Bipolar Interview

Interview my best friend on 6^th June 2018

1. Are you motivated or anxious more than usual? Yes. Sometimes I feel overexcited by new ideas that come to mind but then they also give me some kind of anxiety.

2. Do you have a lot of excess energy? Yes, but not always. Sometimes I feel very energized while there are times I am lethargic
3. How are your sleeping patterns – increased or decreased? My sleeping patterns are erratic with different periods of increased and decreased sleep.
4. Are you irritated or agitated? I find myself getting easily irritated even by minor things.
5. Are you drinking alcohol more than usual? I have been drinking more than usual, especially when I feel depressed.
6. Do you find it hard to stop talking?  Sometimes I cannot control myself when talking. I often talk over others without considering that they were saying something.
7. Have your friends/family commented on the way you are talking? My friends have been telling me that I talk too much without letting others to air their opinions. They also say that I am all over the place with my discussion topics.
8. Have they said that they find it difficult to follow your speech? They say that they find it difficult to follow since I do not stick to one thing when talking. I tend to jump from one topic to another mid-sentence.
9. Do you feel like being with people at one time and alone at others? Yes, sometimes I feel happy being around people while at others I just want to remain in my own bubble without interaction.
10. Do you take your medications on time? No, I do not always take my medication on time because sometimes it just escapes my mind completely.
11. What is your long-term goal? My long-term goal is to recover from this disorder by improving my erratic mood swings and rapid speech. I have lost friends and damaged relationships due to my condition, but I hope to improve and get my social life back on track.

Interview Therapist 7^th June 2018

1. What are the signs of a bipolar patient? People with bipolar disorder primarily display mood swings, high and low energy, loss of touch with reality, a reduced need for sleep, lack of interest in daily activities, and low motivation among others.
2. Some therapists are more comfortable addressing immediate problem, while other focus on the deeper issue, which one are you? I focus on addressing the real issue rather than the immediate problem. I consider this the best way to finding a lasting solution for patients to manage their conditions in life.
3. How do you tell your patient he/she are bipolar? I tell by considering their symptoms and comparing them against the known traits displayed by bipolar patients.
4. Do you tend to lead the season when are with your patient or follow their lead? I make sure patients fully participate by asking open-ended questions to unlock as much information as possible.
5. What is your strength as a therapist? I would say my greatest strength is my patience. I have learned that it is more important to listen than talk if I am going to help the patient.

Interview Patient on 8^th June 2018

1. Are there any variations in your quality and quantity of work? Yes, sometimes I find it difficult to complete my tasks on time. I work on projects halfway and then I jump to something else. The quality has also dipped since I tend to be easily distracted.
2. Do you get hostile or annoyed for no particular reason? I have noticed that I have been getting irritated by the most minute of things nowadays. I just feel like I do not want to talk and yet I still want to lash out.
3. Do you want to be alone or with others? The feeling keeps shifting all the time. Sometimes I want to be totally alone while at other times I feel excited being in the company of my friends.
4. How are your self-confidence levels? They keep varying as I feel overconfident at times and then at others I feel like I am inadequate.
5. Do you feel elated and depressed simultaneously? Yes, I normally experience periods when I feel very excited for a while then the feeling dissipates and I become grumpy.

Interview Professor 8^th June 2018

1. What is bipolar disorder? It is a disorder of the brain that leads to unusual shifts in energy, mood, and activity levels that interferes with the day to day activities.
2. Is there a specific age group? The average age for the onset of bipolar symptoms is about 24 years and it affects both genders equally.
3. Can one have bipolar disorder and be happy? Yes, therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes can help to ensure people are happy.
4. Can bipolar disorder be cured completely? There is no specific cure for the condition but the symptoms are manageable via a combination of psychotherapy and psychiatric medication.