This document details a project for a high school AP Psychology course focused on bipolar disorder, its symptoms, types, and treatment options. It describes the personal experience of the author who has bipolar I disorder, including their family history, diagnosis, and ongoing struggles with the condition. The document emphasizes the importance of therapy, medication, and support systems in managing bipolar disorder.

1. This 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, Laura Astorian:
laura.astorian@cobbk12.org
Pomona Pele

2. • Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that causes extreme
mood swings between emotional highs and lows.
• It is characterized by unusual shifts in mood, energy,
activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day
tasks.
• It was previously called manic-depressive disorder.
• It is a long-term condition.

3. • A distinct period of abnormally and persistently
elevated, expansive or irritable mood.
• It last for more than one week.
• The episode includes persistently increased
goal-directed activity or energy.
• People feel very energetic, productive, and are
able to function normally.
• Hypomanic episodes are less severe manic
periods.
• SYMPTOMS:
• Elation
• Euphoria
• Desire for action
• Hyperactive

4. • Patients are very sad, down, and undergo “hopeless
periods” for over two-weeks that represent a change from
previous mood and functioning.
• Depressed moods are prevalent most of the day.
• Reduced interest or feeling no pleasure in activities most of
the day, nearly every day.
• May include recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or
suicide planning or attempt.
• SYMPTOMS:
• Gloomy
• Withdrawn
• Inability to make decisions
• Tired
• Slowness of thought
• Lack of motivation
• Emptiness

5. • Bipolar I Disorder
• Manic episodes that last more than 7 days, or have manic
symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate
hospital care.
• Depressive episodes typically last more than 2 weeks.
• Episodes with depression and manic symptoms at the same time
are also possible.
• Bipolar II Disorder
• A cycle of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not
to the full-extent of manic episodes as described above.
• Cyclothymic Disorder
• Periods of hypomanic symptoms and depressive symptoms lasting
for at least 2 years .
• Symptoms do not meet the diagnostic requirements for a
hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.

6. 1. Genetics
1. Some individuals with certain genes have a higher
chance of developing bipolar disorder than others.
2. Family History
1. Bipolar disorder tends to run in families.
1. However, most people with a family history of
bipolar disorder will not develop the illness.
3. Brain Structure
1. Some studies show how the brains of people with
bipolar disorder may differ from the brains of healthy
people or people with other mental disorders.

7. • It is difficult to make a diagnosis as bipolar
disorder is often can be accompanied by other
illnesses.
• Psychologists may use:
• Questionnaires
• Projective tests
• Mood charts to track behavior
• DSM-5 to compare symptoms

8. • It requires long-term treatment in order to
prevent relapse.
• Psychiatrists may prescribe drugs and therapy to
stabilize the patient’s mood.
• If the patient is undergoing a depressive stage,
the psychiatrist might recommend
hospitalization.

9. • Mood stabilizers
• Can control manic or hypomanic episodes.
• Lithium Carbonate, a common salt, moderates the levels of
norepinephrine and glutamate neurotransmitters.
• Antipsychotics
• If symptoms of depression or mania persist, doctors may
prescribe these along with a mood stabilizer.
• Antidepressants
• Helps to manage depression.
• Antidepressant-antipsychotic
• Works as a depression treatment and a mood stabilizer.
• (Example): Symbyax is for the treatment of depressive episodes
associated with bipolar I disorder.
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Benzodiazepines are generally used for relieving anxiety

10. • Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Identifies unhealthy, negative beliefs and behaviors and replaces
them with healthy, positive ones.
• Helps to find what triggers bipolar episodes.
• Psychoeducation
• Counseling to learn about bipolar disorder can help the patient
and their family to understand.
• Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy
(IPSRT).
• Routinizes daily rhythms, such as sleep, wake and mealtimes.
• Allows for better mood management.

11. • I was diagnosed in my early 20s with Bipolar I Disorder.
• In my family tree there is a history of mental illness:
• My maternal grandmother and paternal great-grandma had bipolar
disorder.
• My sorority sisters noticed that my behavior and moods
started varying in freshman year. They recommended
that I visit a psychiatrist.
• I had an alcohol abuse problem, but I am proud to say with
behavioral therapy and group therapy I have been alcohol free for
six months now!
• I am a part of internet support groups because almost 5.7
million other American adults also have this disorder.

12. Have bipolar disorder

13. I have had sleep insomnia for the past week now.
When I don’t get nine hours of sleep, I enter the

14. My psychiatrist has recommended that
during my manic periods I regularly take

15. Pomona Pele
During my last appointment, my psychiatrist told me
to fill in a mood chart for six months. She said the
data will help her prescribe medication.

16. I feel very energetic today so I have
decided to continue writing my book, A
Journey with Bipolar Disorder.

17. I threw away all the pages of my book
that I had written a week back. I can’t
believe that I had energy to write. Now, I
am not even motivated to clean up.

18. I am in a state of melancholy. This is when I
go through a loss of pleasure in all or most
activities and don’t feel significantly better,
even when something good happens. I don’t
even want to open my Christmas presents.

19. My psychologists said I should try to stop
thoughts of anxiety and instead channel it
through painting. However, today I spilled
paint everywhere. I wish I would stop
obsessing over it, but all I can think about is

20. I have lost my appetite. I keep
thinking about my failures and
can’t seem to get around to
eating. I am very distracted and I
have racing thoughts.

21. Today I was very motivated to clean my
room. I got out of bed and had so many
ideas on how I could get all the
housework done.

22. I am still feeling very elated and so I
decided to take an impromptu trip to
Vegas. I feel lucky today, maybe I’ll
try the slot machines.

23. Bipolar Disorder Center: Symptoms, Types, Tests, and Treatments. (n.d.). Retrieved December
11, 2016, from http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/
Bipolar disorder. Retrieved December 12, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/definition/con-20027544
Bipolar Disorder. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2016, from
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml
Carey, E. (2016). The 13 Best Bipolar Disorder Blogs of 2016. Retrieved December 13,
2016, from http://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/best-blogs-of-the-year
Marshall, J. (n.d.). Bipolar Mom Life - Writing my way through living with mental illness.
Retrieved December 14, 2016, from http://bipolarmomlife.com/