Ok, forget for a minute that this story is in the Mail, but apparently a
report in the official journal of the Royal College of Psychiatrists is
suggesting that there has been an increase in people complaining of
bipolar disorder following revelations by celebrities that they are
suffering from the condition.
The campaigners argue that getting celebrities talking about mental health is a good way to begin to tackle stigma. Isn't it better that more people are prepared to speak to their doctors about mental health problems?
The Mail article suggests that all these people who have been influenced by celebrities into thinking they have bipolar disorder are at risk of taking medication, which has side effects, when they don't really need them. But won't those who don't have the condition simply be told so by their GP, with no harm done?
Of course, the article also mentions a more serious issue - that the definition of bipolar disorder could be widened in the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which many UK psychiatrists use when diagnosing mental illness. Of course people may be influenced by celebrities to think all kind of things, but surely it's up to medical professionals to diagnose them correctly?
The Mail article suggests that all these people who have been influenced by celebrities into thinking they have bipolar disorder are at risk of taking medication, which has side effects, when they don't really need them. But won't those who don't have the condition simply be told so by their GP, with no harm done?
Of course, the article also mentions a more serious issue - that the definition of bipolar disorder could be widened in the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, which many UK psychiatrists use when diagnosing mental illness. Of course people may be influenced by celebrities to think all kind of things, but surely it's up to medical professionals to diagnose them correctly?
Prior to taking medication, a service user will require an assessment. Although the service user may feel that they have bipolar, surely psychatric intervention would be required, i.e. a diagnosis.
Therefore fearing that medication for such illnesses taken unecessarily is surely jumping the gun?
I'm sure that, as with many mental illnesses, there are degrees of bi-polar disorder with not everyone being at the most severe or acute end of the spectrum. I regularly experience sudden bouts of severe depression, for no discernable reason, usually starting in the summer and lasting until January, followed by periods of great energy/enthusiasm for life with 'great ideas', shopping (buying a great number of similar things), organising holidays, outings/parties for myself and others, who get swept along, whether they like it or not! Although I would not particularly wish to be diagnosed as being bi-polar I certainly believe I am on the wider spectrum.
i thought at one time i was Bipolar because of very treal symptoms. finally after many years i had a much more fitting label- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). some of the symptoms of BPD mimic Bipolar but there are also other symptoms which didn't fit Bipolar. at first i was mortified about being labelled BPD, but in my heart i knew it fit me much more accurately than Bipolar. interestingly, since then, i have 2 new friends who happen to be Bipolar, and i realise now the difference between their diagnosis and mine. once i was diagnosed BPD i was able to get the help i really needed, which was mostly therapy and although i do take mood-stabilisers i do not take anti=psychotics anymore.