Jean Slater and Treatment Interventions of Bipolar Disorder - Essay Example

? Jean Slater and Treatment Interventions of Bipolar Disorder Jean Slater and Treatment Interventions of Bipolar Disorder Introduction The aim of the paper is o investigate about bipolar disorder suffered by the character of Jean Slater from the BBC serial EastEnders. The character covered in the paper is although minor, yet it is important to be studied due to the disturbances suffered by it. The character first appear in the serial in December 2004 and after one year in December 2005. However, the regular appearance of the character started in November 2006, which was due to the interest of the audience towards the development of the character. Additionally, bipolar disorder is also known as a mood disorder that frequently gives swings to the sufferer’s mood through depressive and manic episodes. Therefore, in this paper charterer portrayal is studied along with investigating about the treatment interventions existing for the disorder. A best suited model is presented in the paper that has to be later followed by the strengths and weakness of the chosen intervention model. The crucial role played by the family and friends is also intended to be studied because the demand of the model requires involvement of the family members. Thus, it can be assumed that paper gives a sufficient amount of knowledge about the treatment interventions along with keeping the charterer of Jean Slater under focus. Jean Slater and Bipolar Disorder Jean Slater is one of the minor characters from the soap opera EastEnders, which was first broadcasted on BBC One in 1985. The program of EastEnders has always been ranked among the UK’s highest rated television shows and the character of Jean Slater is one of the most popular characters in British history of broadcasting. In the serial, Jean was initially married with Brian Slater whom she had two children Sean and Stacey. Her husband died in the end of 1999 due to an accident from the building site. One of the prominent features of this character is to be a sufferer of bipolar disorder, and due to such disability she could not cope up with the loss of her husband. Although Jean was a minor character of the EastEnders; however, her role has always been interesting to the viewers due to the bipolar order suffered by her (Hephaestus Books, 2011). Jean Slater seemed to be ridiculed by the neighbors due to her sufferings from the disease, as sometimes she acted awfully in front of others. Due to the bipolar disorder Jean has undergone with the severe depression and in 2005 she tried to kill herself. Consequently she was sent to a psychiatric unit of a hospital, though; she recovered to some extent from the intensity of the disease. Throughout the serial, Jean showed the symptoms of bipolar disorder including frequent mood swings and distractions. The habits of eating and sleeping of Jean Slater were also altered after she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As bipolar disorder is such a disturbance, in which serious swings in thinking, mood and behavior occur that later influence the family, professional and social life of the sufferers. The two of the most common symptoms of bipolar disorder are mania symptoms and depression. The presence of both of the symptoms can be observed in the character of Jean Slater. Her suicide attempt and depressive behavior are one of the prominent symptoms to prove her illness of bipolar disorder. Additionally, in 2008 Jean had to confront with a public breakdown that was witnessed by her neighbors and other local residents as she lied down middle of the road (Suppes & Dennehy, 2010). On the other hand, as Jean also tried to commit suicide and this decides the severity of the depression she has been suffering so long. While, by analyzing the feedbacks of the viewers, it has been found that some people believe that, the character of Jean Slater has not been rightly portrayed. They believe that the character of Jean has been portrayed as a crazy person; however, the symptoms of bipolar disorder reject some of those characteristics that had been portrayed in EastEnders. Now, by highlighting some of the factors about bipolar disorder, it has been found that most of the people are not able to enjoy their normal way of life they suffer from the bipolar disorder. This is due to the increasing level of depression when they interact with the other people important to them. Similarly, Jean also suffered from this situation in the serial because very relation she has is destroyed by her behavior. On the other hand, it has also been observed that people with bipolar disorder usually possess successful careers along with running their relationships satisfyingly. The bipolar disorder does not only affect the moods of the people; decreasing energy level symptoms have also been found in the sufferers of the disease. Thus, the character of Jean Slater sometimes shows this fact, as she has not been shown doing lots of physical work (Otto, et al., 2008). Treatment Interventions Many of the cases of bipolar disorder identify that people with bipolar disorder