Carrie Fisher* Princess of the Poles *

Becca Lynn

Background-55 yr. female, single-American actress, novelist, screenwriter, & performing artist-family history of mental illness-history of alcohol and substance abuse-divorced; 20 yr. old daughter-great r.ship with mother, resentment towards father-pattern of traumatic relationships-history of inconsistent medication schedules-goals: continue to write and perform, lose weight, repair r.ship with dad-weaknesses: impulsivity, inconsistency

Presenting Problem-trouble regulating moods with medication-concerned about effect of her disorder on her daughter-fear of cycling into depression

Masters of Education in Counselor Education

Elementary School Counseling

DIAGNOSIS: AXIS I-IV & GAFI: 296.43 Bipolar I Disorder, Recurrent Episode Manic, Severe Without Psychotic Features V61.20 Parent-Child Relational ProblemII: V71.09 No diagnosisIII. NoneIV: Problems with primary support group, Occupational ProblemsV: GAF= 37 (at admission)GAF= 58 (current)

The results of the assessments confirm a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

The Patient has relationships problems with her father, causing much distress. She also is unable to find creative outlets during depression, and cannot write during extreme manic episodes due to lack of cohesive though patterns.

At time of admission, the patient reported racing thoughts, could not sleep, and had racing thoughts.After implementation of medication, the patient has moderate symptoms but has returned to her regular lifestyle.

Recommended Interventions-ECT for depression -Solution Focused Brief Therapy--instilling life skills that will help reduce stress and trigger the onset of symptoms-Enhancement of communication skills--to assist in repairing r.ship with dad; building a better r.ship with daughter-Continued monitoring of medication schedule

Q: Can you tell me about when the symptoms began?

A: I attributed the sypmtoms, not sleeping, constant talking, to Hollywood,

at first. I was originally diagnosed with bipolar at 24.

Q: At 24, what was your treatment plan?

A: I was prescribed medication but at that time I was highly addicted to

alcohol and illict drugs so it was difficult to decern the cause of my mood

swings.

Q: What was the mania like when it was escalated?

A: Like being a balloon going up into the sky. You keep going up and it

gets faster and faster until you can’t see the ground anymore. I stop being

able to connect.

Q: What kind of problems has this caused in your personal and professional life?

A: The relationship with my daughter is affected because I can’t properly

care for her. It inhibits my writing. I haven’t been able to heal the

relationship with my dad.

Q: What would you like to get out of our time together

A: I would like to figure out how to stop the moods. I have never been good

at following a medication schedule.

Q: What are some things that you have tried that offset the moods?

A: The medication helps. Sobriety. A good support system.

The graph shows the patient’s up’s and down’s experienced in the recent years. The prediction is that she will likely experience a depressive episode

since she is currently recovering from a manic episode.

Part of the treatment utilizes ECT therapy in order to reduce the severity of depression.

AssessmentsBAC & 10-panel Urine screening

NEGATIVESASSI-3: low abuse (current)BDI-II: 18 (mild depression)

Mood Disorders Questionnaire:confirmed BIPOLAR diagnosis

Interview