Over the course of her memoir An Unquiet Mind, Dr. Kay Jamison recounts her experience with bipolar disorder both as a clinician and a client of psychotherapy. To better understand this experience, her journey can be analyzed through a series of lenses including theories of genetics and life stress. Both the way the theories let us see Dr. Jamison’s experience, as well as how her experience informs our understanding of the theories are examined. How these theoretical approaches are consistent with Dr. Jamison’s experience, as well as how these models aid in an understanding of the development of her conditions help to create the beginnings of a comprehensive examination of bipolar disorder. It is important to keep in mind that while there
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Genetics with a history of bipolar and high levels of life stress makes for an environment likely to produce bipolar disorder. Various studies have shown that while children in families with a history of bipolar are more likely to develop the disorder than children in families without that history, most children who have families with that history will not go on to develop bipolar disorder. This suggests that there is more at play than just genetics. The incorporation of life stress with genetic factors makes for a more complete picture of what triggers bipolar …show more content…
Jamison is it serves as a case study with specific factors working together (life stress, genetics, the company she held herself in). Dr. Jamison’s account of her experience with bipolar disorder is a very beneficial account to have, because it comes from someone well versed in the terms of her disorder. As a clinician, Dr. Jamison understands the nuances of her disorder in a way a layman would not, and as a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she can identify with those seeking therapy or taking lithium. Thus, her account of bipolar disorder is unique and all encompassing, which can be used to refine the theories used to understand the
Genetics with a history of bipolar and high levels of life stress makes for an environment likely to produce bipolar disorder. Various studies have shown that while children in families with a history of bipolar are more likely to develop the disorder than children in families without that history, most children who have families with that history will not go on to develop bipolar disorder. This suggests that there is more at play than just genetics. The incorporation of life stress with genetic factors makes for a more complete picture of what triggers bipolar …show more content…
Jamison is it serves as a case study with specific factors working together (life stress, genetics, the company she held herself in). Dr. Jamison’s account of her experience with bipolar disorder is a very beneficial account to have, because it comes from someone well versed in the terms of her disorder. As a clinician, Dr. Jamison understands the nuances of her disorder in a way a layman would not, and as a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she can identify with those seeking therapy or taking lithium. Thus, her account of bipolar disorder is unique and all encompassing, which can be used to refine the theories used to understand the