run their career successfully, but they have to face difficulty when it comes to maximize the functionality. Before starting with the treatment interventions of bipolar disorder, there is a need to understand that bipolar disorder is a medical condition. Majority of the doctors believe that bipolar disorder is an unpredictable disease. Therefore, one should be careful when one of the family members is suffering such illness. When treating the bipolar disorder, there is a separate treatment to overcome the acute episodes of manic and depressive episodes. Moreover, the treatment interventions of bipolar disorder also vary according to the patient, whether the patient is child, adolescent and if the patient is adult female treatment interventions also vary whether the person is pregnant or not. The drugs along with the therapies are supposed to be given to the patient, in which family members are also involved to get the better results (Yatham, et al., 2002). Moreover, it has been observed that family psycho-educational therapy is one of the popular interventions for bipolar disorder. In this therapy communication among the family members is improved along with convincing the patient about the benefits of the regular intake of the medications. Additionally, the type of treatment leaves its significant impacts on the recovery level of the people. The group therapy is another way to cope up with the situation and this is found very effective in recovering the patients. This is due to the fact that patients realize that they are not the only who are suffering from the illness. Therefore, many psychologists believe that group therapy gives an emotional support to the sufferers of the bipolar disorder, as it helps the people in coping with the stigma they have from others. In group therapies role of the educational institute and job training is the important to help the better results. The recovery through group therapy suggests maximizing the social functioning of the people because it is considered as a core aspect when skill-based interventions are intended. The group therapy model of bipolar disorder is found supporting the patient and the family to understand the bipolar disorder that as a consequence may take a person towards better recovery. The model of psychosocial group treatment involves many types of therapies, including psychoeducational, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family focused therapy and interpersonal social rhythm therapy. All these different types of therapies are applied according to the severity of the disease and according to the level of awareness of family members and friends of the patient. Furthermore, collaborative care treatment model is another important model is another significant model used to treat the bipolar disorder. This model talks about the existing treatment gaps certainly in chronic medical care. In the model of collaborative care, physicians are found leading a panel, which is made to be responsible for all the needs of the patients care. In this model a strong communicational development between the patient and the members of the team is very important to get the effective results. On the other hand, in the case of the Jean Slater, type of the bipolar disorder is to be understood, though an effective model can be suggested to serve the case (Ketter, 2005). Jean Slater and Interventional Models As the character of Jean Slater has been suffering from the bipolar disorder, due to which she received breakdowns and also tried to attempt suicide. By understanding the condition of Jean the behavioral intervention of psychoeducational group therapy is found truly effective when a person have to face suicidal thoughts or have tried to commit suicide. As Jean suffers from the manic attacks along with depressive episodes too; therefore, psychoeducational model is effective. He results of the psychoediucational therapy include improvements in the attitude of the patients towards pharmacotherapy. If the therapies of psychoeducational are continued, number of hospitalization of the patient decreases though it shows decrease in the severity of the disease. The therapy of psychoeducation is considered by the physician as a helpful adjunctive maintenance therapy that reduces the symptoms of bipolar disorder noticeably and serves a patient to live closer to a normal life. Additionally, the conjunction of psychoeducational program with the pharmacotherapy has also been investigated as influential certainly for those patients who have attempted to suicide. Though, in order to treat the patient like Jean Slater a family-focused psychoeducational model could be is found significant as it shows prominent results even within the period of 1 year. In EastEnders, whenever Jean is focused in any episode, one of the prominent traits she demonstrates is the manic episodes. Physicians believe that the contribution of family can serve in reducing the symptoms and psychoeducational model is useful in overcoming the manic-depressive episodes of bipolar disorder in Jean Slater (Yatham & Maj, 2011). Strength and Weaknesses of the Model The effectiveness of