I don't know if this is relevant or been discussed here. But I am wondering if it is possible that Rita had bipolar issues on top of the stress of being a lawyer and her less than ideal personal life. Have known people like her albeit in different areas and I wonder if her mood changes were the result of bipolar disorder. Any ideas?
shareNah, I don't see that. She's mostly just a stessed-out work freak. If she had unmedicated bipolar illness, it's unlikely she could have had the law success she did. With a more mild bipolar, it's possible, but there is just no hint she struggled with a mood disorder in addition to her stressful career and equally absentee husband.
Out of curiosity, what would make you think she possibly suffered from bipolar illness? The being in "high gear," and her rapid speech? Ya know, those things aren't always indications of bipolar illness. :p
Have known people in the workplace like Rita and it is just something I thought of. What made me wonder about the possibility of bipolar disorder is how she is stressed one minute and semi-happy-go-lucky the next. How about when she yells at Patricia in the office and kicks the candy jar over when she almost trips on it? Would that not be similar to someone being elated one minute and then screaming, yelling, and slamming doors or something ten minutes later?
shareYeah, you bring up a good point. That kind of erratic behavior happens in bipolar illness. I still took away from that kind of actions to be more indicative of a high-powered professional who didn't manage stress well. Rita going bananas with the coffee table seemed to be more a "final straw" reaction when she was already overwhelmed with her afternoon and then quarrelling with her son on the phone moments before.
Almost a year ago when I first posted here, I think I also thought Rita probably didn't have bipolar because she starts to mellow out over time. We see her change for the better, and her improvement seemed more to be thanks to connection with Sam. Perhaps also it was a relief when her husband and she split. Unless her improvement was due to getting on bipolar meds. ;)
No. In bipolar disorder a person's mood doesn't change that fast. It's at least weeks of depression or manic behaviour with longer periods of normal behaviour in between.
Usually only 2-3 episodes happen in a year, not 5 daily.
She was just stressed and rash.