Care Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Care Plan - Essay Example The patient has been fired from several jobs. When she does work it becomes difficult for co-workers as she moves into one of her depressive cycles. During this time she becomes "caustic" and "irritable". With her presenting behaviors the patient has been given a diagnosis of "Bipolar Disorder". The case study did not specifically say whether she was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I or II but from the presenting problems it appears to be Bipolar Disorder I. The DSM-IV (1994) describes Bipolar Disorder within several different categories. It describes 296.4x Bipolar I Disorder as having the "most recent episode manic." This is the case with the patient. The criteria for this is someone who has "most recently had a manic episode, there has been at least one major depressive episode" (DSM-IV, p. 357)and other types of disorders have been ruled out.. Bipolar Disorder usually begins between the ages of 21 and 30 and it has been statistically shown that over 50% of bipolar patients also have a challenge with substance abuse (Boyd and Nihart, 1998, 0. 456). Although it is only reported from the husband that substance abuse or drugs "may" be involved it is something that needs to be explored more thoroughly. The patient also started having bouts of depression before the age of 34 (their current age) and these periods exacerbated at the death of her father. Clinical issues that present themselves in Bipolar Disorder include an elevated or irrit able mood, impaired functioning and several depressive and manic phases. There are also challenges with interpersonal relationships. The disorder also has behaviors of "reckless spending which can cause financial ruin and work related problems that can include difficulty in focusing" (Boyd and Nihart, p. 457). The patient has been spending money "recklessly" according to her husband on items that they cannot afford. The patient is also having problems with irritable mood and the