Character Analysis: The Silver Linings Playbook

In the Silver Linings Playbook, there is once case that stood out to me from all the rest. The main character, Pat, is diagnosed with having bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be broken down into bipolar I and bipolar II. In the movie, it doesn’t state which type Pat has but if I could take a guess, I would probably say bipolar I. People with bipolar I disorder have full manic and major depressive episodes.

A manic episode is defined as a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least one week that includes symptoms such as inflated self-esteem, impulsive behavior, increased rate of speech, and decreased need for sleep. People going through a mania episode will seem more excited,

want to be more involved and seek out another companion. They will take on new risk and challenges, seeking out new friends and old friends. They are always on the go, talking rapidly and loudly with very sudden outburst. Even though they seem like they’re on top of the world, in reality they will make rash decisions and are very poorly at planning out and thinking about the consequences. Some people will get so bad that they will start to lose touch with reality. Their sleep pattern is very irregular, getting very little sleep but remaining wide awake for days at a time. A major depressive episode would include feelings of hopelessness, sadness or emptiness, irritability, inability to experience pleasure, loss of energy, physical and mental fatigue, sleep problem, etc.