Mental Health Interviews

For this project, I interviewed two people who have and are experiencing the effects of Bipolar Disorder. The first person I interviewed was an old friend from my high school, Tisha Stanley. The second person I interviewed was one of my cousins who lives in Cedar City, Utah. Both of these interviews were conducted via electronic messaging. I will be uploading their pictures once I find suitable photos.

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness where the subject experiences alternating periods of euphoria and
depression. These mood shifts cause tremendous stress on the subject, resulting in distress in the individual's daily life.

Manic Episode: A state of euphoria characterized by exceptional energy, restlessness, trouble concentrating, risky behavior, and a poor sleep schedule. Symptoms are extremely obvious and hospitalization may be required during an episode. This kind of episode is rare.

Hypomanic Episode: This is a  less severe form of a manic episode. Symptoms are not as obvious and may take some observation to notice, although they still interfere with normal functioning. This kind of episode occurs at a moderate rate.

Depressive Episode: A state of depression that is characterized by tiredness, irritability, trouble concentrating, changes in sleeping habits, changes in eating habits, and even thoughts of suicide.

Bipolar Disorder is categorized into multiple types:

Bipolar Type I: For diagnosis, you must have had at least one manic episode, with a depressive episode occurring before or after the manic episode.

Bipolar Type II: For diagnosis, you must have had a major depressive episode lasting at least two weeks and a hypomanic episode. Euphoria is not as severe as in type I, but depressive episodes are
significantly more persistent and last much longer.

Cyclothymia ("Bipolar Type III"): For diagnosis, you must have experienced hypomanic and depressive episodes consistently for a period of at least 2 years. Symptoms are definitely milder than in the other two types, but they are chronic instead of temporary.


INTERVIEWS

Name: Tisha Stanley

Age: 18 (senior in high school)

Type: Bipolar I

1. What are the symptoms that you have experienced?

Well, in my manic state, I'm usually restless. I can't keep my mind in one place for very long and I find myself rapidly daydreaming about things that don't matter too much. I usually can't sleep, and if I do, it's not for very long. When I'm in a depressive state, I'm just drained. I can't find the motivation to get out of bed because I don't have the energy to. I tend to eat a lot to try to fill myself up.

2. When and how did this diagnosis happen?

I didn't realize that I had symptoms until my junior year, but my mom tells me she noticed something was off about the time I was about to leave junior high. I remember times when I would only get about 6 hours over 3 days because I was too hyper to stay asleep for long; I would horribly on tests because of the lack of sleep and I couldn't focus, especially in my Chemistry class! My mind would just be bouncing between thoughts that didn't make much sense, maybe like how cheese is made or all of the junk that I could spend my paycheck from my part-time job on. I would even leave the room unexpectedly sometimes because I just needed to walk around to get my hyperness under control.

There were also times where I couldn't get myself ready for school. I have a good amount of absences from skipping 3 or 4 days in a row because I was too worn out to even get out of my room. If you walked into my room at those times, you would find me curled up in my bed with bags of Lay's potato chips and my dirty laundry on the floor. I had to take summer school because of all of the days that I missed. 

Near final exams at the end of the school year, I was in a dangerous manic episode (although I didn't know it at the time). I had decided to run out onto a busy road during lunch, causing cars to swerve. Someone had informed the police and I was taken to the station. My parents have informed soon after and they came to pick me up. I was taken to a hospital in Dallas for an evaluation where we found out about my disorder. 

3. What has been the biggest challenge of dealing with bipolar disorder?

How out of control I feel sometimes. I find it discouraging when I have to cancel plans because I'm stuck in depression or when I have to run outside to get rid of my extra energy instead of resting. I wish I could control the plans that I make. 

4. What is it like to live with bipolar disorder?

Well... I think I can deal with it better than before my diagnosis, but it's still hard to handle sometimes. My family tries to help me when I'm in a mood episode of any kind, and that makes me feel guilty.

5. What are some treatments that you have used?

I've tried medication and therapy. I haven't had this diagnosis for long, so I'm still trying to find new ways to deal with it. 

6.Which of these treatments were successful and which ones didn't work well?

I don't like taking medication... I've tried a few mood stabilizers, but I get stuck in a feeling of tiredness, like, I can't shake myself into feeling peppy. I'm okay with therapy though. I meet with my therapist every couple of weeks to track my progress. It's nice to talk things through. 

