This is a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher Chris Jocham: jocham@fultonschools.org

2. Bipolar Symptoms
The primary symptoms of bipolar
disorder are dramatic and
unpredictable mood swings from
excessive happiness to extreme
depression.

3. Mania Symptoms
During the “high” stage,
symptoms may include
excessive happiness, excitement,
irritability, restlessness,
increased energy, less need for
sleep, racing thoughts, and high
sex drive.

4. Depression Symptoms
During the “low” stage,
symptoms may include sadness,
anxiety, irritability, loss of
energy, uncontrollable crying,
change in appetite causing
weight loss or gain, increased
need for sleep, difficulty making
decisions, and thoughts of death or
suicide.

5. I love happy days. I feel like
flying and greeting everyone.
Everything becomes better when
I’m in a good mood. I reach out
to everyone and become a social
butterfly. I just cannot keep still
or stop smiling.

6. Everything’s wrong. I don’t have
a boyfriend, I can barely keep up with
my job, I never want to see myself in
the mirror, and nobody cares about
me. What is the point of even living
this life? I’m done trying.

7. Bipolar I
A person affected by bipolar I
disorder has had at least one
manic episode in his or her life.
A manic episode is a period of
abnormally elevated mood,
accompanied by abnormal
behavior that disrupts life.

8. Bipolar II
Bipolar II is similar to bipolar
I disorder, with moods
cycling between high and low
over time. However, in
bipolar II disorder, the "up"
moods never reach full-on
mania.

9. Rapid Cycling
In rapid cycling, a person with
bipolar disorder experiences
four or more episodes of mania
or depression in one year.

10. Mixed Bipolar
In most forms of bipolar
disorder, moods alternate
between elevated and
depressed over time. But with
mixed bipolar disorder, a person
experiences both mania and
depression simultaneously or in
rapid sequence.

11. I have been diagnosed with Rapid
Cycling Bipolar Disorder. My only
optimistic perspective is that it
could be worse, but I’ve been told
that I will experience many polar
episodes within a year. The
people involved in my life are
bound to see me at either stage,
so I hope they understand where
I’m coming from and are
supportive.

12. Doctors have come far in
understanding the different moods that
are present in someone with bipolar
disorder. Therefore, an accurate
diagnosis these days is very probable.
However, the diagnosis for this mental
disorder is made only after examining
careful notes of symptoms, including
their severity, length, and frequency.

13. When I received my diagnosis, I didn’t
know how to react – I guess not
knowing my mood made sense after
learning I was bipolar. I knew my
family and friends would be at ease
knowing what exactly I have so they
could try to help me. But it wasn’t
exactly the best feeling to know that I
have a mental disorder. I felt like a
crazy person walking out of the office.

14. Medications
Patients of Bipolar Disorder are
likely to take medications for
the rest of their lives. Medicines
include antipsychotic drugs,
benzodiazepine, lithium, and
select mood stabilizers.

15. I guess I’ve become used to taking
pills every morning now. It’s become
part of the daily routine before I
leave my apartment. My doctor is
scared that after sleepless nights, I’ll
disregard my prescription which will
hinder any progression I may have
been making. So far, I haven’t
missed any days. I wish it would just
make me normal though.

16. Therapy
Along with medication, psychotherapy is
an important part of the treatment process for
those with bipolar disorder.During therapy,
discussions about feelings, thoughts, and
behaviors that cause problems arise.

17. As much as I hate the idea of having to hire a
therapist, I must admit I like having someone to
talk to. I feel really lonely sometimes and feel
like no one else understands me but him. He
gives me great optimism but sometimes I
question if he’s always on my side. I hope he’s
not just after my money.

18. Pep talks can only help so
much. My doctor has prescribed
psychotherapy sessions at least
once a month. However, the
effects of talk therapy are not as
long-lasting as I would hope for.
I’m spending too much money
on it and I may just have to
persuade my doctor to allow me
to discontinue these sessions. I
just have to prove to him that
I’m getting better. How? I have
no idea.

19. My true support system is my
mother. However, old age has
made her less mobile and thus
she can’t fly out to come visit
me often. She hopes for the best
for me and I know she lives with
guilt that she may have
somehow contributed to me
having the disorder. I don’t
think she has. Mom is the only
family I have so I value our
relationship a lot.

20. A study of hospitalized patients with
mania or mixed episode found that
50% achieved recovery within six
weeks and 98% within two years.
However, 40% went on to experience a
new episode of mania or depression
within 2 years of recovery.