Bipolar disorder effects up to 3 million people in the US alone. bipolar disorder is a mental illness that falls under the category as a mood disorder. People who have bipolar disorder fall into cycles of depression and mania. Depression can cause symptoms of loss of interest in daily activities, suicidal ideation, self-harm, low energy and low motivation. While mania can cause high energy, irritability, reduce need for sleep, impulsiveness and an inflated self-esteem. Both episodes of mania and depression can last up to weeks or months on end. For obvious reason this can absolutely effect a person’s day to day life and functioning at work, home and interpersonal relationships around them. Some stigma of bipolar disorder include that a person doesn’t “look” bipolar as if mental illness has a look. As well as expecting an individual to just get over feeling depressed and to think more positive. A lot of the times with mental illness people have a hard time understanding an illness that they cannot see making it easily stigmatized. Breaking stigmas of mental illness is so important because if it was a more openly talked about subject I think more people would feel ok reaching out for help when they need it the most.
As I have mentioned in our previous assignments I was diagnosed with bipolar type II disorder summer of 2017. Bipolar disorder can be passed down through genetics. My grandfather on my father’s side we suspect had bipolar disorder and refused treatment of any kind. Unfortunately, he ended up committing suicide before I was even born. 50% of people with bipolar disorder try to commit suicide at least once. In my own experience it is truly difficult to admit to yourself that you have a mental illness because you feel like something is wrong with you and you take it so personally. Instead of viewing mental illness as a disease or a brain chemical imbalance it so easily can make a person feel like it is your own personality flaws. Since bipolar disorder has affected me directly I wanted to write a research based paper on the challenges, stigmas and some treatment options for bipolar disorder.
Stigma is something that a lot of people who have a disability face. Stigma directed at bipolar disorder can stop people from seeking proper treatment and make them feel like bipolar disorder is something that needs to be kept a secret or is something that we should be ashamed about. The medical model puts people in a box and stigma paints a picture of how a “typical” person with bipolar disorder, thinks, looks and talks. When in reality like most disabilities, everyone is different and individuals may experience bipolar disorder differently. There is a negative perception on bipolar disorder and because of this I denied that I had it. I felt like I did not fit into the box of what society believes bipolar looks like. Stigma makes people who have bipolar disorder fear treatment, fear what people with say about you and that is a huge problem in our community. Stigma prevents us from embracing our diagnosis and feeling empowered to share our stories with one another.
In today society we are stuck in a world that makes us feel like we cannot express any other emotion but happiness. Social media makes us feel like we cannot express when we are having other emotions but success and happiness. People don’t show their vulnerable side to others on social media. We build a representation that expresses that we are thriving in life, we are always happy, and we are never sad. Things like social media is causing our society to not feel open about talking about the tough stuff. Such as depression, suicidal thoughts or mental illness. From a social model aspect, it’s important for advocates to keep moving forward and fighting against stigma. Things like NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) raises awareness for mental illness and help people have a voice when stigmas take that away. NAMI’s mission is to advocate and fight against stigma and shame. NAMI states: “Stigma: It harms the 1 in 5 Americans affected by mental health conditions. It shames them into silence. It prevents them from seeking help. And in some cases, it takes lives. What virus are we talking about? It’s stigma. Stigma against people with mental health conditions. But there’s good news. Stigma is 100% curable. Compassion, empathy and understanding are the antidote.” As you can see organizations such as NAMI promote the social model and try to help reduce stigmas in our communities by recognizing that people with mental illnesses are people first and foremost.
People who have a mental health disorder and go and seek therapy help have patient rights. Three of those patient rights are confidentiality, rights to treatment and informed consent. People who have bipolar disorder have the right to tell who they want about their diagnosis. Laws such as HIPPA prevent medical professionals from having the right to tell anyone else about their patient’s diagnosis without the consent of the patient. People who have a diagnosis of bipolar do not have to disclose their diagnoses to an employer if they do not want to. Mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder is very misunderstood till this day. Many people who have bipolar disorder do not have access to the appropriate healthcare help. many general doctors do not know enough about this psychological disorder that they may miss diagnose a patient and provide antidepressants instead of mood stabilizers that can make symptoms of bipolar disorder even worse. This is why it’s important to raise awareness about bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses because it can provide the right information that can save someone’s life. While bipolar disorder is a lifelong disease it is manageable. Things such as medication, therapy, support groups and proper self-care can prevent many unwanted symptoms of bipolar disorder. Stereotypes is what discourages people to speak up when they truly need help. I have such a profound amount of respect for people who deal with mental health issues because it’s not easy and it’s so hard to explain to others what exactly you are experiencing. Hopefully in the future more people feel that they can step forward to discuss the hard topic of mental illness. Mental illness and accommodation for people who struggle with mental illness should be more readily available for people to use when needed. It’s important to support disabilities of all types and all spectrums. Although we still have a long way to go with overcoming stigma. We are lucky that mental illness is finally recognized as a disability. Mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder can be debilitating. It is an illness that needs to be managed just like any other. Bipolar disorder requires lifelong treatment of some sort. Having reasonable accommodations when needed for bipolar disorder can help a person be able to manage their disability while also still being able to go to work or school. It’s important that we keep fighting for equality and against stigmas and stereotypes. Nobody wants to feel like they don’t belong because of a diagnosis that is out of their control. Mental illness is not a personal flaw it is a result of a brain chemical in balance and is much as a disease as disability that can be seen. Overall, I will continue doing my part and try to spread awareness of mental illness because so many people suffer in silence when they shouldn’t have to. I am not just my diagnosis of bipolar disorder, I am a figure skater, I am a Fiancé, I am an animal lover and I am kind and empathetic to others. Above all I am a person just like everybody else.