Bipolar Disorder Treatment

Depressive symptoms start occurring around the beginning of the 5th grade. Hypothetical patient experiences loss of motivation and will not go to school. They isolate themselves and feel empty.

Patient is in a manic state. They are very irritable and feel as though they can take on the world. This has a large effect on school and studying. The patient may memorize entire chapters of the textbook to prepare for a test.

The patient again feels depressed. Along with experiencing depressive symptoms, they start self-harming and have suicidal idealizations.

The patient is hospitalized for plans to commit suicide. This is a residential treatment center where the patient must complete a specific treatment plan. The stay lasts about a week and a half before discharge.

While at the treatment center, the patient is interviewed by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist diagnoses the patient with bipolar disorder because of their manic and depressive episodes.

The patient starts individual therapy. They use this to get help on their problems and learn ways to cope with their problems.

The patient starts to experience a depressive episode again. As a way of coping, they resort to bulimia.

The patient is admitted into an outpatient program to help their recovery from this mental illness. The patient must go to the treatment center for three days a week for four hours each. The patient participates in group sessions.

The patient makes a decision to start their recovery. They recognize they have a problem and want to get better.