Mental Health: Care Options for Bipolar Disorder Patient

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author’s note

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Introduction:
The diagnosis of mental illness and the associated morbidity associated with the
condition has significant impact on overall well-being and health outcome of patients. As mental
illness patients present with complex symptoms, having understanding regarding overall
experience of illness is critical to identify appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological
intervention for their recovery (Shafran, Bennett & McKenzie Smith, 2017). This paper aims to
develop critical thinking regarding proper care options for a mental illness patient by analysing
the case study of Mr. Walter Reed, a patient with history of bipolar disorder, diabetes and
hypertension. The report aims to identify the most relevant care options for the patient and
discuss about the lived experience of the client. The paper discusses about the ethical
consideration while caring such patients and the key referral options for Mr. Walter for complete
recovery. The overall position for the topic is that engaging in patient-centred care approach is
important to address both, disease related as well as social and emotional related challenges for
patient.
Mental health issues experienced by the person:
Mr. Walter Reed, a 69 year old man presented at the local emergency department in a
confused state and he was admitted to the medical ward. After three weeks of hospitalization,
Mr. Walter has been found to have deteriorating mood, poor motivation to go out of bed, sleep
problems and poor appetite. He is found to have symptoms of suicide ideation too as he revealed
that he wants to die. Based on the analysis of current symptoms, the main clinical manifestations
found in patient included poor mood, suicide ideation, lack of interest in activities, poor personal
hygiene, insomnia and poor nutrition. To identify appropriate mental health issue for the client,
comparing the symptoms with DSM-V criteria of mental illness is important. The patient’s
condition can be categorized into either Bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. The
patient is taking Lithium Carbonate after hospital admission, which is a common medication to
treat episode of mania in patient. Hence, this indicates episode of mania and presence of bipolar
disorder (Mental Health Service Administration, 2016). In addition, as his manic episode has
been followed by recent episode of major depressive disorder, he is found to be suffering from
Bipolar I disorder (Most recent episode depressed) as he has at least one depressive episode
along with previous history of manic episode (Grande et al., 2016). The main reason for

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characterizing Walter’s symptoms as depressive episode is that his symptoms match with the
DSM-V criteria for major depressive disorder as it mentions that for patients to be diagnosed
with major depressive disorder, they need to have any five of the following symptoms for two
weeks:
 Depressed mood
 Diminished interest in activities of pleasure
 Insomnia
 Weight loss or decrease in appetite
 Recurrent thought of deaths
 Feelings of worthlessness
 Fatigue
 Poor concentration (Schmidt & Tolentino, 2018)
Mr. Walter had five-six of the above symptoms. Hence, it can be concluded that Mr.
Walter is suffering from Major depressive disorder.
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological care options for the person and their family
members:
Based on the review of current mental health issues for Mr. Reed, it has been found that
he is experiencing Bipolar I disorder (most recent episode depressed). As his mood has currently
deteriorated and his mood has not improved despite taking medications for three weeks, there is
a need to identify other pharmacological care options for him. The first care priority is to reduce
his deteriorating mood as soon as possible and identify pharmacological intervention is best for
this. Currently, Mr. Reed is taking lithium carbonate which is used to treat bipolar disorder and
depression for those whose symptoms do improve following use of other depressants. However,
as he is taking the medication only for three weeks, full therapeutic effect can be seen after six
weeks. This is said because it has been found antidepressant effect of lithium has a delayed onset
of 6-8 weeks (Won & Kim, 2017). Hence, Mr. Reed needs to continue the medication further.
Evidence based research evidence shows lithium compound as the first line of treatment
for bipolar disorder (BD). It is the first treatment choice for acute manic, mixed and depressive
episodes of BD. The effectiveness of this drug is that it prevents both new depressive and new