7. Are there specific people who have helped you along the way?

My family for sure, especially my mom. She's the one who encourages me when I'm tired. She helps me take care of myself and she spends time with me so I'm not overwhelmed by feeling so hollow. 

8. How is your quality of life now that you have undergone these experiences?

I feel like my life is better now that I know what goes on inside my head and how to deal with my extremes. I have people who support me when I'm not doing so well. 

Name: Anthony Jackson

Age: 29

Type: Bipolar Type II

1. What are the symptoms that you have experienced?

In a hypo manic state, I find myself being excessively social and goal oriented. I feel incredibly confident, so I tend to enjoy speeding on busy roads, especially on my motorcycle. I've gotten a good amount of tickets that way. I've also been caught gambling with lottery tickets and I used to drive all the way to Las Vegas to gamble there.

When I'm in a major depressive episode, life doesn't really matter to me. I can't enjoy the little things in life, the gifts that I've been given. I used to slice my wrists just so I could feel a sensation, feel like I still existed (thankfully not anymore thanks to my different coping mechanisms). I would think about my death, all of the ways it could have to happen. I'm grateful for making it through those thoughts. 

2. When and how did this diagnosis happen?

It was during my college years, I believe the second year of my undergrad degree. A few of my friends during that time noticed that I was exhibiting some unusual behaviors. I was starting to have periods of time where I would be extremely talkative (I'm actually quite reserved and have been my entire life) and I would be actively goal-oriented to the point where it interfered with my friendships and relationships. I couldn't keep a girlfriend for long because there were many times where I would become hyper and work motivated so I wouldn't spend much time with my girlfriend... it, unfortunately, didn't affect me much since I was so elated.

I think it was my depressive states that really caught everyone's attention. I got my undergrad degree in graphic design, so I had to work on numerous art projects. The art file on my laptop has a record of my art, and I found a pattern where I would turn in rather... violent pieces. Even though most of my projects were supposed to be advertisements, there would be a period of a few weeks or so where all of my work would feature graphic elements like scarring skin, splatters that looked a lot like blood, you know, things like that. I felt like I had to do that, go to the extreme to make up for the emptiness inside myself. My professor noticed my unusual work (as did my peers) and she had a serious talk with me one day after class. We talked through some of my issues and I even got the courage to show her the cuts on my wrists. She was the one who helped me find a psychologist and get my diagnosis. 

3. What has been the biggest challenge of dealing with bipolar disorder?

Learning how to manage it so that it's not so unpredictable. College became 10 times worse when my symptoms first showed up because I couldn't stay consistent with anything. I've had to learn how to plan extra time for my mood cycles.

4. What is it like to live with bipolar disorder?

It's a learning experience, definitely. I've faced challenges with dealing with my mood swings. I plan on giving myself plenty of time to get my homework/projects finished in case I end up in a depressive state for a few days. 

5. What are some treatments that you have used?

I've seen a few therapists off and on over the years and I've tried different medications.

6.Which of these treatments were successful and which ones didn't work well?

I don't really have any complaints about the treatments that I've used. The combination of weekly consoling sessions and the use of lithium has assisted me.

7. Are there specific people who have helped you along the way?

My professor has been the most significant person in my journey. If she hadn't said anything to me about her concerns and help me find my way to recover, who knows where I would be right now.

There's also my friends from college for sure. They were there with me when I was going through the process of dealing with my newly found disorder. 

8. How is your quality of life now that you have undergone these experiences?

My life has improved now that I know how to handle my Bipolar symptoms. I have friends and family that support me and I have the knowledge to combat my ups and downs. Life's pretty good. :)



SOURCES

Differences Between Bipolar I and Bipolar II Disorder 

Bipolar I VS. Bipolar II

Cyclothymia

#PsychStory

This is a set of poems that express my experience with having a speech disorder growing up. It was a struggle for me in numerous ways to cope with such a setback early on in life, and I am fortunate enough to have made a recovery. 

My heart goes out to the people who wrestle with speech delays and disorders, those who are bullied and shunned for the troubles that they can't help to endure. They are much stronger than they believe themselves to be and they have talents beyond that of mere words. 

Having difficulty with language is burdensome to a person of any culture so it would be beneficial for people all over the globe to understand this barrier and how to assist those who face it.

