Bipolar Disorder Manic Depressive Illness - Free Essay Example

Bipolar Disorder is also commonly referred to as manic-depressive illness and is often classified by mood swings, euphoria, reckless behavior, increased physical activity, and racing thoughts. The key identifying feature found in Bipolar Disorder patients is, the tendency of manic episodes to alternate with major depressive episodes in an unending roller-coaster ride from the peaks of elation to the depths of despair (Durand Barlow, 2016). There are two types of Bipolar Disorder; Bipolar Disorder I II, and they differ by the manic episodes. Bipolar Disorder I is referred to as having major depressive episodes that are alternate with hypomanic episodes instead of full manic episodes. The II version is described as the same except the fact that the individuals find themselves experiencing full manic episodes. Bipolar Disorder is a very common disorder that we see throughout our lives. This life-altering experience affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S population age 18 and older every year(OBSA). Throughout the rest of this paper, I will be further discussing a deeper analysis of Bipolar Disorder and the treatments that are available, while incorporating its relativity to the film, Silver Linings Playbook and the character Patrick Solitano Jr. Bipolar Disorder, just like any other mental illness, is hard to scientifically pinpoint to exactly what causes it, why it happens, and how to prevent it. The diagnosis, just like any other disease will be hard to detect, as there will be many contributions that contribute to diseases like this to arise. According to the article, Spatial vision loss in bipolar disorder: Case series and literature review, it is known that, [the] etiology involves genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors () Meaning that there are many factors that are involved when it comes to the etiology of Bipolar Disorder. However, the diagnoses that I found in the film consist of: speech switching from loud to incoherent, mood switches triggered by different to pics, flashbacks of manic episodes, severe mood changes, delusions, irrational thought processes, and the unsteady grasp to impulse control. Studies, previously have been conducted that allow us to understand that Bipolar Disorder has many diverse symptoms, which leads to the diagnosis and treatment being mislead. Therefore, when conducting a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, the performance has to be done very carefully. The quality of life that an individual will experience when suffering from Bipolar Disorder will be altering as their attention, memory, and executive function will be affected the most. According to the DSM V criteria, it should be known that a single manic episode should be moderate in Bipolar I Disorder. The MDQ, Mood Disorder Questionnaire is used to detect mood disorders, and in the circumstances of the film, Pat met all criteria for a positive screen for Bipolar Disorder. Last but not least, the DSM V criteria ruled out Schizophrenia, Mood disorder with Psychotic features, and Borderline Personality Disorder. However, My research consisted of the inconsistency of Borderline Personality Disorder correlating with Bipolar Disorder. There are so many identifying features in individuals that end up leading to being called a disorder, so its truly confusing when it comes to iden tifying the single cause of someones behavior. After conducting research, I found that the non-existing correlation between Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder to be prevalent due to its many years of wondering so. In similarity to the film, it is quite possible to come to the conclusion that Pat could also be facing Borderline Personality Disorder, but the research I have studied proves that they actually do not correlate, thus allowing the readers to further identify Bipolar Disorder and what it does to someone who is suffering with it. Throughout the years, doctors and researchers have debated whether or not bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder is simultaneously present in borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients as well. While some believe that borderline personality is located somewhere on the bipolar spectrum. (Zimmerman 847), the previous studies performed to support that theory often proved unreliable and questionable results. Each mood disorder is differentiated using certain behavioral criteria. Some of these criteria elements are questioned to be present within or related to other disorders. It is these questions that sparked the interest of The Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services project in 2013, leading to the advancement of further research. M.D Mark Zimmerman and his colleagues motives were crystal clear- to finally reveal the truth behind what similar characteristics occur within each mood disorder by identifying the relationship between the behavioral patterns. (147) To ensure the reliability of this study, the psychologists and research assistants went through months of training to help them gain of a better understanding of how to interview the subjects and acquire the knowledge necessary to diagnose them and make possible connections. Their hypothesis was that borderline personality disorder appears differently in those with bipolar disorder than it does in those with major depressive disorder. (Zimmerman 847) To perform this particular study, 277 psychiatric patients obtaining bipolar disorder (47) and major depressive disorder (231) were brought into the Rhode Island Hospital for numerous interviews and close examination. The subjects of this study consisted of 74 men and 203 women, each between the ages of 17 and 68. All of the people selected for the experiment received various levels of education and had contrasting marital statuses. Although 85 percent of the patients were Caucasian, the remaining 15 percent consisted of African American s, Hispanics, Asians, and multiracial Americans. Joint-interviews were performed individually by qualified professionals to see what borderline personality disorder characteristics were present in those with each mood disorder. Raters would independently record their ratings on what criteria they believed those patients obtained and later compare their results (Zimmerman 849). The questions being asked in these interviews were based on the criteria of borderline personality disorder such as fear of abandonment, communication problems with others, identity disturbance, impulsive behavior, suicidal thoughts, anger, and transient dissociation (Zimmerman 850). The variables within this experiments are nominal, meaning that they have no natural order because they are testing each persons individual personality which cannot be controlled. The researchers used the gathered evidence from the interviews to create an RxC Table to compare the results between the two types of patients and their shared borderline personality disorder traits. On the left side of the table, the criteria for BPD was listed and the columns on the right were separated between the 47 bipolar disorder patients and the 231 patients suffering from a major depressive disorder. Reviewing