Final answer:
Stress can trigger bipolar patients to cycle, leading to mood episodes that disrupt the brain's chemical balance. These episodes impact concentration, memory, and interest in activities, thus affecting educational performance. Bipolar disorder requires careful management to reduce the impact of these cycles.
Step-by-step explanation:
One thing that can trigger bipolar patients to cycle is stress. Stressful life events or significant changes in one's life can lead to episodes of depression or mania in individuals with bipolar disorder. This is because stress affects the brain's chemistry and can disrupt the balance that individuals with bipolar disorder strive to maintain.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by the alternation of depressive and manic episodes. Manic episodes can manifest through a lack of concentration, distraction, and loss of interest in activities, including school. Depressive episodes may result in fatigue, sleep problems, and memory challenges, which also negatively impact educational performance.
Mood disorders, of which bipolar disorder is a part, are common in the United States. The National Institute of Mental Health indicates that mood disorders are among the most frequent causes of illness-related hospitalization. Bipolar disorder, which was formerly known as manic depression, can significantly hinder a person's ability to carry out daily tasks due to the extreme shifts in energy and mood.