulse control can increase the likelihood of violent acts. Conversely, severe depression may also lead to feelings of despair, hopelessness, and, in some cases, self-destructive behavior. That the suspect shot his hostages before turning the gun on himself indicates a complex interplay of mood states that contributed to the tragedy.

Appropriate Treatment for Affective Disorders

Effective management of unipolar and bipolar disorders involves a combination of pharmacological treatment, psychotherapy, lifestyle management, and social support. For unipolar depression, medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and sometimes tricyclics are used to stabilize mood and alleviate depressive symptoms (Mayo Clinic, 2021).

Bipolar disorder treatment typically involves mood stabilizers like lithium, anticonvulsants such as valproate, and atypical antipsychotics. Psychotherapy approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychoeducation, are also integral to help patients recognize triggers, adhere to medication regimens, and develop coping strategies (Yatham et al., 2018).

Pharmacological Treatment and Community Functioning

While medications are essential in managing symptoms, they are not always sufficient alone to ensure full community reintegration. Many individuals require ongoing mental health support, psychotherapy, and social interventions to manage their disorders effectively and avoid relapse. Compliance with medication regimes can be challenging due to side effects, lack of insight, or social stigma. Without comprehensive treatment plans that include therapy and social support, individuals with affective disorders may remain at risk for mood episodes that impair judgment and increase the potential for violence, as illustrated in the case.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinctions between unipolar and bipolar disorders is vital for law enforcement and mental health professionals in assessing risks associated with affected individuals. Although pharmacological treatments can significantly reduce symptoms, they are typically most effective when combined with psychotherapy and social support. A multidimensional approach is essential to facilitate recovery and reduce the potential for violence linked to untreated or poorly managed affective disorders.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
• Geddes, J. R., & Miklowitz, D. J. (2013). Treatment of bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 381(9878), 1672-1682.
• Mayo Clinic. (2021). Depression (major depressive disorder) - Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-11362043
• Yatham, L. N., Kennedy, S. H., Parikh, S. V., et al. (2018). Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) and International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD) guidelines for the management of patients with bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disorders, 20(2), 97-170.
• Goodwin, F. K., & Jamison, K. R. (2007). Manic-Depressive Illness: Bipolar Disorders and Recurrent Affective Disorders. Oxford University Press.
• Glenn, C. R., & Nock, M. K. (2014). Improving the assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70(2), 163-173.
• Malhi, G. S., & Outhred, T. (2016). Bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 387(10027), 1561-1572.
• Berk, M., & Dodd, S. (2013). Bipolar disorder. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 47(12), 1119-1124.
• Zimmerman, M., et al. (2018). Comorbidity of bipolar disorder with other psychiatric disorders. Psychiatry Research, 254, 28-31.
• Nierenberg, A. A., & Altshuler, L. (2019). Bipolar disorder management. Medical Clinics of North America, 103(2), 287-297.