The stigma against Bipolar Disorder exists mostly on a subconscious level between the patient and the person who lacks understanding about the nature of the condition. The stigma around bipolar not only exists to those who have not been diagnosed and whose irrational behavior can be explained by it, but to those who are diagnosed and believe that their illness is not a medical condition, but rather a personality flaw, easily curable by "thinking it away". It is with acts of ignorance and lack of will to understand that this community is affected. From being denied amenities like life insurance, individuals being encouraged to apply for disability without extensive medication treatment, and on the most personal level, friends and family turning their back on the individual, we are still somehow focusing on complaining on the negative side effects of medication rather than stressing that living with mania and depression, is no life at all.
When you are manic, you are in the passenger seat of your own body and mind. It is as if you suddenly put on a blind fold and your whole world just became a game of hitting the piñata. Except, the blind fold does not come off after striking. I have been cursed as well as blessed, with Bipolar Disorder Type One since I was seventeen. Cursed, because most of the experience was terrifying. Blessed, because it led me to the path of authenticity I am on now. As a young adult, I was very easily swayed and influenced by my peers, who believed medications for my disorder were unnecessary. The community I volunteered for sold a book about it in their bookstore. Being on the opposite side, I now see the damage I caused to myself and interpersonal relationships by refusing treatment.
I have also seen the effects of untreated bipolar disorder. It ended in suicide. New evidence suggest bipolar is neurodegenerative, meaning if left untreated, it worsens over time. Bipolar is the disordered chemical function in the brain of neurotransmitters. It has been proven to be biological and genetic. Yet, when I want to apply for life insurance to improve my quality of life in the future, I am forced to label it as a mental disorder. And I get denied. My medications are labeled "anti-psychotic", which is the same as the slur people would use to describe me when they could not comprehend my manic state. In order to make the bipolar community feel more supported, we should start with changing our language and do the work of shedding our biases.
Millions are medicated for this disorder and have adapted their lifestyle to become healthy. It is possible to be stable. When you ask those who feel stable the difference is that they will stress compliance with their medication, extensive therapy, working on their mood and reactions daily, and having a strong understanding support system. Yet somehow life expectancy is less for people with bipolar, doesn't that sound like a chronic condition? Life expectancy is rising for the general population, yet people with severe mental illnesses are not catching up with it. It is our responsibility, as a collective, as people, to know that our actions, words, and how we treat other people matters. Let us inform people about mental disorders, how common they are, and that the people who develop them are loved. Let us mind the gap in mortality before we come together to close it.
written by lpajor
@slavstrong // please do not remove credit
