According to DSM-5 Criteria, major depressive episode is classified as having at least five of the symptoms, including depressed mood, lack of pleasure in activities, unusual sleeping pattern, significant change in weight or in appetite, loss of energy, sense of worthlessness or guilt, difficulties in thinking, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. In additions, criteria for a manic episode includes having symptoms such as increased self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, unusual talkativeness, racing thoughts, increased goal-directed activity, and involvement in activities that can cause painful or dangerous consequences. These symptoms must be experienced over a two-week period of time in order to meet the DSM-5 criteria for Bipolar Disorder. In the movie Silver Lining Playbook, Pat is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder based on the DSM-5 criteria. He depicts symptoms of manic episodes including aggressive behavior (e.g., fighting with his parents and in the football game), increased self-esteem (e.g., believe that he can get his wife back), decreased need for sleep (e.g. sleep lately for reading Hemingway and wake up early for jogging), unusual talkativeness, and increased goal-directed activity (e.g. making great effort just to get his wife …show more content…
The Silver Lining Playbook discourages the use of medication treatment and suggests that love is the key to help people who suffer from bipolar disorder. The movie mainly focuses on his romantic relationship with his new dancing partner Tiffany who also suffers from mental illness. It implies that only people who suffer mental illnesses can understand and help each other. It also suggests that love and support are the only key treatments of bipolar disorder. However, this is not an accurate depiction of bipolar disorder treatment. In fact, Individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder need medication to cure their manic and depression episode. In this regard, the movie seems to be biased against medical treatment for mental disorder, which can negatively influence audiences to believe that they can deal with the condition alone rather than seeking professional