3-5 YEARS

A room doused
In Green

Carpet of a Forest Floor
And a Pastel Lime aura circling us

That's right.

A woman is with me.
A therapist, my mother had said

The therapist with a vague face
With a rememberable voice
Steady as she commands
With a sharp sliver of silver
Rolling in her slender fingers:

"Thumbtack"

I'm supposed to echo those words
But they rise from my throat as oil
Vile, undesirable
And they ooze from my lips
Splashing into a terrible mess

The therapist doesn't spit the words back in rage
She simple cleans the spill
And tries again.

And Again.

And Again...

"Thumbtack"

6 YEARS
My mother went to speak 
To my Kindergarten teacher
Ms.Stacy

Oh, Sweet Stacy
With a kind heart
Told my mother 

"The girl may need help...
She needs more attention
Than I can give."

My mother was silent
Special Education??
For a little stutter??

"No," my mother said,
She believed in me
Even though I fell

A   y e a r   b e h i n d

10 YEARS

We moved
Hundreds of miles
From Utah to New Hampshire
And there is no one here
For me

My tongue gets caught in my throat
Whenever I dare think
Of trying to say hello
To the strangers
Who never smile

















They drift away
As if I am the Plague
Personified

I can only bite my tongue
And hope a nothing escapes
To make an even bigger fool
Out of myself

Let me read my stories,
Let me scribble in my notebooks,
Just don't let me
Say a word...


14 YEARS 
I've flown to the South
A little closer to my origins

I'm still as reclusive as ever,
But words don't matter
As much as they used to

I slip into the band hall
And speak through my clarinet

I write in the language of music
I compose symphonies
Only the future can hear



I hide in the library
Living through my favorite stories
Learning to create my own

When my peers call me
"Stupid"
For being a sloppy speaker
Or when they say
"Retarded"
For refusing to respond
I remember the

EXPRESSION

I have with music and writing
How I don't need to speak perfectly
In order to be human

18 YEARS

I've grown
In my courage

Strong enough to be a leader,
The president of the Marching Band

I am in charge of so much
I am trusted with so much

To love all of the people
That I care for now
To communicate my trust
In them




Music is a language
That spans across
Nations and Cultures

It is music
That speaks
When words fail

Therefore I dedicate myself
To this discipline
That has given me
The gracious gift
Of a voice

My mother believed in me
For a reason such as this...

#PsychStory

Memory Project

For this psychology project, I interviewed Aaron Hunt, a friend of mine from Hardin Simmons. We explored the capabilities of human memory with a game! You can check out the videos down below to see footage of the interview. 









I tested Aaron's ability to recall memories by reading two lists of words to him, then asking him to write down as many words as he could remember. The lists are as follows:

Given List #1

Thread	Point
Pin	Hurt
Eye	Knitting
Injection	Prick
Syringe	Thimble
Sewing	Haystack
Sharp	Pain

Given List #2

Bed	Rest	Drowse	Dentist
Awake	Blanket	Nurse	Physician
Tired	Doze	Sick	Patient
Dream	Slumber	Lawyer	Stethoscope
Wake	Nap	Medicine	Curse
Snooze	Peace	Health	Clinic
Snore	Yawn	Hospital	Surgeon

Aaron's First List

Thread

Pin

Haystack

Pain

Aaron's Second List

Sleep	Hospital
Snooze	Nurse
Bed	Pillow
Blanket

Thoughts...

 

Thumbs up with Aaron Hunt! 

By taking look at the given lists and the lists written by Aaron, you may have picked up on a few interesting insights. 

In the first list, Aaron was able to recall the first and last words. These are prime examples of the "primacy" effect (remembering the first item of a sequence) and the "recency" effect (remembering the most recent item of a sequence).

In the second list, you can see that Aaron wrote down a few words that were not even on the list! He added the words "Sleep" and "Pillow" (not "Snooze" like I had accidentally stated in the video... whoops!). 

This is an exhibition of the "false memory" effect (a fabricated memory that distorts someone's view of reality). This effect can be minor (remembering a word that was not said, remembering an item being in a different place than it is, etc...) or it can be serious (believing oneself was abused by someone else when they were not, believing oneself has committed a crime when they have not, etc...). 

It is clear that memory can be both helpful and harmful for understanding the world around us. It can aid in having a recollection of the past, but it can also warp our perceptions of history and the present.