psychoeducational is completely dependent on the people involved in running it, in terms of what is being put to support the model. Having a strong belief on psychoeducational model and under that belief if a person asks question and involves himself into particular activities, psychoeducation must serve to overcome the problem. As every person suffering from the illness needs to be completely informed by the his/her condition, because without knowing about the severity of the condition, no one can improve no matter how regularly medications and therapies are in taken. It can be said that the model of psychoeducation is the basis for managing the conditions of bipolar disorder. Therefore, when a sufferer acquires complete knowledge of his/her medical condition, he/she gets more faith in the model and treatment becomes easy, as it helps in gaining elevated sense of control over a medical conditions. There is no doubt that self-efficacy is nourished by the knowledge though that is important for making the treatment process easier. The model is slower as it does not only council the patients; however, the closed ones around him are also convinced and counseled to support the patient (Norman & Ryrie, 2009). As family psychoeducation engages problem solving, joining along with coping skills; thus, all these combine together and make a complete framework for the sufferer to be benefitted. The strengths of family psychoeducation involve improvements in clinical results and also help in improving functioning in the community. It also serves in reducing the interpersonal strains and existing stress within the family environment because family members start realizing the situation and try to manage a calm environment. On the other hand, psychoeducation model for the sufferers of bipolar disorder is essential because it also improves the cost-benefit ratio. Over the time, the patient’s rate of hospitalization reduces noticeably that demonstrates its effective outcomes over the conditions of the sufferer. As psychoeducation model emphasizes to work with families; therefore, its practices also make the others aware about the conditions of depression and manic so that it can be said that it benefits the society to some extent. When he model is being practiced sufferer is treated as an equal member of the family; therefore, the behavior of others gives him/her an emotional support to act normally along with realizing the problems he has been suffering. Thus, it can be said that the psychoeducation is fundamental and core model to start with the treatment of bipolar disorder, as without education nothing can be achieved to cope up with the situation (Tyrer & Steinberg, 2006). The model of psychoeducation has more strengths rather than weaknesses; therefore, if any weakness exists that may not be worthy enough to be given much importance by the physician when a person is to be treated. When a sufferer with bipolar disorder also suffers from any other physical disease though the medications given for the certain medical condition may conflict with the medications prescribed for treating bipolar disorder. However, the conflicts can be ignored as no serious disadvantages are found affecting the health of the sufferer. On the other hand, some of the physicians and psychiatrists believe that bipolar disorder can also be treated just by focusing the sufferer where there is no such need to involve the friends and family because if family members have some personal conflicts with the sufferer they may try to accuse the person from his sufferings. Nevertheless, such a notion has never been taken as effective because the strengths provided by the model have proved themselves by showing the evidences in the form of improvements in the patients (Colom & Vieta, 2006). Moreover, it has also been observed that under the practices of psychoeducation several sessions are conducted. A psychiatrist while delivering his expertise to the client by proving interesting content because this helps in keeping a sufferer to feel joy and relaxation throughout the treatment processes. It broadens the perceptions of the sufferers though he/she keeps in touch with the trends of the progressing world. Physician also gives space to the patient’s family member to share their views about the conditions being suffered by their loved ones though this is important to enhance the knowledge of the physician to treat well. Therefore, it can be said that psychooeducation is advantageous more than it is disadvantageous for the sufferer (Tummey & Turner, 2008). Role Played by Patient and Family There is no doubt that when a family member suffers from a severe disease, the situation does not only affect the patient; however, each member of the family is also affected by the disorder certainly when the disturbance is like bipolar disorder. It is obvious that family members may feel alienated when their loved ones act differently than they used to be. The manic episodes are very common in bipolar sufferers; thus, it has been located that when the family members usually go into minor depression when people they feel a new person in place of the person