Anything Goes : Characters with Manic-Depression by Shawn Speake

Shawn, I worked in an inpatient psych unit with Bi-Polar patients. I've got some pretty crazy stories!

That's good stuff! I could use a list of mannerisms! Have you seen any movies on the subject where the MD hears God in the walls?

How fun that could be, Shawn! I'll list a few little tidbits. When I admitted a Manic male, I had to walk him out on the fenced in grounds around and around and around. During this time he talked over, and over, repeating himself, getting angrier and angrier, but eventually calmed down. A manic woman, one I'll never forget, 40ish year old, very manic had no idea who, where, or what she was. She walked around with a bent cigarette that she dipped into ketchup, licked it off, and pretended to be smoking it. She chummed up with a 90 year demented/abusive male pt with dried food smeared on his gray whiskers, sitting in a wheelchair. She often took his pillow and tucked it under her shirt thinking she was pregnant. She often times would sit on this old mans lap, kiss him on the crusty lips and call him "Daddy". She was a hard one to settle down as she would also try to strip down and dance naked on the nurse station counter. Others would write pages and pages of notes, usually on yellow legal pads because that is what we had, explaining what they thought was urgent news, and in the evening the Mother Ship would come in and get them from their desks. Then there were those whose meds would be kicking in and they would be crashed out in their beds not able to get up. We did this in order to get their blood levels at a therapeutic level. So we'd snow them, then taper off on the meds. This sometimes would be a couple month process so we got to know our patients quite well. Now…throw in a physician who hears God talk inside the walls and we have a fantastic story!!! I have more if you're interested! I did love my job! Never a dull day :)

That's a serious day job! It sounds like you could write another One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. That's wild. When I finish a solid draft of Aparicio, I'll hit you up to see what you think I could do to enhance the craziness! Thanks for your time.

I would love to help you out!! Just let me know and have fun with this one!

Word! You're awesome! I'm gonna take you up on that. And I'm always here to return the favor if you need another POV!

Hi Shawn! That's a tough one there has been lots of movies like that ...but off the top of my head I would have to say Nick Nolte in Down and Out in Beverly Hills even though he was rescued in the end.

What do you suggest for research, Kathryn?

Kathryn, you're pretty amazing!!!

That's a great scene. I will most definitely ask you for coverage on Aparicio when the time comes. Thanks for your input.

The Machinist comes to mind Shawn. Christian Bale gives a great performance, Frazer

Have worked as a residential Therapist with bi-polar clients, and one thing for you to decide is what kind of loop your character has ~ As Kathryn illustrates, some people cycle very swiftly while others take months.

I think MR. JONES (Richard Gere) was about manic depression.

http://www.storiedmind.com/resource/10-top-movies-depression-bipolar/

Happy Holidays, Shari and Mary! Thanks so much.