The author of All the Bright Places, Jennifer Niven, is relatively new to young adult literature. Out of Niven’s many works of literature, All the Bright Places, is her first work with the central focus toward a younger audience. Niven is no stranger to the dark side of mental health portrayed in this work. Niven has had first- hand experience with suicide as she has said in the author’s note, “Several years ago, a boy I knew and loved killed himself. I was the one who discovered him”(Niven 381). To write this work of literature consisting of such heavy themes added a sense of authenticity with a personal connection as the foundation.
The novel All the Bright Places explored the consequences of undiagnosed mental disorders. The reasoning …show more content…
Surgeon General (1999), approximately 20 percent of youths suffer from a mental disorder that produces at least mild functional impairment, and 5 percent to 9 percent are identified as having serious emotional disturbances”. (Bulanda 2014)
The magnitude of these statistics has no doubt grown since its original findings in 1999. The character Theodore Finch went undiagnosed with his implied bipolar disorder which many people disregarded as simply Finch’s personality. Finch’s had most, if not all of the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. There are seven major indications of bipolar disorder.
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
Distractibility
Increase in goal-directed activity
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences(Evans 2005)
Throughout the novel, Niven expresses these exact symptoms through Theodore Finch. Finch’s actions are not uncommon with many teenagers who do not willingly speak out about personal issues. People of all ages and nationalities are affected by a wide array of mental disorders that go …show more content…
One of the most important responsibilities of a parent is to teach. The subject of mental health is a rare topic to enter in conversations, especially if the parent has little knowledge or in not aware of possible indicating symptoms of a problem. According to the Medical Journal of Australia, “Lack of recognition of mental health problems among young people and their parents is a major “filter” to help-seeking.” ( Rickwood 2007) Many people, especially teenagers, are undiagnosed due to the opinions of their families. Niven subjects Finch to this situation when he explains his options to seek help when he was beginning to break
The novel All the Bright Places explored the consequences of undiagnosed mental disorders. The reasoning …show more content…
Surgeon General (1999), approximately 20 percent of youths suffer from a mental disorder that produces at least mild functional impairment, and 5 percent to 9 percent are identified as having serious emotional disturbances”. (Bulanda 2014)
The magnitude of these statistics has no doubt grown since its original findings in 1999. The character Theodore Finch went undiagnosed with his implied bipolar disorder which many people disregarded as simply Finch’s personality. Finch’s had most, if not all of the symptoms associated with bipolar disorder. There are seven major indications of bipolar disorder.
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep
More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
Distractibility
Increase in goal-directed activity
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences(Evans 2005)
Throughout the novel, Niven expresses these exact symptoms through Theodore Finch. Finch’s actions are not uncommon with many teenagers who do not willingly speak out about personal issues. People of all ages and nationalities are affected by a wide array of mental disorders that go …show more content…
One of the most important responsibilities of a parent is to teach. The subject of mental health is a rare topic to enter in conversations, especially if the parent has little knowledge or in not aware of possible indicating symptoms of a problem. According to the Medical Journal of Australia, “Lack of recognition of mental health problems among young people and their parents is a major “filter” to help-seeking.” ( Rickwood 2007) Many people, especially teenagers, are undiagnosed due to the opinions of their families. Niven subjects Finch to this situation when he explains his options to seek help when he was beginning to break