Modern Love: A Portrayal of Bipolar Disorder
Have you seen the new Amazon Prime series Modern Love? If you are able to, check it out! It is based off of essays from the wonderful NY Times column with the same title.
Most interestingly, episode three stars Anne Hathaway as a woman who is living with bipolar disorder. Lexi, who was diagnosed with the illness when she was in high school, struggles with dating, work, and at times just existing in society. Although some reviews found that Hathaway “over-acted” this was a poignant and very real depiction of what living with this illness is like.
My favorite part was how the episode ended. After being let go from her new job (for being unreliable, is what I can guess), Lexi finally reveals to a former coworker/supervisor that she has bipolar disorder. The catharsis she seemed to feel once her diagnosis is out there is contagious. She calls old coworkers, boyfriends, and friends to explain why she may have behaved unpredictably in the past, and the level of understanding she received was very positive, and very hopeful. In the end Lexi was stable, on proper medication, and ready to begin a new chapter of dating in her life. What stood out to me was the point that isolation is not the answer. Having bipolar disorder is not something to be ashamed of, it is a piece of a person to be shared as they see fit within the bounds of their own comfort level, but it should never be something to feel shame over.
I have one critique of the episode. When she explained her diagnosis, she said “I’m bipolar” instead of “I have bipolar disorder.” Each person is so much more than any diagnosis they have, and it seems that mental health conditions take over a person’s entire persona when phrased this way. Lexi is also a successful lawyer, a daughter, a redhead, and more (outside of what the episode can include). A diagnosis is a part of us, but it does not define us!
It is always refreshing to see real yet inspiring, relatable, and positive portrayals of individuals living with mental illness, and we will continue to highlight those here. Please check out the episode and let us know what you think in the comments below!
