Case study clinical example: Session with a client with Bipolar Disorder (fluctuations in mood)

Video for use in teaching CBT formulation, aiming to demonstrate some of the triggers, thoughts, feelings and responses linked with elevated mood. In order to try and provide information to build a formulation, the session moves faster than an average session might and does not include all aspects of standard CBT (e.g., agenda setting). An actor plays the character of Tom [Sam Newton], but the dialogue is not scripted, and as such this represents a natural therapeutic exchange. I am a qualified Clinical Psychologist, but this is not a perfect example of CBT!

[fernfafafafafafa]

I found this video several years ago. It wasn’t until I had a recent meditation poisoning that triggered a manic suicide attempt that I deeply understand this person’s story.

I have found out the hard way that any kind of strong stimulate puts me in a suicidal place. I feel lucky I went into treatment quickly. It has been almost 6 months and I am still recovering.

I am no longer taking my adhd medication. Does anyone else miss the energy you had on these meds or the feelings well manic. I had times of joy and creativity.

I also felt confident. The swing into the depression and overwhelming shame mentioned in the video is so difficult. Sending love and understanding to all of you going through this. Thank you for these videos and your service in breaking down stigma.

[WilliamMahmood]

It’s very hard to accept some of your actions and feelings while manic or depressed. Especially if you’ve really embarrassed yourself or you did something borderline catastrophic to yourself or people you love.

[TheSwaggetts]

this was me for years. i felt every bit of this. i had a horrible drug and alcohol addiction because i wanted to stay up. hated being down. being high was like being manic. loved.

[superslimyslugs]

As a counsellor in training, these videos are extremely helpful! Thanks so much for uploading. Looking forward to future uploads!

[doubletroublerainbow]

Bless him. Hoping and praying that he’s doing well. There is hope, don’t give up.

Diagnosed with Bipolar 1 and generalized anxiety when I was 19 and I didn’t know anything about the illness. It was scary and unfamiliar and I was too afraid to read anything on the disorder because it would lay out every insecurity I may have. Feeling vulnerable because you are put into this social category by old white men.
I’m 23 now, what really helped me is having someone in your life that is compassionate enough to understand your illness. My fiancé has never been affected in any way by mental illness in his life, directly or indirectly, so dating at first was difficult because the disease is so extreme and really breaks people down.
Even though he couldn’t empathize what I was going through because he has never had the illness, he did the next best thing he could to be supportive.
He’s bought 4 different books on bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and most recently “Loving Someone with Bipolar”.

[susanwinslow]

As a psych RN who has worked with people with Bipolar Disorder for 29 yrs. This actor is amazing. He has the eye contact right, cadence of speech is right, great acting for people to learn by.
Sometimes when you have a patient that is in the throws of mania, it is not a good teaching tool because the patient may be too disorganized, not able to recall, speech would be more circumstantial, tangential etc!

[jvaliente]

i am watching a couple of vids, and just now realize that these patients are actors, they are so good!!

[ericthehalfabee]

Several people have complained, to a greater or lesser extent, that an actor was used instead of Tom himself. I just want to say that this was an excellent video and Sam Newton did a brilliant job, he really immersed himself in his character.
There are some wonderful people out there who blog about their bipolar lives and I've gained a lot from their unselfish desire to help others, even at the expense of their privacy. Not all of us are willing though, to do that, and want to remain anonymous.
I, for example, hide behind a ridiculous nickname and hybrid Schopenhauer Koala avatar.
A great video, Judith! Thanks!

By the way, I was amused that Tom had thought about creating an app to find the cheapest way to get wasted! I spent a day doing a similar thing: but creating just a simple spreadsheet to amuse myself and select friends, based on then current liquor prices and corresponding %vol of alcohol. Being bipolar type II though, I find it best to stay right away from the stuff nowadays!
Cheers =P

[buddymckay]

I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 at age 23 and had symptoms of it since age 15, so I know how you feel about it.

[jessicaegnew]

Very well done. As I have Bipolar Disorder, I see and hear myself in this interview.

[ASMinor]

I am an avid #MentalHealthAwareness advocate and performer, and I love this so much. I travel the country trying to bring that awareness on stages, in classrooms, hospitals, and on my YouTube channel, so I get excited when I see other advocates. 💙❤

[Yukai-epdv]

The doctor is really good, she has such a calming and comforting way of talking.

[albacan]

What a nice kid giving credit to his parents for their work done to support him

[avalonjustin]

Young fellow did some fantastic acting here! We can learn so much from these sessions.

[Treesgiveair]

I’m 14 and just got diagnosed with bipolar a few weeks ago and I’m trying to learn more about it so I can unstable myself better. The more and more I watch these videos the more I see what the characteristics are of it.

[wanderinginthewoods_sam]

Wow, I can relate with him on so many ways. Especially pushing myself. That itself speaks to me. I get affected by drinking lots of caffeine and end up becoming aggressive and very moody. I thought I was just stressed out, but this happened throughout my entire life. I'd have long periods where I would be crying over nothing and just inside my room where my parents began worrying about me. Never once did I think something was wrong with me, but I was very exhausted from everything. It wasn't until I was hospitalized and affecting my jobs where I began to realize how much it was affecting my everyday life. I also experienced drugs because sometimes I needed to escape from my mind racing so fast, my mind wouldn't shut off sometimes. It was constantly always racing and keep me up all night long. That's how it is for me between the highs and lows. It was happening nonstop and became so mentally exhausting for me.

[amudhaliwal]

I'm completely fine and healthy.
Thankyou god🤲
I hope all love and strength to everyone who have to go through this rollercoaster ride. I'm sorry for you. You're strong people ...just stay strong. It's never gonna be easy but i know and i believe that you're the only one who can do this. God loves you and so do this world.
Peace.❤

[Dannydawson]

Hi what a brave young guy to do this, his personal story was so helpful to me and so many others out there I was diagnosed in prison with bipolar type 2 both my sons have bipolar my mum had bipolar disorder

[charltonallen]

Thanks for sharing. I can relate to everything he says. I’m currently in the same situation, not as far he’s now but in the midst of it. I can learn from this and avoid the things that could potentially happen like losing my partner.

[itsmeyoufool]

Thanks for this, I suffer from bi polar and have done for many many years, What i think is fantastic about projects like this is that I believe awareness is one of the greatest healers. I used to think I was so apart from everyone else and was destined for great things, or that i just didn't belong on this planet. psychosis and dark moods were prevalent for many years before I got meningitis and the hospital did a lumbar punch on me... the doctor says, "erm, do you suffer from depression at all?" "because your chemicals are totally devoid of anything to make you feel good!" ... I'm taking various pills now for psychosis, depression and insomnia and finally I 'm holding down a job and seeing the world through moderate eyes. You can see immediately by people's responses and comments whether they understand or suffer. Those who don't, seem to think we're mad or have something missing whereas I can only explain it as having a constant hangover when you're down or high on something the rest of the time.