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