| Bipolar Disorder and Society: | | | | That means as a patient, you are more part of |
| | | | family than an outcast. |
| The stigma often associated with manic | | | | |
| depression and other mental disorders is very | | | | Most patients with bipolar disorder or some |
| real. Many people with bipolar disorder or | | | | other form of depression are in fact, more |
| other mental illnessesare afraid to share | | | | commonly the norm rather than the exception |
| their condition with other people for fear of | | | | to the rule. |
| ridicule or judgment. | | | | |
| | | | Understanding this can help promote greater |
| A World Federation for Mental Health study | | | | compassion and acceptance of manic depression |
| recently revealed that more than 71% of | | | | and bipolar disorder. |
| patients with bipolar disorder felt they | | | | |
| could not reveal their illness to others | | | | Steps for Overcoming Fear of Bipolar |
| without being judged. | | | | Disorder: |
| | | | |
| The stigma is so real in fact many will avoid | | | | If you or a loved one suffers from bipolar |
| telling friends or family of their mental | | | | disorder or any other mental illness, there |
| condition. Many people with bipolar disorder | | | | is hope. There are several strategies you |
| face stigma and discomfort from well-meaning | | | | can adopt to help promote your health and |
| friends and family members that don't really | | | | well being. |
| understand bipolar disorder. | | | | |
| | | | There are even more steps you can take to |
| Many patients are more than happy to share | | | | help you feel comfortable and accepted by |
| their "up" phases to the outside world but | | | | society at large. |
| tend to keep their depression to themselves. | | | | |
| | | | Here are some small steps patients and family |
| While people may enjoy being around an upbeat | | | | members can take to help overcome the stigma |
| hypomanic personality, they may find a | | | | associated with mental illness. |
| depressive bipolar less companionable. | | | | |
| | | | - Always accept your condition for what it |
| This makes common interactions and social | | | | is. |
| events uncomfortable at best, and undesirable | | | | |
| at worst for many bipolar patients. | | | | - Never attempt to hide your condition for |
| | | | fear that others will be un-accepting or |
| It is common for patients with bipolar | | | | misunderstand you. |
| disorder to feel misunderstood. | | | | |
| Unfortunately even many health care providers | | | | - Educate friends and family. Direct them to |
| carry with them a biased attitude toward | | | | a number of sites that help explain bipolar |
| bipolar patients. Many have a difficult time | | | | disorder and other mental illnesses. Great |
| focusing on the real reason a person is in | | | | reference sites include the National Alliance |
| their office. Instead they focus on the | | | | on Mental Illness. |
| mental health issue. | | | | |
| | | | - Confidently explain that one if five people |
| Some patients feel cut off by their doctors | | | | suffers from some form of mental illness or |
| or disregarded before they have an | | | | another. |
| opportunity to get at the core of their | | | | |
| problem. Manic patients may leave their | | | | - Remember that you are more an insider than |
| doctor's office without their dignity and | | | | you realize. |
| respect. | | | | |
| | | | - One out of every five of your friends, |
| Respect and Dignity For Mental Health | | | | acquaintances or associates likely suffers |
| Patients: | | | | from some form of mental illness. -Use |
| | | | support groups to help bolster your self |
| What is important for patients and the public | | | | confidence and promote your inner peace and |
| at large to realize is that bipolar patients | | | | well being. |
| are people too, people that deserve | | | | |
| compassion, kindness and understanding. | | | | - Remember to always hold your head high with |
| | | | dignity and respect. Never accept less than |
| Far too often even well-meaning doctors fall | | | | the utmost respect when consulting with |
| into the trap of generalizing the public's | | | | friends, family or your doctor. |
| health or mental condition. | | | | |
| | | | A good friend is often a key support figure |
| What is true is that all manic depressive | | | | for patients suffering from bipolar disorder. |
| patients are different. Not all patients are | | | | |
| the same and what works for one may not | | | | There are various online and offline support |
| necessarily work for another. | | | | groups for patients with bipolar disorder and |
| | | | manic depression. Be sure you check some out |
| What the public should also realize is that | | | | to find the support you need when treating |
| according to the National Institutes of | | | | this complex and emotional disease. |
| Mental Health, roughly one in five people | | | | |
| suffers from some form of mental illness or | | | | Remember, there is hope. Bipolar patients |
| another. | | | | are more a member of a large family than |
| | | | anything else. |