Case Study 2: Bipolar 1 Disorder
The Case study of Andrea, an ambitious woman at the epitome of her career, is a good illustration of the detrimental effects of bipolar disorders. Bipolar 1 disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by a cycle of manic episodes and depression. The story is based on a very functional woman working in a non-profit organization which ends up having a psychotic phase.
Andrea’s disorder was gradual, where she is insomniac and over-indulgent in her wedding plans. After a period of lack of sleep and feeling fatigued, she opts to seek for professional help. Her doctor diagnoses her with depression and prescribes anti-depressants which she overlooks for a natural approach to treat her depression. Her natural approach seems to work for a while, and her energy levels increases. She is, however, still insomniac and very irritable. Andrea gets a major psychotic episode where she is adamant; she needs to meet the First Lady.
Andrea’s family intervention was very vital in ensuring she received help. Unlike the first instance of depression, Andrea was in denial of her mental instability. Diagnosing Bipolar 1 disorder requires a careful assessment to disregard other psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, borderline personality disorders and other illnesses with similar symptoms. In the case of Andrea, her family history with bipolar was very significant since the disease has a genetic basis.
Treatment of bipolar 1 disorder requires a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Andrea was prescribed lithium and quetiapine as mood stabilizers. Quetiapine is a rapid-acting antipsychotic drug that was needed to initiate mood stabilization faster than lithium could. As expected, the treatments produced a positive outcome and Andrea was back to a rational woman.
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