Celebrities and Bipolar Disorder

In my own case the doctors did not put a label on it until 1985.  That was 33 years after my first problem of attempted suicide.  It took 3 hospital stays from mania and innumberable times of depression for the doctors to put a label on it and recommending continuious medication.

If doctors can't figure it after being throughly educated on the subject, how does the "man on the street'' hope to figure it out. It's not that simple.  And after your Dr figures it out, it may be months or years to find the right medication or medications.  But hang in there! Rome wasn't built in a day.

 

Ankshus 

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Mental Illness vs. Wacko Woman

 

It's a tough call...

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I think that celebrities can help other people by speaking about their mental illness

http://www.officialhealthtips.com/CELEBRITIES/CELEBRITIES-AND-BIPOLAR-DISORDER-NOT-ONLY-BRITNEY-SPEARS-SUFFERS

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Public speculation about a diagnosis can be as hurtful to the individual and his/her wellness as any other negative media coverage. It may actually keep him/her from a diagnosis and treatment.

OH my goodness you are singing my song!! I so avoided getting and seeking help and actually got MAD, like a typical bp outburst where the doc had to calm me when she told me I should see a psychdoc for she thought i had bp.  I was so angry and so frustrated for i thought, hmm just because i hear things, see things, have anxiety issues and on and on....they want to LOCK ME UP or something or call me CRAZY and i'm NOT i've got a MASTERS degree and someone with a MASTERS degree (at a 4.0 none the less) CAN"T be mentally ill....

So I digress....after about 3 years of my medical doctor and 2 other docs opinions (for i wasn't sticking with hers for i didn't believe that was the issue and didn't WANT to believe it but knew things weren't right upstairs if you know what i mean for too much was overcoming me and had gone untreated for so many years that it was intensifying i think) ANYWAY I am SOOOOOOOO glad that i went and sought help.

But BUT BUT living in a very small town and living in an area where everyone knows everything about everyone it seems....well, i was very uhm embarressed to even disclose this to anyone but my precious supportive husband. It literally took me years to tell my family, my daughters, my parents.......i was ashamed.....for the stigma of the illness was so unfavorable at that time, and so misunderstood, and every single show, movie, horror flick there was and massacres and acts of violence in society were all being linked to those who were "less than normal" or "bp or schizophrenic" and etc....

YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE NAIL WHEN YOU said that stigma keeps SOOO many from seeking help and I feel so badly for them because I know the difference medication can make. Been on BOTH sides of this issue and know that the path i'm on is the right one now.

I also have soooooo wanted to become an advocate to voice the things i know, the experiences i've had, the ability to function (at our own individual levels) with this illness and NOT be a threat to society.....that is the worst part of all....

literally told one friend....or thought they were a friend....and well, the look on their face was horrid....and shock and awe if you will....they literally said to me...."isn't that what hannibal or jeffery dahmer had?"   GEEZ>>>>>>soooo YES my friend, you as the expert KNOW it to be true that stigma withholds so many from salvation or relief per say...

Please keep up your work with the DBSA and if you could let me know how I too could get involved. I have a lot to offer in the terms of "how it feels" i write poetry, short stories, reviews of meds, etc.....and well utilize photography, drawings, and journaling to cope and explain the mind of those of us "touched with fire" ......so please keep up the posts and the good work.....

with great thanks to this recognition of stigma

ctrygirl

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I agree that the media shouldn't hype speculation and throw out diagnosis (what is the plural of that anyway...diagnosies?) at the same time it's only natural for people to figure out what is going on. Especially when there is an abrupt change in a persons behavior. It is unfortunate for celebrities because they are in the public eye and tabloid journalism is a major industry. At the same time I think it is important to not label someone a "wacko" without seriously considering mental illness. I was so thankful when I was treated with true concern and respect by people at my college when I was going through my first major manic episode. I personally like that the media does question the possibility of mental illness because it has sparked some interesting conversations between myself and others and given me opportunities to share my feelings about my illness and helped to tell others to be more compassionate and not throw around words like "Bipolar" because it is a serious problem that should be taken seriously. Whew. =)

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I don't disagree with your statement. I certainly wouldn't want to be a celeb with a brain disordef such as clinical depression or bi-polar. The media swimming around you like hungry sharks in a feeding frenzy. Getting caught must be devastating. Such as Delta Burke's case, and tormented Britteny Spears. No place to run and no place to hide. I'd rather be plain 'ole me with my clinical depression.
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But then you have speculation regarding criminals, like the Illinois shooter who killed those college students because "he wasn't taking his meds."  Speculation about talented people makes us all feel good, like, hey, President Lincoln had bipolar disorder...that is cool.  but i feel terrible when murderous people and criminals are labeled as "mentally unstable" and the diagnosis is unknown...in my mind, I wonder, "Manic? Mixed?"
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Spot on. I've done two shareposts here on Britney Spears, and in both I didn't even hint at bipolar or any other DSM "disorder." Between Britney's upbringing and exposure to fame and harrassment by thugs with cameras even Beaver Cleaver's mom would flip. I think it's totally irresponsible for these celebrity MDs to go on cable TV and speculate what her diagnosis must be.

 

By sheer coincidence, my current post just happens to be on historical figures with depression or bipolar. Here we have a clear distinction - drawing conclusions tends to be a no-brainer. With my own little gallery we're talking about a 50 percent suicide rate and 100 percent very clear red flags. Moreover, the written record is exceptionally strong - diary and journal entries, contemporary accounts, plus dispassionate analysis many many years later, away from the heat of media hysteria. For instance Lincoln wrote that he was the most miserable person on earth, his friends were so worried when he went to pieces they removed the knives from his house, etc (strong evidence of depression but not bipolar). In virtually all the historical figures we find strong evidence of mental illness in the families - suicides, institutionalizations, etc. Finally, we get acknowledged authories weighing in - people such as Kay Jamison.

 

This is in stark contrast to the drive-by speculation going on about today's celebs.

 

If Britney and others wish to publicly disclose the conversations between themselves and their clinicians, then fine - we'll have something to go on.

 

In the meantime, our own experience gives us some insight into what Britney and others are going through. Fortunately, we can respond with compassion and understanding.  

  

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In America we have the right to free speech, allowing the media to print what they feel will sell their wares. If they are wrong, they lose.

 

Sometimes we can even find a celebrity speculating about another celebrity. Caveat emptor.

 

"Author Steel knows Spears family mental illness pain"

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN1364276520080215?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

 

 

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