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Silver talks about taking medication and seeing her therapist, and medication and psychotherapy both are important components of bipolar disorder treatment. Though it’s uncertain if “90210” will go beyond a narrow portrayal of bipolar disorder, the episodes do underscore several important points: Her sister, Kelly (played by Jennie Garth), is supportive, but stifling, as she tries to create a highly regimented environment for Erin. She voiced her frustration at having to maintain a strict regimen that includes a regular schedule for meals and sleep, taking her medication, seeing her therapist, journaling and avoiding anything “stimulating” - including not reading a “stimulating” book. In the episode that aired the week of April 13, Silver was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and received treatment. As often happens during manic phases, Silver ends up making destructive decisions, which end with her at the train station, rambling and bewildered, running toward a speeding train. The PortrayalĮrin Silver (played by Jessica Stroup), one of the main characters, displays a variety of classic bipolar symptoms, including erratic, reckless behavior, racing speech, grandiose ideas, hypersexuality, lack of sleep, euphoria and confusion (see here for an excerpt on YouTube). For many of them, this is their first look at bipolar disorder.
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So when a TV show aims to address mental illness, you hold your breath and hope for the best - especially if it’s a drama like “90210,” whose primary audience is teens. Stigma in mainstream media is nothing new, and has a long, insidious history (see here for examples). “The script usually goes as follows: tragic event occurs, media pounces, the feeding frenzy begins, the public is inundated with endless graphic and heart-wrenching details, pundits and analysts play the blame game until the next media firestorm occurs.”