Through the door: a bipolar therapy test?

By Dr Suzanne A Black and Stuart Jessiman

Dr Suzanne A Black

Dr Suzanne A Black

‘I’m off on one.’ I’m now explaining how I use poor metaphors to describe one of those days where I my mood goes up and down so rapidly I could generate electricity. I’ve described myself flying through a fantastic blue sky with the warmth of the sun on my back. I just feel good!!!! Energy abounds. Now in my imagination I’m sprinting on stage to accept an Oscar for the film script I haven’t yet written, or acknowledging the acclaim for my award-winning painting – still needing a canvas and paint. All is possible in this BIG universe!! Wow!!  You’re a talented individual, my man!  Yet, only hours later, I feel the dead hand of lethargy and futility burst the bubble of brilliance and now I feel so stupid for believing I was anything close to being special. Now I just want to nail myself beneath the bed covers and sleep away the disappointments, the idiocy that is my life. Why do I insist on believing I can fly so high despite it always ending like this?

‘What Stuart is experiencing is what is called a mixed hypomanic and depressive state in which thoughts

Stuart Jessiman

Stuart Jessiman – about to find out he’s bipolar.

and feelings sore and take nose dives, go up and down and all around, all very quickly, suddenly often without warning, and make the person feel that they have lost total control over their mind and emotions , which can lead to a progressive downfall into what feels like an abyss of no return . If this type of mood shifting occurs, where there is a rapidity of rather extreme mood vacillations in a short period of time, then we consider this type of bipolar to be what is called Ultradian Rhythm Rapid Cycling Bipolar – quite a complicated picture. Mood.’

‘I cannot be sure, but I believe I know what is troubling Stuart. I ask if he’s free in the afternoon since I have a cancellation. He pauses then says yes. I have a little test I’d like you to consider taking I say to him…’mmm okay’, he says.’

A test? Strange, but my missus will be pleased and I cannot think of a good reason not to go other than a want not to go. This is therapy and this profession knows what’s she’s doing.

The following post is one where I describe the doing the therapy test. If it were to name all the capitals in the world then I would be saved, sane and not be writing this. Unfortunately, it asked questions about me and these tend to be the ones I know nothing about.