Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
- Describe the HPI and clinical impression for the client.
Alex Clover’s is a thirty-one-year-old man, and his wife Jennifer Clover claims that he has bipolar disorder, a type of mental disorder that results in extreme change in a person’s energy level and moods (Miklowitz, 2008). An individual with this type of disease often experiences extremely irritable or elevated feelings (commonly referred to as manic episodes) and depression episodes.
Jennifer noticed that Alex started being a little violent for the past three months. She stated that he only acts violently once in a while, mostly when he is offended. Alex has been having a hyperbolic sense of self-confidence and well-being. Jennifer reported that Alex sometimes sits alone in the corner of their room, blubbering meaningless words for almost two to three hours.
Alex sometimes stays up all night, just silently staring at the ceiling. Jennifer also stated that Alex has lately been making poor decisions. She mentioned that he has been carelessly gambling and lost two thousand dollars in a week. Alex’s social skills have significantly decreased and are barely spending a good time with his family.
Jennifer mentioned that Alex’s father had experienced the same symptoms as Alex. Alex has a medical history of fainting, extreme migraine, and prescription of sleeping pills for a couple of months. Based on Alex’s clinical report and the above-noticed symptoms, I am confident to diagnose Alex with bipolar II disorder.
- Recommend psychopharmacologic treatments and describe specific and therapeutic endpoints for your psychopharmacologic agent. (This should relate to HPI and clinical impression.).
The best and the most effective treatment for individuals with bipolar disorder is a combination of psychopharmacologic (medication) and treatment (Colom, 2006). I would firstly recommend Alex to use atypical antipsychotics and some mood stabilizer pills. This will help manage or control the continuous episodes and mood swings he has been experiencing. Alex can be prescribed under a small dose of antidepressants because they are known to decrease depressions (Glick, 2001). Antidepressant pills will help him raise his self-esteem and reduce depression.
Therapy is a critical procedure in treating bipolar disorder. I would recommend Alex to a four to six months of treatment. If Alex has experienced more than two hypomanic or manic episodes, I suggest he have a maintenance therapy to reduce the chances of future events. Treatment will help Alex manage his incidents.
- Recommend psychotherapy choices (individual, family, and group) and specific therapeutic endpoints for your preferences.
Therapy is a very significant part in the treatment of bipolar patients (Thase, 2000). During treatment, Alex will be able to discuss his thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that result in him experiencing episodes. Therapy will help Alex to master and understand how to overcome his adventures. I would recommend three types of psychotherapy choices to Alex based on his HPI.
Alex can undergo behavioral therapy. This therapy will help how to master methods and ways to minimize the stress that often triggers his episodes. Cognitive therapy is also a type of treatment that Alex can consider; this therapy approach will help him learn to identify and adjust thinking patterns associated with mood swings (Stahl, 2000). Alex can also benefit from group therapy. Alex will learn coping skills, share concerns, and receive encouragement. His family and friends will also benefit from this type of treatment by having a good understanding of the disorder and learning ways to support him.
- Identify medical management needs, including primary care needs, specific to this client.
Alex should make sure that he sticks to prescribes drugs and therapeutic practices to avoid experiencing manic episodes. Primary care has evolved in such a way that it is a significant source of mental health treatment. Primary care physicians should educate and support Alex’s family about his disorder. The physicians should continuously check up on Alex to monitor his progress.
- Identify community support resources (housing, socioeconomic needs, etc.) and community agencies available to assist the client.
The community or the society can have either a positive or negative significant impact on bipolar patients. The city should offer support to Alex and his family. They should often interact with him to understand his illness. These will make Alex feel appreciated, and welcome in the society helps raise his esteem minimizing the chances of having one of his episodes (Wozniak, 1995).
The society should offer Alex and his family, both social and economic help if the need arises. The whole organization should try as much as possible to create a conducive environment for Alex’s recovery. Alex can also volunteer in the community’s project and seminars that help people with bipolar disorder.
- Recommend a plan for follow-up intensity and frequency and collaboration with other providers.
After Alex starts his treatment, there are some follow-ups he should adhere to. He should visit his doctor immediately after four weeks of starting the medication. Alex should continue taking his medication even though he thinks he is feeling better. Alex should make taking his pills as a daily routine by taking them every day precisely at the same time. He should contact his doctor if he is not feeling better after three to four weeks of medication.
References
Colom, F., Vieta, E., Daban, C., Pacchiarotti, I., & Sanchez-Moreno, J. (2006). Clinical and therapeutic implications of predominant polarity in bipolar disorder. Journal of affective disorders, 93(1-3), 13-17.
Glick, I. D., Suppes, T., DeBattista, C., Hu, R. J., & Marder, S. (2001). Psychopharmacologic treatment strategies for depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Annals of Internal Medicine, 134(1), 47-60.
Miklowitz, D. J., & Johnson, S. L. (2008). Bipolar disorder. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Stahl, S. M. (2000). Essential psychopharmacology of depression and bipolar disorder. Cambridge university press.
Thase, M. E., & Sachs, G. S. (2000). Bipolar depression: pharmacotherapy and related therapeutic strategies. Biological psychiatry, 48(6), 558-572.
Wozniak, J., Biederman, J., Kiely, K., Ablon, J. S., Faraone, S. V., Mundy, E., & Mennin, D. (1995). Mania-like symptoms are suggestive of childhood-onset bipolar disorder in clinically referred children. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 34(7), 867-876.