George Lawler Case Study

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George Lawler is a 35-year-old male who has been hospitalized for psychological reasons. He is married with two children. Prior to his hospitalization, George was employed as a physical education professor and the coach of the reputable men and women’s track teams at a junior college. Within his lifetime, George has experienced multiple manic and depressive episodes consistent with bipolar I disorder. This diagnosis is possible because George has suffered from at least one manic episode; George has also experienced depressive episodes, which are common, but not required, occurrences in the disorder. The case study describes three different bipolar episodes and indicates that more have occurred. First, George experienced a depressive episode …show more content…

Secondly, George experienced a depressive episode during his employment at the junior college once he found out that his assistant coach was leaving the track teams to pursue other opportunities. Throughout this episode, George exhibited symptoms of depression such as exhaustion, sleep issues, rumination, hopelessness, and guilt. He questioned his presence in the world and resorted to considering suicide as an option, which indicated the severity of his condition. Thirdly, George demonstrated manic symptoms during an important week for his track teams. He neglected his sleeping needs, talked egoistically and profusely about his reputable track teams to anyone around him, and engaged in risky behaviors, such as bringing a sword to a track meet. The climax of this episode occurred in an interview when George revealed that he would use the fundraiser money intended for the track sector of the college to go on a trip with of the female athletes to a meet in another state, which led to the department-wide search for George, a range of arguments, and delusions, where George claimed that he was given the …show more content…

A biological origin could be George’s genetics. His uncle Ralph had a history of mental illness, and bipolar disorder is closely associated with genetics (Wiley). On the other hand, a psychosocial origin could be reward sensitivity. George’s track teams are considerably recognized on the college campus, and George also won an award for his coaching abilities prior to the climax of the third manic episode. This reward sensitivity could have led to the delusion that he was named the Olympic track team’s head coach. An expected prognosis for George’s condition is that he will improve provided that he mentally and physically accepts the help he needs. If he refuses to cooperate and face reality in the hospital, his condition will not improve. The main issue is that George alternates between highs and lows in his disorder, and he has resorted to considering suicide at one point in his lifetime. According to Health Central, patients with bipolar I disorder typically have more health issues and are also in greater danger of committing suicide (Health

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