Bipolar 1 Suicide Case Study

It is my assumption that the client has Bipolar 1 Disorder due to her manic episode of one suicide attempt when she was fourteen, which would rule out Bipolar 2 Disorder. I struggle with correlating the Hypomanic episode however according to this case her mood is subsequently reactive to favorable events. Small attentions from her therapist or her boyfriend can cause her to feel really good for hours at a time. This is also exhibited with her constant completion and somewhat success in the education department. Clearly, client has major depressive episodes that occurred throughout Ellen’s life. Ellen says she was depressed most of the time during the months before her consultation. Client also gained about 10 pounds because she was constantly

nibbling on chips or cookies or making herself peanut butter sandwiches. “She often awakened in the middle of the night, was unable to go back to sleep for hours, and then overslept the following day, often sleeping up to 18 hours. She says she feels like dead weight, her legs and arms are heavy, and she is always tired. She ruminates about her own failures and cannot concentrate on any serious reading”. Initially it indicated that it was clearly Major Depressive Disorder, but with further examination that disorder was also ruled out due to other correlating disorders.

Her issues with her father drug abuse could have trigger the start of her depressions and her manic behaviors. That non-existing family support as a child could have contributed Ellen feelings of lost and despair, which would of took part in her suicide attempt as a child. Though Ellen has never tried to kill her self again afterwards, or receive any hospitalization treatment due to this behavior, it raised some concerns. For further criterion client should be monitored and treated with potential risk due to the past history. Family therapy may also be a recommendation with her boyfriend to address issues that may hinder them perusing growth in their relationship. Those counseling session may prove to be positive outcomes for Ellen mental health.

Client may even need to seek medication to treat her Bipolar 1 Disorder. This is necessary because of the long periods of depression going untreated and not seeming to be resolved. Client will benefit from the use a medication and may even feel happier after constant use. I recommend client to not only seek individual counseling while using medication, but client can also benefit from support groups. This will help client to share concerns with peers to build a network of people who are suffering from the same diagnosis. Peer support is always beneficial to individuals suffering from any diagnosis.