they knew. Moreover, when sufferers experience frequent episodes of depression, family members can help the person in cheering up the mood. However, a fact is still there people suffering from bipolar disorder has very frequent mood swings that may let the family members think as they are having a ride of rollercoaster and that is uncontrollable to them (Barlow & Durand, 2011). On the other hand, all the members of the family are required to keep it into their mind that a sufferer of bipolar disorder does not have control over his/her mood swing condition. Those who do not suffer from the mood disorder possess good control over their moods; therefore, they expect the patient to control his/her mood as they can do. As it is understood that the self control is one of the signs of self-discipline and maturity, though, people with bipolar disorder are taken seriously by others surrounding them. Similarly in the case of Jean Slater, she is found being ignored by the people; however, her daughter Stacey helped her out in coping with the situation she has been facing. The family of a sufferer can also be affected by showing emotional distress, in which worry and grief can be prominent in the nature of the family members. The daily routine life of the family member can also be influenced by the disruption by the illness of a family member. Nevertheless, family and closed friends of the patient play important role in helping the recovery of the patient suffering from bipolar disorder. As family members are much closer to observe the frequent modification in the behavior; therefore, they always need to inform the physician by telling the frequent mood swings in patient’s behavior (Norman & Ryrie, 2009). The family members are required to keep the environment stress-free in all ways, as this is one of the effective ways to manage the problem of the patient suffering from such an illness. On the pother hand, people suffering from bipolar disorder are usually found confronting with the seductiveness of mania. However, family members should also take this situation seriously as productivity in manic situation is actually damaging for the patient. Therefore, even during the manic episodes, family members are required not to stop the medication of the patient. Additionally, patient should also be convinced by the family and the psychiatrist to corporate with the treatment processes, so that effective results can be gained (Yatham & Maj, 2011). Conclusion As the peppier aimed to study about the character of Jean Slater as the sufferer of bipolar disorder and the treatment interventions of the disorder; thus, it has completed its journey successfully. Many assumptions related to the interventions have been covered by the paper. The model of psychoeducation has been a main focus of the paper. The research about the model gives an insight that that the involvement of the family members is essential for the betterment of the sufferer. The model has been effective enough in reducing the hospitalization of the patient. This has been selected after studying the characteristics shown by Jean Slater, where was found attempting suicide too. While finding the strengths and weaknesses of the interventions, its strengths are found dominating the scenario over its few weaknesses. Therefore, it can be said that the model of psychoeducation is effective for the sufferers of the bipolar disorder because it keeps the patient and his/her being aware about the problems brought by the disorder. List of References Barlow, D. H. & Durand, V. M., 2011. Abnormal Psychology: An Integrative Approach. 6 ed. New York: Cengage Learning. Colom, F. & Vieta, E., 2006. Psychoeducation Manual for Bipolar Disorder. illustrated ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Hephaestus Books, 2011. Articles on Eastenders Families, Including: Beale Family, Karim Family, Branning Family, Mitchell Family, Ferreira Family, Watts Family. illustrated ed. New York: Hephaestus Books. Ketter, T. A., 2005. Advances in Treatment of Bipolar Disorder (Review of Psychiatry, Volume 24). American Psychiatric Pub ed. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Pub. Norman, I. & Ryrie, I., 2009. The Art and Science of Mental Health Nursing. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill International. Otto, M. et al., 2008. Managing Bipolar Disorder:A Cognitive Behavior Treatment Program Workbook: A Cognitive Behavior Treatment Program Workbook. illustrated ed. New York: Oxford University Press. Suppes, T. & Dennehy, E., 2010. Bipolar Disorder Assessment and Treatment. 2 ed. London: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. Tummey, R. & Turner, T., 2008. Critical issues in mental health. illustrated ed. Michigan: Palgrave Macmillan. Tyrer, P. & Steinberg, D., 2006. Models for Mental Disorder. 4th ed. west Suxxes: John Wiley & Sons. Yatham, L. N., Kutcher, S. P. & Kusumakar, V., 2002. Bipolar Disorder: A Clinician's Guide to Treatment Management. illustrated ed. New York:Taylor & Francis. Yatham, L. N. & Maj, M., 2011. Bipolar Disorder: Clinical and Neurobiological Foundations. 2 ed. London: John Wiley & Sons. Read More