Background
The movie Silver Linings Playbook presents the main character Patrizio Solitano Jr. or Pat as an individual who got recently released from mental health facility due to his bipolar disorder. He is portrayed by actor Bradley Cooper, who performed an outstanding job of illustrating the severe case of the problem. Since the beginning of the movie, it becomes evident that the diagnosis is bipolar disorder. The symptoms include violent reactions, anxiety attacks, and outbursts, which indicate the presence of the condition. Although the movie is a love story, it perfectly demonstrates the intricate issues of individuals who possess mental disorders.
Diagnosis
Pat furiously beat his ex-wife’s lover, when he found them in the shower. The incident resulted in the main character being placed a in psychiatric hospital for eight months. After settling some legal disputes, Pat leaves the hospital, but his therapist warns him to continue to the medications. The main difference between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 Disorder is in the presence of manic episodes. The former case must involve one manic episode, whereas the latter must lack it (“DSM-5 criteria: Bipolar disorders,” n.d.). Severe case of a manic episode is beating the wife’s lover, but such an instance can be observed throughout the movie.
Objectives
In the case of client readiness, it is important to distinguish five different stages, which include pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. It is evident that Pat fully realizes that he possesses a problem and recent in-clinic confinement made certain preparations. He states that he is ready for a new life and wants to adopt a more optimistic outlook. He is taking medication, which means that he took action. He is currently on the last stage of the client readiness, which is maintenance.
The treatment plan objectives need to be based on a comprehensive approach, where both medication-based and non-pharmacological options are utilized. One should be aware that bipolar disorder cannot be eliminated, therefore, the process mainly focuses on stabilizing and minimizing the symptoms. Medications are the centerpiece of any successful bipolar disorder treatment because they are effective at reducing both severity and rate of mood swings. If someone has symptoms of depression or mania, it is important to educate them that it is important to see a doctor or mental health professional. The client should also be aware that bipolar disorder does not improve on its own. Getting treatment from a mental health professional with a bipolar disorder experience can help control symptoms.
Assessment
The assessment needs to be conducted in accordance with the DSM-5 description, where Pat’s condition is properly observed. The protocol ensures that there will be no misinterpretation and misconduct due to its standardized nature. Despite extreme moods, people with bipolar disorder often don’t realize how much their emotional instability is disrupting their lives. It also affects the lives of their loved ones if they do not receive the necessary treatment. People with bipolar disorder can enjoy feelings of euphoria and be more productive (Janicak & Esposito, 2015). However, this euphoria is always accompanied by an emotional disaster that can leave them depressed (Janicak & Esposito, 2015). This can negatively affect financial, legal, or other aspects of life.
Clinician Characteristics
Clinician characteristics must be focused on patience because Pat’s optimistic outlook is highly fragile. In addition, it is evident that he is capable of committing violent actions, which means that he needs to be approached in a respectful and empathetic manner. Any form of negativity needs to be removed because he already underwent major traumatic events in his life. Inducing these unnecessary thoughts might discourage Pat from adhering to the treatment plan. Lastly, it is critical to be assertive regarding the medications because they primarily allow the client to preserve stability and control. Psychoeducation and psychotherapy are mainly aimed at ensuring that the patient learns to identify early signs of an exacerbation. In such cases, it is possible to correct drug therapy in time so that the patient remains in the intermission and does not fall into one of the phases.
The clinician characteristics must involve empathy and understanding, because Pat’s situation is the result of a traumatic event of betrayal. It is critical to possess strong interpersonal skills because he has some communication problems. One should be open-minded, affirming, and optimistic, because Pat might be vulnerable to lack of these qualities. Being authoritative is critical to ensure that he will not stop taking medications.
Location of Treatment
The location of treatment will be primarily held in an outpatient mental health community agency because Pat was just released from the mental health facility. There is no need for mandatory restraint due to the fact that he no longer exhibits signs that he might lose control and become violent. If the treatment demonstrates the worsening of the situation, then it is plausible to continue the plan in a hospital. In the case of the reoccurrence of similar violent events, Pat might be placed in a mental health facility once again. It is important to consider that bipolar disorder is diagnosed only clinically and necessarily by a psychiatrist. Mental conditions, like other disorders, have criteria that are prescribed in the classifications. One should be aware that not every decrease in mood meets the criteria for depression, and not every increase in condition meets the criteria for mania or hypomania.
Interventions
The interventions will be mainly based on two well-known approaches, which are person-centered care and cognitive behavioral therapy. Both will be highly useful in ensuring that Pat will be more aware of his condition. In addition, CBT will help him to improve depressive symptoms and decrease the relapse rate (Chiang et al., 2017). Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition, so medications usually need to be taken for a long time, often throughout life. Cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, and social rhythm therapy can also be used. It is also possible to conduct training in the normal mode of sleep and wakefulness, work and rest, the identification and prevention of triggers that initiate the phases.
References
Chiang, K. J., Tsai, J. C., Liu, D., Lin, C. H., Chiu, H. L., & Chou, K. R. (2017). Efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with bipolar disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLOS ONE, 12(5), 1-19. Web.
DSM-5 criteria: Bipolar disorders. (n.d.). Web.
Janicak, P. G., & Esposito, J. (201November 20). An update on the diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder. Psychiatric Times. Web.
Russell, D. O. (2012). Silver linings playbook [Film]. The Weinstein Company.
Santana, M. J., Manalili, K., Jolley, R. J., Zelinsky, S., Quan, H., & Lu, M. (2017). How to practice person-centred care: A conceptual framework. Health Expectations, 21(2), 429-440. Web.