16 Mar 2010
Bipolar wannabes
A recent article, interestingly re-published in the NZ Herald as “Bipolar Wannabes”, has shown that there has been a rise in self-diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
This article has caused much controversy over water-coolers around Like Minds, Like Mine offices, with many people wondering what this means in terms of stigma and discrimination.
Is the idea that having bipolar disorder is desirable, with stars, such a Britney Spears, plagued by rumours of the illness, a 'negative idea? Are we linking the disorder with celebrity, similar to the 'idiot savant' ideas of the past haunting those who experienced autism?
Or is it simply that celebrities, like Stephen Fry, have brought bipolar disorder into the limelight and made the diagnosis more tangible for people?
Self-diagnosis is in no way a new idea, I remember being warned as a first year psychology student that in reading the text book we would find many behaviours that we shared with the case studies we were reading about. But, while many feel that self-diagnosis is often a negative, isn’t it better that people have an understanding of an illness and notice if they are feeling and reacting in the same way?
In many ways we have taken control of our health care in this century, no doubt I am not the only one who Googles medical symptoms before making an appointment with my GP. Perhaps people being more informed about illnesses, such as bipolar disorder, will lead to earlier help-seeking and therefore, we hope, earlier recovery.
What do you think?
Jade Caulfield, Auckland Like Minds Health Promoter
Comments
Posted by Stevo 10:58 am, 17 Mar 2010 Reply
Well said Jade. If it's our collective job to create increased awareness around mental distress and to encourage help-seeking behaviours.......then this looks like something of a success to me. People are talking. That's a good thing.
I reckon the 'celebrity' thing is a bit of a red herring. For some people the lure of the spotlight justifies whatever shameless self-aggrandising will get them in it. If we all just turned our backs and ignored them, they might just go away.
Posted by Sarah 11:28 am, 17 Mar 2010 Reply
if the treatments weren't so dangerous it would probably be a good thing that many people can relate to [what are after all] emotional experiences that are common to us all - from a destig perspective great - but the psycotropic drugs cause many harms and complications so people may be placing themselves in harms way by seeking medical help.
Posted by Bryan 2:24 pm, 17 Mar 2010 Reply
Having been recently diagnosed with bipolar at the age of 47 after an episode of mania that cost me my marriage, my home, my job and a normal fatherly relationship with my son I can attest there is nothing sexy about bipolar. I detest that it is the sexy disease for celebs to have. No doubt when you are wealthy and can afford minders it is fine. When you are an average person and your life is radically disrupted it is not at all appealing.
Posted by Cerys 11:39 pm, 11 May 2010 Reply
The fact that people are talking about it - great!!! But like the last person said, having dragged myself thru many manic and depressive episodes by the skin of my teeth, I fail to see how anybody can think that it is "cool" or "desirable" to have this illness. Bipolar is not a faze or lifestyle choice, it is not a excuse for bad behaviour and random acts like these celebs are performing. It puts strain on relationships, finances, work etc etc. It is not something I would have chosen for me or my family.
Posted by Deena 11:28 am, 13 Sep 2010 Reply
There is nothing 'sexy' about bipolar disorder. I've lost my job, self confidence & many so called friends. Everybody is tired of me & I'm tired of myself. After nearly doubling in size & developing severe acne from medications, I'm a shell of my former self. My partner has had enough; he just doesn't understand why I can't 'get over it' & is just about ready to throw in the towel. I can't even begin to imagine how traumatised my daughter is from seeing her mother weeping in a pile on the floor for hours at a time or literally shaking from the effort of suppressing rage so incendiary it would set the house alight if released. I've been turned by banks & insurance companies so many times, I despair of ever having a 'normal' life. Bipolar disorder has made me a non person, a nothing that should not be seen or heard. Sexy? Hardly. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I want my life back.
Posted by Russell Tuffery 3:46 pm, 14 Sep 2010 Reply
Dear Deena
Please contact us at the Resource Centre, Mental Health Foundation, email info@mentalhealth.org.nz, or ph 09 300 7030, we can help
Posted by Celia 9:47 pm, 29 Nov 2010 Reply
Kia Ora all - Just hang in there - and find what works FOR YOU. At 50+, I am finally coming to the realisation that Bipolar does not say sweet all about me - I just live with it, and roll with it. Imagine having a "physical" illness, imagine having anything other than what you've got. There is a lot worse. (Will someone remind me I said this when I 'roll'??)
I've lost plenty, and I've gained some.
I am still alive - and that's a surprise!!
Believe that you have a lot to offer, regardless.