Interview of a Patient with Bipolar

Jess (Patient)

My Moods and Emotions

​A picture collection of my highs and lows.

At times I feel like I can do anything and everything. Other times I have a hard time getting out of bed. Sometimes I'm irritable and I'm mean to the ones I love. Other times I shower them with love or gifts. One week I'll be able to create and write for hours... long into the nights. Some weeks I can hardly create anything, so I mostly just stay in bed. Many weekends I  live for eating and drinking. Other times I'd rather be alone to think about my regrets. I should be more happy, and more stable for my family, but it seems I'm a spectrum of emotions.

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Dr. Green (Primary Care Doctor)

​​There's a condition called, Bipolar disorder. It can cause fluctuating changes in mood, energy, activity,
and focus. Everyone goes through normal ups and downs, but bipolar disorder is different. The range of mood
changes are much greater. 
​The ups are called manic episodes. Emotions are escalated... for example you may feel very happy or very irritable, which increases activity level. 
The downs are called depressive episodes. Emotions are dampened like you may feel very sad, indifferent,
or hopeless, which causes low activity level. 

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Jess (Patient)

What you explained sounds a lot like me. What can we do to manage Bipolar Disorder?

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Dr. Green (Primary Care Doctor)

I would like to form team to develop a management plan. I will start today by asking my nurse to provide more education on Bipolar Disorder. This will include education on the three types of Bipolar Disorder and Treatment Options. I will additionally involve my colleague who is a psychiatrist to provide therapy and a dietitian to plan meal and workout plans. We will continue to monitor your progress and will evolve the management plan as needed. 

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Jess (Patient)

Thanks Dr. Green. I look forward to learning from the team, and having the team learn from me. I know I have to do my part by following the prescribed plan. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and helping me with my Bipolar Disorder.

Jess's Symptoms of Bipolar

High Activity (Manic Episode)

• Feeling very happy or irritable
• Jumpy, wired, or active
• Less need for sleep
• Talking fast on many topics
• Excessive pleasurable activities
• Do a lot of things at once
• Feeling of higher importance

Low Activity (Depressive Episode)

• Feeling sad and anxious
• Slowed and restless
• Trouble concentrating
• Poor or too much
• Slow talking and forgetting
• Lack of interest in activities
• Feeling hopeless

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Treatments For Bipolar Disorder

• Medications
  
  • Talk with your doctor about your options.
• Therapy (Psychotherapy)
  • Psychotherapy is often used in combination with medications. These are techniques that help identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
    
• Brain Stimulation
• Regular Exercise
• Healthy Diet
• Regular Sleep
• Documentation of Symptoms