Reflective Writing | Help & Advice

REFLECTIVE WRITING 1
Reflective Writing
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

REFLECTIVE WRITING 2
According to Garneau (2016), reflection is an essential aspect of nursing. Reflection helps the
nurses to enhance their professional and personal skills, abilities and knowledge, ensuring
high-quality care for the patients. It also helps to stimulate the self-awareness of the nurses
and helps them to provide improved practical performance.
While going through the different survival stories of bipolar disorder patients, the case of
Catherine Zeta-Jones in the news magazine named "Catherine Zeta-Jones Sheds Light on
Bipolar II Disorder" caught my attention(News, 2020). In this paper, I have applied the five
R's of reflection(Bain et al, 2002) to discuss how this blog has influenced me and provoked
me to change my perspective against such patients. It also helped me to alter my thought
process on the recovery of such patients. I am working as a nursing professional myself, so I
come across various patients with different disabilities or disorders.

REFLECTIVE WRITING 3
Reporting
Catherine Zeta-Jones, a 51 years old actress, has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder II
disorder which is characterized by repeated cycles of depressive episodes followed by
hypomanic periods(Rengasamy & Birmaher, 2019). Bipolar disorder is also called manic
depressive illness characterized by mood shifts between the two psychological pulls of
depression and euphoria. Zeta-Jones had faced plenty of stress throughout her life, especially
after the demise of her husband Douglas, who was diagnosed with stage IV throat cancer. In
2011, she spoke publicly for the first time about her battle with bipolar II, saying that millions
of people can be affected by this disorder and she is one of them.
Responding
After reading her case, I was able to feel and anticipate the mental trauma, mood swing and
depression she went through while undergoing the conditions(Serra et al, 2019). After being
diagnosed with bipolar disorder II, she got emotionally broken, isolated herself completely,
stopped socializing with others. She could not focus on her career. However, owing to her
strong will-force and determination, she was able to divert her thought process by positive
thinking, following a strict healthy routine through physical exercise and proper sleep. She
also started researching this particular disorder, gathered knowledge and even sought help
from others who suffered or is suffering from the same disorder. Her survival strategy helped
me to understand that no disease is incurable if someone has adequate mental strength, strong
determination and will force to overcome critical conditions. I feel it is essential to change the
mindset of the patient, encourage them and assure them about a happy future. As a nurse, it is
my responsibility to help them focus on the brighter side of life.