Time to ramble about my absolute fav musical prt 1 :Next to Normal (my baby 🥺)
In regards to the beginning of Diana's bipolar disorder: so doctor Madden at their first appt points out that she was diagnosed 16 years prior, this is important as it was a decent gap after Gabe's passing. Now their is a probability that the 'cause' was grief from Gabe's passing prolonged as severe depression led to her diagnosis but often they need evidence of a manic episode as well but when they are discussing it at the end of catch me I'm falling Diana states her first psychiatrist started/suggested meds after 6 months (so I'm not sure whether their may have been a manic episode before or during this time) my theory is that the meds to treat her could have possibly induced a manic episode as they can on people who have a predisposition to mood disorders (depression) though then we go back to Diana stating her mother and herself being high-spirited. This means she did have a predisposition to mood disorders (family hx).
Theoretical Timeline: Diana's mum also being described as high energy = a predisposition -> Gabe passes -> depressive episode for 6 months -> starts meds for depression/bipolar -> new meds accidentally induces a manic episode -> diagnosis of bipolar
Also question do we know if Diana has type 1 or 2 bipolar disorder I have assumed type 2 as it's key characteristics match how she has been portrayed, especially in the West end pro-shot
Hopefully this kind of makes sense. (This is just my theory/head cannon feel free to add anything)
