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Gabby Balbuena

Mr. King

English 1

9 January 2019

Walter Lee Bipolar Diagnosis

“In a given year, bipolar disorder affects about 5.7 million American adults, or about

2.6% of the U.S. population 18 and older, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.”

(Doheny, 2008). Walter Lee, the father figure in ​A Raisin in the Sun ​displays many qualities that

a bipolar person may have. In some cases, he shows signs of a manic phase, feeling confident

and positive. At other times, Walter Lee shows signs of depressed episodes, feeling a sense of

hopelessness and guilt.​ ​Walter Lee Younger displays several symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, “A

mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or

hypomania) and lows (depression).” (MayoClinic).

Someone who has Bipolar Disorder will experience manic cycles, throughout the story

Walter Lee shows many of the signs of someone having a manic episode. When manic episodes

occur, one will experience extreme happiness and feel as if they can achieve anything. During

the story, Walter Lee is given thousands of dollars from his mother who advised him to put some

in his sister’s savings and the rest into a checkings account under his name. Instead of doing this,

Walter Lee invested all of the money into a liquor store and soon finds out it was a scam.

“ ‘MAMA: Son I gave you 6,500 dollars. Is it gone?’ ‘WALTER: Yessss! All of it… It’s all
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gone…’ ” (Hansberry 129). Walter Lee wastes $6,500 because he made a bad decision on how

he should spend his money. “Symptoms of a manic episode may include engaging in risky

behavior such as lavish spending… or ill-advised business decisions.” (Latuda). He feels that he

can achieve his dream of owning a business, in this case, a liquor store, and because of this he

acts impulsively and puts in all of the remaining money that his family had. Bipolar Disorder has

two main mood swings, manic and depressed. These are just two of the many symptoms that one

may have during a manic phase.

Throughout the story, Walter Lee exhibited signs of having depressed episodes. When

someone experiences a depressed episode, they will feel depressed and become pessimistic. In

Act 2, Scene 2, Ruth and Mama were informed that Walter Lee had been missing work and when

they confronted him, he did not seem to care. “RUTH: ‘She said if you don’t come in tomorrow

that they are getting a new man…’ WALTER: ‘Ain’t that sad—ain’t that crying sad.’ RUTH:

‘She said Mr. Arnold has had to take a cab for three days … Walter, you ain’t been to work for

three days! (This is a revelation to her) Where you been, Walter Lee Younger? (WALTER looks

at her and starts to laugh) You’re going to lose your job.’ WALTER: ‘That’s right …’ (He turns

on the radio.” (Hansberry 105). Walter Lee has lost interest in his work and his motivation. “​A

depressive episode​ is characterized by extreme sadness, a lack of energy or interest in things, an

inability to enjoy normally pleasurable activities and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.”

(Grohol, 2018). He feels hopeless and displays a lack of energy as well. Overall, Walter Lee

shows many signs of him having a depressed episode.

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Many people may believe that Walter Lee does not have Bipolar Disorder but has

Depression. They fail to see that he not only displays extreme sadness and hopelessness, but also

extreme positivity and aggressiveness. ​Those who believe that he has Depression think that his

manic episodes are showing his regular personality. For example, when he talks to his mother

about his dreams of achieving his most wanted goals, some might believe that he is acting

normal. “​Sometimes it’s like I can see the future stretched out in front of me – just plain as day.

The future, Mama. Hanging over there at the edge of my days. Just waiting for me – a big,

looming blank space – full of ​nothing​. Just waiting for ​me​. But it don’t have to be.” (Hansberry

75-76). ​Although this is a good argument and it is understandable for one to think that Walter

Lee was a normal version of himself, it is not the stronger argument because this would be an

example of a manic episode. “​People describe a manic mood as feeling very euphoric, “on top of

the world,” and being able to do or accomplish anything.” (Bressert). ​He describes his goal to his

mother and then proceeds to say that he will accomplish this goal of his. Walter Lee is feeling

unstoppable, as if he can achieve anything, and extremely positive, which is a symptom of a

manic phase.

Walter Lee displays several symptoms that a Bipolar person may experience, meaning he,

as well, might have the disorder. ​His displayed symptoms include lavish spending, irritability,

aggressiveness, an exaggerated positive outlook, extreme sadness, hopelessness, and loss of

interest in usual activities. The chance of a young adult (19-40) having Bipolar Disorder is very

common (Mayo Clinic) and Walter Lee is in that age range. Ambition and greed; these combined

with a mental disorder can tear up a family.

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Citations

“Bipolar Disorder.” ​Mayo Clinic​, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 31 Jan.

2018,​www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955​.

Bressert, Steve. “Introduction to Bipolar Disorder.” ​Psych Central​, 28 Mar. 2018,

psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar/introduction-to-bipolar-disorder/.

Doheny, Kathleen. “8 Bipolar Myths: Symptoms, Mania, Diagnosis, Statistics, and More.”

WebMD​, WebMD, 2008,

www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/features/8-myths-about-bipolar-disorder#1​.

“Find Out More.” ​LATUDA​, ​www.latuda.com/bpd/bipolar-depression-symptoms.html​.

Grohol, John M. “Bipolar Disorder Guide: Symptoms, Treatment & More | PsychCentral.” ​Psych

Central​, 10 Jan. 2019, psychcentral.com/disorders/bipolar/.

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