the results in their chart showed that the two main BPD characteristics that the bipolar patients shared were impulsive behavior and transient dissociation, but they were not present or significant in those with major depressive disorder. (Zimmerman 850) According to The International Society for the Study of Dissociation, transient dissociation is when that person loses their internal connection to their thoughts, memories, or sense of self. This, along with being extremely impulsive when upset or angered, was found to be present more frequently in those experiencing bipolar depression than it was in those with major depressive disorder. It was through the use of the raters questions that these researchers were able to finally conclude that borderline personality disorder does, in fact, present itself differently and is less effective in identifying those without bipolar depression. There was no found correlation between major depressive disorder and borderline personality disorder, despite previous theories (Zimmerman 850). The researchers proved their hypothesis. In the movie Silver Linings Playbook, bipolar disorder was being portrayed strongly by the main character Patrick Solitano Jr. He and his disorder can be described best as abnormal. Abnormality, in Pats case, can be based upon the inability to function effectively and sense personal discomfort. Pat is a middle-aged man that has lost his job, left the mental hospital, and is returning home to live with his parents, which is not seen as normal for a man his age in the eyes of society. His random violent outbursts also contribute to show how his actions, thou ghts, and attitudes differ from the ones that most people experience. One prime example of how Pat was displayed as abnormal or different from those within his community was the boy trying to record his outburst for school and the frightened teacher of his former school. These people believed that Pats actions were unacceptable and therefore made him stand out negatively. Pat Solitano suffers from undiagnosed bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is often classified by mood swings, euphoria, reckless behavior, increased physical activity, and racing thoughts. Pat Solitano experienced all of these quite frequently throughout the movie. His constant mood swings are shown in the psychologists office when his wedding song is played when his call to Nikki is refused by his parents, and while tailgating/fighting at the Philadelphia Eagles game. Despite these sad or angry moods that he gets in, he still experiences phases of euphoria or a false sense of happiness. This is expressed through his determination to reach excelsior, search for silver linings in everything, and better himself. In Pats mind, he will get back together with Nikki and get back his old job as a substitute history teacher. He also partakes in more workouts and runs with trash bags on, drastically increasing his amount of physical activity. I believe that all of these symptoms of bipolar dis order are wonderfully and artistically displayed throughout the entire movie, especially the racing thoughts. The movie not only shows accurate symptoms but it also accurately portrays the constant battle that many bipolar patients have while trying to manage and express their emotions. The writer also slyly shows scenes of repressed images that have led to Pats current mental/emotional status within the film. In the movie, Silver Linings Playbook Pats treatment included being admitted into a mental hospital in Baltimore for 8 months, weekly therapy with Dr. Patel, and different medications such as Seroquel and Abilify. However, he often rejects the pills because he says that they make his mind foggy. All of these forms of treatment are realistic and appropriate for the time and place that this movie takes place. Bipolar Disorder is equivalent to depressive disorders, and the problem with treatment is the refusal among the patients, who admittedly deny of having a problem of any sort. People with bipolar disorder today are prescribed forms of mood stabilizers and can be hospitalized for reckless behavior and suicidal thoughts. The most popular type of treatment is antidepressants, which are used to treat depressive disorders. They also help with inducing manic episodes, which is found in Bipolar Disorder. According to our textbook, 50% of bipolar patients respond well to lithium initially, meaning at least a 50% reduction in manic symptoms. (Durand Barlow, 2016, p. 230) However, it is widely known that everyones body responds differently to medications, so even though lithium will work for some, it doesnt mean it will work for all. Thats why we find in the film different treatment methods such as therapy sessions, and medications that vary from Seroquel to Abilify. I believe that the movie truly uncovered the true identity behind Bipolar Disorder as it affected Pats life, family, and friends. For example, Pats bipolar disorder negatively affected a few of his family members such as his soon-to-be ex-wife, Nikki, his mother, father, and brother. The marriage between Nikki and Pat was tarnished because of his angry mood swings and his original illusions of an affair. This later led to the brutal beating of the man that Nikki cheated on Pat with. Because of this beating, Pat was sentenced to 8 months in the mental hospital, putting an emotional strain on his family members. His mother and father had to let him live in their house following his in-patient visit in Baltimore because he was basically set back to square one after losing his wife and home. All of this is very realistic because the mood swings and manias that a person suffering from bipolar disorder experiences often become too much for loved ones that dont know how to help them. You co uld see this through Pats dad especially. He was very saddened and heartbroken to see Pat in this state, knowing that he couldve done more for him growing up. Everything in the film, is an accurate diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, and that is why my diagnosis, is pinpointed through Pats decisions, and the effect it portrays on his family as a whole. Personally, I believe that the best treatment plan for Pat is to undergo Cognitive Behavior Therapy with exposure therapies. These involve relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mood monitoring, imaginal exposure, and coping techniques to help Pat with his stress/emotion control, as well as cognitive restructuring. Overall, Bipolar Disorder is easy to understand when correlating it to a mood disorder. It is commonly found throughout individuals throughout the world for many underlying reasons. In the film, Silver Linings Playbook, you get a true perspective of what people go through when they are either suffering from Bipolar Disorder or know a loved one who is suffering from Bipolar Disorder. Either way, the film is a great way to fully understand the effects of Bipolar Disorder and how one can identify the diagnosis and treatment. Although critics will argue my standpoint, I still find the film to be a great way to identifying the characteristics of Bipolar Disorder and how it relates to the understanding of its etiology, prevalence, and prognosis.