This episode was Claire Danes' submission to the Emmys. She would go on to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She also won the Golden Globe.
Co-writer Meredith Stiehm's sister is bipolar. She was able to bring her experiences with her into the depiction of Carrie having an episode here.
The 'Heritage Diner' where the Brody family eats (and the local man tells Nicholas that he'll vote for him) is actually J. J. Wasabi's in Mooresville at the corner of Moore Avenue and Main Street, just as shown on-screen.