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Bipolar Disorder and Self-Determination: Predicating Self-Determination at Scope

Porter, Elliot (2022) Bipolar Disorder and Self-Determination: Predicating Self-Determination at Scope. Philosophy, Psychiatry, & Psychology, 29 (3). pp. 133-145. ISSN 1086-3303. E-ISSN 1071-6076. (doi:10.1353/ppp.2022.0030) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:100022)

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https://doi.org/10.1353/ppp.2022.0030

Abstract

Bipolar or related disorders (BoRD) present unique practical and existential problems for people who live with them. All agents experience changes in the things they care about over time. However people living with BoRD face drastic shifts in what seems valuable to them, which upset their longitudinal values (if, indeed, any stable longitudinal values are available in the first place). Navigating these evaluative high seas presents agents living with BoRD with a distinctive existential question, not shared by those on calmer waters. I draw out two contrasting ways in which someone living with BoRD might seek to support their self-determination in these circumstances, by crafting appropriate self care and support regimes. The first strategy involves managing one’s affective episodes so that they do not interrupt one’s plans and long-term agency over time. The second involves a regimen that allows one the greatest degree of freedom in adapting to changes in one’s experiences of value. What distinguishes these sorts of self-determination is the scope at which they are predicated. Although both sorts of self-determination allow an individual to rule themselves, they alter the overall shape of one’s autonomy in quite different ways.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1353/ppp.2022.0030
Uncontrolled keywords: Personal autonomy, self-determination, bipolar disorder, self-management, self-care
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > Department of Philosophy
Funders: University of Kent (https://ror.org/00xkeyj56)
Depositing User: Elliot Porter
Date Deposited: 20 Feb 2023 13:29 UTC
Last Modified: 08 Mar 2023 11:57 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/100022 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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