Question

Our roommate is acting very strangely. Although she has not slept much in the past few days, she says she is on top of the world. She has cleaned and re-cleaned her closets several times. She also took all her savings and invested it in a questionable financial venture. This period of non-stop activity has lasted for well over a week and is in sharp contrast to the depression and fatigue she exhibited earlier this semester. Your roommate is exhibiting symptoms of _____.

a) Major depressive disorder
b) Bipolar disorder
c) Generalized anxiety disorder
d) Schizophrenia

Answer 1

The roommate is exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder (b).

Step-by-step explanation:

The symptoms described indicate that the roommate is exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder (b). Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging from periods of depression to periods of mania. The student's roommate's lack of sleep, increased energy, impulsivity (investing savings in a questionable venture), and excessive cleaning are all consistent with the manic phase of bipolar disorder.