Gathering Collateral Information

Gathering Collateral Information

Ashford University

PSY 303

Gathering Collateral Information

IX. Collateral

According to Mrs. Woolf’s father Sir Leslie Stephen, she is very nervous and exhibits signs of anxiety and he is concerned that her mental state is very fragile. Leonard Woolf, Mrs. Woolf’s husband states that he believes that depression is the root of her problems and that he can spot the warning signs as she begins to have symptoms such as headaches, sleeplessness and it becomes hard for her to concentrate. This behavior tends to make her very delicate as she is not mentally stable when this happens. Mr. Woolf states that when these symptoms begin to manifest a breakdown could usually be avoided if Mrs. Woolf would promptly begin a period of inactivity.

Both Mrs. Woolf’s father and husband state that she becomes very fragile and delicate during times in which she begins to show signs and symptoms that are associated with previous manic episodes and that during these times when symptoms begin to appear it is best to immediately have her resort to rest and relaxation.

Mrs. Woolf’s father Sir Leslie Stephen exhibited signs of Cyclothymia as a child due to his unpredictable mood swings. Mr. Stephens also experienced several instances of unpredictable mentally instability during Mrs. Woolf’s childhood which could have contributed to the development of her mental health issues. Mrs. Woolf’s husband Leonard Woolf is the jealous man who is always questioning Mrs. Woolf regarding her relationship with friend Vita Sackville- West and starting arguments implying that there is something other than just a simple friendship present between the two which brings stress upon Mrs. Woolf which could make her vulnerable to undergo a manic episode.

There is no record of police reports or law enforcement involvement of any kind.

There are also no personality or intelligence tests available.

References

Koutsantoni, K. (2012). Manic depression in literature: the case of Virginia Woolf. [Journal Article]. Medical Humanities, 38(1), 7-14. https://doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2011-010075