Bipolar and Related Disorders – Key Vocabulary

34 vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms and concepts related to bipolar and related disorders, suitable for exam review.

Mania

A state of abnormally elevated mood, energy, and activity often seen in bipolar I disorder, characterized by hyperactivity, poor judgment, and decreased need for sleep.

Hyperactivity

Excessive motor activity without adequate rest or sleep; a hallmark behavior during manic episodes that threatens physical well-being.

Poor Judgment

Impulsive, high-risk decision-making common in mania, such as posting inappropriate content online or reckless spending.

Euphoric Mood

Excessive, persistent happiness or elation that exceeds normal joy; frequently observed during acute mania.

Clang Associations

Speech pattern in which words are chosen for their sounds rather than meaning, producing rhymes or puns (e.g., “work, jerk, perks”).

Bipolar I Disorder

Mood disorder marked by at least one full manic episode, often accompanied by major depressive episodes and possible psychosis.

Rapid Cycling

A pattern in bipolar disorder with four or more mood episodes in a year; often responds well to anticonvulsants like carbamazepine or valproate.

Lithium Carbonate

Classic mood-stabilizing medication used to treat and prevent manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.

Therapeutic Lithium Level

Serum concentration between 0.6–1.2 mEq/L (drawn 8–12 hours after last dose) associated with optimal efficacy and safety.

Lithium Toxicity

Dangerous elevation of lithium levels producing symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, tremor, weakness, diaphoresis, and ataxia; requires immediate medical attention.

Anticonvulsant Mood Stabilizers

Seizure medications (e.g., valproate, carbamazepine, lamotrigine) used to control mood swings, especially rapid cycling or mixed states.

Carbamazepine

An anticonvulsant effective for rapid-cycling bipolar disorder and angry, paranoid mania; requires blood-level monitoring.

Valproate (Divalproex)

Broad-spectrum anticonvulsant widely used as a first-line mood stabilizer for acute mania and maintenance therapy.

Lamotrigine

Anticonvulsant effective in bipolar maintenance and depression phases; carries a risk for serious rash (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).

Olanzapine

Second-generation antipsychotic added to lithium during acute mania to gain rapid control of hyperactivity and agitation.

Pressured Speech

Rapid, loud, insistent talking that is difficult to interrupt; common during manic states.

Grandiosity

Inflated self-esteem or exaggerated sense of importance, power, or identity observed in mania.

Distractibility

Inability to maintain attention, easily drawn to irrelevant stimuli; can be used therapeutically to redirect manic clients.

Limit Setting

Clear, consistent, and firm direction used by staff to control unsafe or inappropriate behaviors during mania.

Risk for Injury

Priority nursing diagnosis for manic clients due to impulsivity, poor judgment, and physical exhaustion.

Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements

Deficit caused by hyperactivity and poor intake; requires high-calorie, high-protein interventions.

High-Calorie High-Protein Supplements

Portable drinks or finger foods offered to manic clients to prevent weight loss and meet energy demands.

Finger Foods

Easy-to-eat items (e.g., chicken sandwich, corn, apple) that allow manic clients to eat while moving.

Sleep Pattern Disturbance

Reduced need for or inability to sleep, common in both mania and depression; monitoring is essential to detect escalation.

Psychoeducation

Structured teaching for clients and families about illness, medication adherence, relapse signs, and coping strategies.

Maintenance Phase (Bipolar Treatment)

Long-term period aiming to prevent relapse; often involves lifelong mood-stabilizer therapy and ongoing education.

Sodium Depletion and Lithium

Low body sodium (from dehydration or diuretics) increases lithium reabsorption, heightening toxicity risk; normal salt and fluid intake is critical.

One-on-One Supervision

Continuous staff monitoring used when a manic client’s behaviors (e.g., repeated disrobing) remain unsafe despite verbal limits.

Structured Environment

Low-stimulus setting with simple décor and clear routines that helps manic clients conserve energy and reduce agitation.

Show of Force

Staff strategy of visible presence before potential restraint; should be reserved for imminent danger and used cautiously to avoid escalation.

Genetic Transmission Evidence

Higher prevalence of bipolar disorder among first-degree relatives supports a hereditary component in etiology.

Seclusion

Restrictive intervention used only when less invasive measures fail and the manic client poses immediate danger to self or others.

Hypomania

Milder form of mania with elevated mood and activity that does not cause marked impairment or psychosis.

Mood Stabilizer

Medication class (lithium, anticonvulsants, some antipsychotics) that controls manic and depressive episodes in bipolar disorder.