Songwriters write about their lives as their lyrics reflect their personal experiences. Often, one mechanism for dealing with a problem is to bring the problem into the open. The lead singer and songwriter of the alternative rock band Blue October, Justin Furstenfeld, explains in a suicide prevention video that he has "battled with bipolar disorder, psychiatric tendencies and anxiety issues for much of his life and admits to self-harming during adolescence and having recurring suicidal thoughts” (Freunde fürs Leben, 2010). Many songs he wrote are about his mental illness and the problems he faced because of it. In the song X Amount of, Furstenfeld wrote clearly this song about his mental illnesses is how Furstenfeld describes what he lives with bipolar disorder and how it has affected his relationships with those he cares about and how he deals with it. the lyrics are in stark contrast and reveal the emotional roller coaster that affects those suffering from bipolar disorder Bipolar disorder According to Butcher, Hooley and Mineka, bipolar I disorder is major depression associated with mania. Bipolar I disorder is distinguished from bipolar II disorder because the manic episodes and major depression last for a prolonged period of time; at least a week (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014, p. 239). Symptoms of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder include depression, anxiety, guilt, suicidal thoughts, and energetic bouts that include irritability, short temper, and erratic judgment (Butcher, Hooley, & Mineka, 2014, p. 240). Furstenfeld mentions in the song about being triggered into a relapse and becoming erratic......middle of paper......Mood disorders and suicide. In Abnormal Psychology (16th edition) (pp. 211-262). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.Freunde fürs Leben (2010, April 27). frnd.tv - Blue October, Part 1 (without subtitles) [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkNfbfWc_fs&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL97E39E500CB56A94Furstenfeld, J. S. (2005). X Amount of [Recorded by Blue October]. United States of America. Langer, A. (2013, August 17). A Musical Shift from Self-Pity to Gratitude - NYTimes.com. Retrieved February 15, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/us/a-musical-switch-from-self-pity-to-gratitude.html?_r=0Ramirez, C. ( 2011 , June 14). Blue October's Justin Furstenfeld talks about his mental breakdown. Retrieved February 14, 2014, from http://noisecreep.com/blue-october-justin-furstenfeld-talks-about-mental-breakdown/