Case Study of Bipolar Disorder

Case Study of Bipolar Disorder

Dealing with bipolar disorder has always been a stressful moment for Alice, a 23-year-old accounting student. Alice had grand dreams of becoming a renowned accountant from her family who majored in environmental and social sciences. However, she had increased her time drinking at various clubs, which has raised concern among her colleagues. Apart from excessive drinking, Alice has resorted to irresponsible sexual behaviors where she could visit several men weekly. Alice’s friend confessed that often she could get easily irritated by inconsequential things that people can ignore (Ayano et al., 2020). Alice’s parents got shocked by the new development in their daughter’s life as they never expected such behaviors from her. The diagnosis process has not been easy since no one can confidently explain the source of Alice’s predicament.

Bipolar disorder is a condition that confines its victims to a weird kind of life. Many individuals with bipolar disorder often experience episodes of depression, reduced urge for sleep, over-excitement, and irritability (Kendler, 2020). The symptoms in individuals vary depending on various factors such as genetic disorders, environment, and psychological pressures. Alice’s condition can get examined from different perspectives during the diagnosis and treatment. No two people who suffer from bipolar exhibit the same conditions since it is personal (Ayano et al., 2020). Some people suffering from bipolar has indicated low self-esteem and find it difficult to interact with others freely. Alice’s case presents a situation where she gets irritated when in the company of others but feels good when alone. Alice gets attracted only to people she can have sexual relationships with but not classmates with whom they can share school work.

If Alice is left without intervention, her condition will likely worsen and destroy her relationship with others. Bipolar disorder affects patients in several ways, like in Alice’s case. In most cases, Alice will continue to portray mood swings whenever she gets to class for her lessons. Alice will swing into a deep depression and need an antidepressant to get along with others (Ayano et al., 2020). Bipolar disorder will cause Alice to develop the habit of isolating herself since whenever people get around, her irritation will be all over. Alice will also get addicted to sexual immorality that she cannot do without sleeping around. Bipolar disorder pushes people to do things against their wishes, but they got no control over their actions (Ayano et al., 2020). In addition, Bipolar disorder will cause embarrassment to Alice whenever she gets drunk in front of her family members.

The causes of bipolar disorder can be explained using the diathesis-stress and staging models. First, the diathesis-stress model posits that every person diagnosed with bipolar disorder may have adopted particular physical vulnerabilities to life challenges due to their life experiences (Kendler, 2020). The model further explains that many people with bipolar disorder are likely to have inherited the condition from their parent’s genes, and some physical factors triggered it. As a result, some people have greater dispositions and vulnerabilities than others due to their genotypes and life experiences (Ayano et al., 2020). Generally, the diathesis-stress model postulates that depression, anxieties, or mood swings associated with bipolar disorders get influenced by a combination of inherited factors.

Secondly, the staging model forms another basis for understanding the causes of bipolar disorders. The model generally stipulates that bipolar disorders occur throughout the victim’s life cycle (Ayano et al., 2020). The episodic period includes severe disorder conditions at every stage and phase of the victim’s life. Patients with bipolar disorder present varying symptoms of bipolar disorder at every stage of their lives. The stages progress in severity in patients’ condition to the extent that when they get to stage IV, they can no longer live autonomously and also present altered brains. 

References

Ayano, G., Shumet, S., Tesfaw, G., & Tsegay, L. (2020). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of bipolar disorder among homeless people. BMC public health, 20(1), 1-10.

Kendler, K. S. (2020). A prehistory of the diathesis-stress model: predisposing and exciting causes of insanity in the 19th century. American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(7), 576-588.