Bipolar Case Studies

The symptoms of depression usually vary from person to person; symptoms can either be severe or moderate. Some people can be indecisive, have uncontrollable sobbing, and feelings of despair, anger, and worthlessness. People with moderate symptoms might still be able to function, but their depression can cause them to lack a feeling of pleasure or ambition. As the above symptoms suggest, depression has to do with a lot more than just being sad. Depression symptoms can interfere with five areas of functioning: emotional, motivational, behavioral, cognitive, and physical. Depression can affect

In my culture, society looks down on mental illness, and when news of mental illness gets out in the society, one’s reputation is pretty much destroyed. My elder brother, Imran, was misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was a teenager. My family was still living in Bangladesh at the time, and my brother’s illness was treated as a secret by my parents. My parents went above and beyond to hide my brother’s illness because we come from a culture that is quick to condemn parents for their children being abnormal. My family felt very protective of the fact that we had mental illness in our family. Family visitation and guests in our home were strictly monitored by my mother and my siblings, and I was coached to make excuses for my brother. My brother’s illness shaped me as a person because I realized that I needed to be able to overcome the obstacles life throws in my way in order to take care of my family.

depression gets to where it is too much, then the mother may need to be put on antidepressant medicine, such as Zoloft, or the mother may need to go to a psychiatric hospital for treatment (Benson 1404). When the mother is feeling unwell, the family needs to take on as much of the housework that the mother wants to give up. However, when she feels better then the family needs to let her do as much as she wants to (Mothersbliss). Jane's treatment takes care of her physically, but Jane

First, I would directly ask about both sides of the bipolar spectrum – mania and depression. During my interaction with the patient, I primarily focused on the depressive side of mania, as that is the side of the bipolar disorder that the patient was currently exhibiting. The patient did not exhibit any signs of mania, and had not exhibited mania since being in the facility, so I did not focus my attention on this topic. To gain a comprehensive assessment on the patient, it would have been beneficially to at least bring up mania signs and symptoms with the patient. As stated in class, not all bipolar patients will admit to the mania symptoms, as patients tend to enjoy the increased energy and productivity levels. If I would have discussed this information with the patient, he may have noted that these symptoms directly correlate to his diagnosis. Second, after completing my assessment, I would work toward acquiring a support system for the patient, outside of the hospital. Through the conversation, I did acquire the knowledge that the patient does not have family or children nearby, but I did not gather information on support systems beyond the family. Various support systems I could look at for this patient include: Veterans, sexual abuse victims, gay men, and elders without family. Outside of the VA hospital, a veteran’s success relates to the amount of

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is an independent support group that provide a caring environment for people to come together to discuss their challenges and successes in living with a mood disorder, or supporting a loved one with a mood disorder. It provides a forum for mutual understanding, self-discovery, and finding a path to wellness with support from others who have been there. It is a group provides support, outreach and advocacy for people living with mood disorders across the country. It educates its member about the nature of mood disorders as treatable medical illnesses and improving access to mental health services and increasing awareness about mental health issue.

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by drastic mood swings ranging from immense euphoria to extreme depression. People with bipolar disorder are likely to experience a lack of energy, participation in normal social activities, and the ability to complete daily routines. This can cause interpersonal relationships and work-life to suffer. They may also have strong thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide as a result of bipolar disorder. The cause of bipolar disorder is still undetermined, but its tendency to run in families shows that it is likely due to an inherited genetic malfunction.

There is an illness like none other, that sweeps across nations but is not contagious. It withdraws any and all feelings of all from from every area of life. Many experience it after a specific situation that elicits extreme sadness, loss, or pain. Other’s feel it for no apparent reason and are left seemingly to fend for themselves in the only dark abyss that they know. This malady is known as depression affects many people of all kinds every singly year. If the world knew how depression truly affects its victims, it would realize it’s not merely a mood or emotion one experiences, but rather a true and physical disease.

Depression is a leading cause of death among adolescents- So why aren’t we doing more about it? “Experts estimate that 5% of all adolescents will suffer from depression. Unfortunately, only 20% of depressed adolescents are appropriately diagnosed and treated” (DBSA). A depressive disorder is a disease that affects mood, thoughts and behavior. It is also the reaction of the human to the unfavorable surroundings or environment. DBSA otherwise known as Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance states, “When a bad day turns into a bad week, month or more, there may be a medical explanation for this change in behavior of feelings of hopelessness” (DBSA). Many parents may think that a young adolescent is moody or unhappy because it is a natural part of being young and growing up. However, “Persistent unhappiness or moodiness is not normal for anyone” (DBSA). If depression was better recognized, treatment was more readily available, and depressed adolescents adhered to treatment, adolescent life could be enjoyed by millions that would otherwise suffer.

She reported no exposure to mental health professional, she denies any family history of mental health or substance problems in biologically related family

There are many ways to approach many different disorders but there can only be one solution that is best. Depending on what the disorder is there has to be certain precaution taken. Susie is a women that does not know what her issue is. All she knows is that something she thinks these things and because she is thinking them she must be right. She also has these emotions that are high, high enough to where she believes that she is on the top of the world and nothing can stop her. Sues has moods where she thinks she is another kind of humanity. She also goes to a dark place where she is so sad and does not know what to do that she sits and contemplates ending her life, essentially committing suicide. But what Susie has is an

J.C., is a 41 year old female with a history of bipolar disease, who presented to the psychiatric department by EMS activated by shelter staff. She was brought in since she was presenting with manic behavior and psychotic thoughts. She currently lives in uptown Manhattan in an independent home but previously lived in a women’s shelter. She returned to the shelter, where she spoke words of retaliation and guns, and talked about her acquaintances at the shelter and her ex-husband however, she did not speak of any plan. The staff called EMS reporting this behavior and EMS then brought her to the hospital. On admission, she reported walking to and from Manhattan and the Bronx. She also has psychomotor agitation and has difficulty sitting down. She reports not taking her psychotic medication for the past 9 months. In addition, she reports no suicidal ideation, and has no history of violence. She also reports using substances such as marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol. She also smokes ¼ pack of cigarettes a day.

"because previous generations were less likely to diagnose bipolar disorder, affected family members may have ben written off as the "crazy Auntie", with troubling behaviors such as alcoholism, frequent periods of unemployment, dysfunctional personal relationships, bankruptcies or imprisonment.

her disorder. My mom has been in treatment for over a year now, and along with her treatment

When at family events she tends to not be interested like she once was. My grandmother also now has the mindset of a child. She tends to do things, like going through draws, and playing with harmful objects. The ramifications to her situation is now she can’t be alone. My grandmother now has to be under supervision. The supervision is to protect her, and make sure she takes her medication. She is now doing better now that we know how to handle this disorder.

Till about a few months ago my mom was the relief society president in my ward. She has handled many crazy things and has gone threw a lot, but the one that was the craziest was this lady in our ward who would overdose on her medicine. My mom and our bishop were the ones who handled it. She lived with another lady in our ward, but because she had this addiction to her medicine her roommate kick her out of the condo. She was in and out of multiply hospitals, and had threatened to commit suicide. She also got kicked out of a lot of hospitals. Because my mom was helping with her we didn’t see her very often. At the end of it all my mom and our bishop told her that they couldn’t help her any more. So they put her in a psych ward and we haven't seen her since.