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