DUMASQ-MFT6102-11
Running head: DUMASQ-MFT6102-11 1
Signature Assignment
Quanetta Dumas
Northcentral University
, DUMASQ-MFT6102-11 2
Introduction
According to the American Psychological Association (2018), Bipolar disorder is a
severe mental disorder where an individual’s emotions become intensified and erratic. Their
emotions can quickly change from cheerfulness, high energy, and lucidity to unhappiness,
exhaustion, and confusion. This mood or emotional rollercoaster can be so traumatic that an
individual may think of and try to commit suicide. The DSM-V (2013) explains the bipolar I
disorder and bipolar II disorder as two separate disorders with different diagnostic criteria.
Bipolar I Disorder diagnoses require the client to meet the criteria of a full manic episode
without having to have experienced a depressive episode. A manic episode would have to include
at least 3 of the following symptoms: an increase in self-esteem, energy level, risk-taking,
chattiness, racing thoughts, and losing the need or desire to sleep. On the other had the Bipolar II
Disorder requires the patient to have experienced a depressive episode and a less episode of
mania called hypomania. The episode would have to meet at least five of these symptoms to be
considered a depressive episode, changes in appetite, sleep, decrease in energy, feelings of self-
value, indecisiveness, lack of interest of usual hobbies, and thought of suicide. These short
definitions are given to share some general information on bipolar disorders and according to
Aldinger and Schulze, bipolar disorder has a lifetime prevalence of about 3% globally and one of
the most common psychiatric illnesses (2017). This paper will share first-hand experiences from
patients currently diagnosed with either bipolar I or bipolar II disorders, how family and cultural
factors impact the origin, course of the illness and treatment. It will also discuss possible
attitudes family members have towards the patient, illness, and treatment, along with a
hypothetical treatment plan.
First-hand Accounts
Running head: DUMASQ-MFT6102-11 1
Signature Assignment
Quanetta Dumas
Northcentral University
, DUMASQ-MFT6102-11 2
Introduction
According to the American Psychological Association (2018), Bipolar disorder is a
severe mental disorder where an individual’s emotions become intensified and erratic. Their
emotions can quickly change from cheerfulness, high energy, and lucidity to unhappiness,
exhaustion, and confusion. This mood or emotional rollercoaster can be so traumatic that an
individual may think of and try to commit suicide. The DSM-V (2013) explains the bipolar I
disorder and bipolar II disorder as two separate disorders with different diagnostic criteria.
Bipolar I Disorder diagnoses require the client to meet the criteria of a full manic episode
without having to have experienced a depressive episode. A manic episode would have to include
at least 3 of the following symptoms: an increase in self-esteem, energy level, risk-taking,
chattiness, racing thoughts, and losing the need or desire to sleep. On the other had the Bipolar II
Disorder requires the patient to have experienced a depressive episode and a less episode of
mania called hypomania. The episode would have to meet at least five of these symptoms to be
considered a depressive episode, changes in appetite, sleep, decrease in energy, feelings of self-
value, indecisiveness, lack of interest of usual hobbies, and thought of suicide. These short
definitions are given to share some general information on bipolar disorders and according to
Aldinger and Schulze, bipolar disorder has a lifetime prevalence of about 3% globally and one of
the most common psychiatric illnesses (2017). This paper will share first-hand experiences from
patients currently diagnosed with either bipolar I or bipolar II disorders, how family and cultural
factors impact the origin, course of the illness and treatment. It will also discuss possible
attitudes family members have towards the patient, illness, and treatment, along with a
hypothetical treatment plan.
First-hand Accounts
