Rachel Heuser

Honors in Nursing

Major: Nursing

Supervisor: Jeanne Kemppainen, Nursing

Bipolar Disorder and Genetics: Predispositino and Clinical Implications of Nursing Practice

The role of genetics in determining whether a person will exhibit signs and symptoms of Bipolar Disorder over the course of their lifetime has been disputed since the disorder became a legitimate psychiatric diagnosis. The impact of the definitive knowledge of genetic predisposition to the disorder impacts both patient treatment and nursing practice. With the discovery of genetic markers for the disorder, treatment can be advocated (primarily by the nurse) for a combination of both medication therapy (which treats the chemical imbalances caused by the disorder) and psychotherapy (which is beneficial for allowing the patient to therapeutically communicate with a professional) instead of treatment aimed at either medicine or psychotherapy alone. Additionally, nurses play a pivotal role in being able to counsel patients regarding the possibility of heredity of the disorder by being the health care professional that the patient has the most contact with. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to review the literature regarding discovered loci on chromosomes for bipolar disorder and to use this information to provide conclusions on the impact that nursing can have on bipolar patients. Methodology: An extensive review of the literature on bipolar disorders and genetic predisposition was conducting using CINAHL, EBSCO, OVID, and PUBMED internet databases. Psychiatric textbooks as well as genetics textbooks were also consulted during the research process. Findings: Several specific loci on chromosomes have been discovered as possible locations of traits for bipolar disorder. The current literature focuses on gaining access to these locations as well as searching for one definitive locus (which has yet to be found). Treatment modalities as well as essential points to be applied to nursing practice are discussed. Clinical Implications: By being the health care professional that has the most access to the patient, nurses are in a unique position to be able to advocate for the best patient care. Educating nurses about genetics can enlighten them about the disorder and allow them to answer questions from patients such as appropriate treatment methods and heredity risk, affecting the patient and family profoundly.