Bipolar Disorders In Australia

As Americans it becomes natural to undermine those with a mental illness. As a fact, many adults and children deal with mental illness each and everyday. There are many stories that have been told to Americans about depression, anxiety, along with bipolar disorders, with the outcome usually being a negative consequence. For the 1 in every 5 citizens that deal with a mental illness each year. Americans have neglected the fact that many adults and children deal with mental issue(s), the citizens that refrain from getting help; their well being can suffer detrimental effects, there is not a lot of awareness either taught in school, or in public perspectives, American’s stigma has perfected their

Bipolar disorder was previously known as manic depression, many people believe bipolar disorder is a controversial diagnosis, some labelling it madness rather than a medical condition. Bipolar disorder is a major mood disorder and has significant impact on the person, families and loved ones. Furthermore, persons living with this mental illness often experience stigma, alienation and discrimination, and once labelled by their illness they are seen as part of a stereotyped group. Erving Goffman once said “Stigma is a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart”.

Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness in which a person's mood alternates between extreme mania and depression. Bipolar disorder is also called manic-depressive illness. In a related disorder called cyclothymic disorder (sometimes called Bipolar III), a person's mood alternates between mild depression and mild mania. Some people with cyclothymic disorder later develop full-blown bipolar disorder. Rates of bipolar disorder are similar throughout the world. At least fifteen percent of people with bipolar disorder commit suicide. Bipolar disorder is much less common than depression. Many people with bipolar disorder function normally between episodes. Medications known as "mood stabilizers" are usually prescribed by

In the United States alone, approximately five point seven million people have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, being considered “the sixth leading cause of disability among middle age group and the ninth leading cause of years lost to death or disability worldwide” (Sawan & Hamilton, 2015). Although equal in both males and females, studies have shown that males are prone to developing bipolar disease earlier in life. On the other hand, females are three times more likely to experience rapid cycling and have more depressive and mixed episodes when compared with males. Average age for onset of bipolar disorder is twenty five years, however, studies have shown that illness can develop at any age, including early childhood (Sawan & Hamilton, 2015). Increased risk factors for both men and women diagnosed with bipolar disorder may include ischemic heart disease, diabetes and COPD, together with influenza and pneumonia. In accordance with Swan & Hamilton (2015), bipolar disorder risk factors are probably caused by genetic factors, unhealthy behaviors and pathophysiologic changes occurring with bipolar patients; also medications used to treat this disorder (Sawan & Hamilton, 2015).

Thomas Wheaton construes in the article “Bipolar Disorder: The Agony and Ecstasy” facts on the condition as well as his own personal experience. Bipolar disorder as of now is divided into two different types that varies with treatment. The first is considered manageable, however the second needs a large amount of attention. Medication being one of the main treatments recommended for this type causes numerous side effects including, organ deterioration, heat susceptibility and vertigo.

There is a dark stigma surrounding mental illness in general, and bipolar disorder is no exception. According to the Mental Health Commission of Western Australia, a stigma is “a mark of disgrace that sets someone apart.” Bipolar disorder is incredibly misunderstood by society at large, which leads to this stigma, prejudice, and discrimination. In everyday conversation, the word “bipolar” is frequently used to describe how someone is feeling at that moment. If a person is sad one moment and

When people are asked what bipolar I disorder (BD) is, they often describe someone as being psychotic, having drastic mood changes, being depressed then super happy, and the list is endless. Often, individuals who suffer with BD are stigmatized and discriminated. The following piece is part of a poem called “You and Me” written by Debbie Sesula, “...If you get angry/ You’re considered upset/ If I get angry/ I’m considered dangerous. / If you over-react to something/ You’re sensitive/ If I over-react to something/ I’m out of control…” BD is not well understood by society and it is unfortunate that individuals who have this disorder often isolate themselves and feel ashamed.

Effects of bipolar can be far-reaching, both into the lives of patients and those around them.

When people are asked what bipolar I disorder (BD) is, responses often include, “Sometimes they’re really normal and then they get super mad,” “drastic mood swings,” “they’re psychotic,” “one can be very happy and excited but can also experience depression,” and the list is endless. Often, individuals who suffer with BD are stigmatized and discriminated. The following piece is part of a poem called “You and Me” written by Debbie Sesula, “...If you get angry /You’re considered upset/ If I get angry/ I’m considered dangerous. /If you over-react to something/ You’re sensitive/ If I over-react to something/ I’m out of control…” BD is not well understood by society and it is unfortunate that individuals who have this disorder often isolate themselves and feel ashamed.

People with bipolar disorder often come across the question of “to tell or not to tell” because “the stigma attached to mental illnesses presents a serious barrier not only to diagnosis and treatment but also to acceptance in the community” (A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada, 2012). About 42% of Canadians were unsure whether they would socialize with a friend who has a mental illness and about 27% said they would be fearful of being around someone

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is a mood disorder that requires careful medication management during a patient’s lifetime (Halter, 2014, p. 227). Bipolar disorder is described as recurrent episodes of mood changes ranging from mania to irritability to depression (Halter, 2014, p. 228). Periods of normal functioning are also recurrent with mood shifts. Often times bipolar disorder goes undiagnosed for many years which is linked to undesirable outcomes such as suicide (Halter, 2014, p. 227). On the other hand, many patients with a definite diagnosis report denying their illness because of the stigma that is associated with mood disorders (Thome, Dargel, Migliavacca, Potter, Jappur, Kapczinski, & Cereser, 2011) . Perceived stigma is an attribute that devalues or discriminates against a human being because of their mental illness (Pedneault, 2014). Stigmatizing attitudes can negatively impact on the patients psychosocial functioning, behavior tendencies and cognitive function.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness, but the term bipolar is not colloquially used in a way that reflects that. The colloquial usage of “bipolar” equates being bipolar to the changing of the weather, or the wishy-washy opinions of people who can’t decide where they’d like to eat today. The trivial use of this term undermines the severity of bipolar disorder and creates an environment where people affected by bipolar disorder are presented with two options: having their disease undermined by those around them, or being alienated by those around them because people fear what they do not understand.

The use of antidepressant in bipolar disorder is controversial. It is inadequate mood stabilization and use of antidepressants may increase the risk of rapid cycling, may contribute to the development of mania and may increase cycle frequency. Women may be increased risk of rapid cycling compared with men. Therefore, it has suggested that, for women in particular, it is important to maximize the use of mood stabilizers and use antidepressants with caution. (Women’s Health, Nov 2005

When it comes to an individual denying a mental illness, Bipolar Disorder (BD) is the most common mental illness that most individual will have and believe they are perfectly normal. Bipolar Disorder is a complex illness that has different type of symptoms. These symptoms can be dramatic and unpredictable mood swings. For that reason, an individual does not want to associate him or herself with a negative characteristic of a chronic health condition that distinguishes his/her personal identity. Most individual, with BD, have high sense of social-stigma because of their low self-esteem and social anxiety from a negative aspect of life that will cause a destructive behavior and attitude. However, social stigma can influence an individual with