She also described a history of mood swings for many years. The diagnosis of major depressive disorder was suspect, given the poor response to the antidepressant; however, with the consideration of her personal and family history, she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Within one week's time on new medication, she began to improve markedly, including clearer thinking, more productive work being done, less depression, and more energy. Within five weeks after the institution of Seroquel, the client was feeling "terrific." She was seen in supportive psychotherapy and provided advice on parenting her two-year-old daughter, which gave the client more confidence and a feeling of "control" over her life. .
Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, is the combination of mania and depression. Although those suffering with the disorder may be depressed and manic at the same time, the two conditions most commonly occur sequentially. This transition from mania to depression or vice versa is known as the "switch process" (Frisch 282). A person with bipolar disorder will have tremendous highs, which is the manic phase, and is characterized by the following behavioral symptoms: "inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, more talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking, flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing, distractibility, increase in goal-directed activity, [and] excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences" (American Psychiatric Association). This is followed by incredible lows, which mark the cycle known as the depression stage, and this is followed along with a mixture of highs and lows, and everything in between. These mood episodes may last for a few hours, a few days, or for quite a few months. .
There are two defined types of bipolar disorder, Bipolar I and Bipolar II.
