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August 06, 2020

Rose Hill Center: Awareness of bipolar disorder improves lives

Mental illness afflicts far more of the population than statistics reveal. In fact, all too often neither an individual nor their family or friends recognize the signs or symptoms of mental

Mental illness afflicts far more of the population than statistics reveal. In fact, all too often neither an individual nor their family or friends recognize the signs or symptoms of mental illness. This means many people don’t get diagnosed or receive treatment.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly 19 percent of US adults — more than 62 million people — suffer from mental illness. Approximately 7 million American adults have bipolar disorder, a neurological brain disorder. There are actually numerous types of bipolar and related disorders with a wide variety of symptoms.

The World Health Organization lists bipolar disorder as the sixth leading cause of disability in the world. It is most prevalent during teenage and early adult years, though young children and adults also are afflicted with the condition. While the general public may associate bipolar disorder with wild mood swings, the illness can actually manifest in a variety of ways.

The complex nature of bipolar disorder may make it hard for families and individuals to pinpoint the problem. Symptoms can make a person appear irritable or they may be excessively cheerful. Changes in energy levels can mimic physical ailments, and some people even experience changes in vision or smell. A person may be at risk of poor judgment, impulsivity, and risky behavior. Symptoms and behaviors can have a long lasting and negative impact on one’s life and hinder normal functioning.

Sadly, due to the wide variety of symptoms associated with bipolar disorders, many individuals go undiagnosed for years, their untreated symptoms worsening over time. Those suffering from bipolar disorders who do not receive treatment may have difficulty with interpersonal or occupational relationships. In fact, some bipolar diagnoses are associated with higher levels of substance use disorder and suicide.

Knowledge is power when facing mental illness—recognizing the signs and symptoms are critical to get on the path to treatment. Early detection and diagnosis increase the chances of controlling the illness and offers hope for those living with bipolar disorder. This highlights the need to seek treatment, and the difference professional mental health care can make in one’s life.

A comprehensive treatment plan for bipolar disorder includes coping skills to manage symptoms and prevent complications; lifestyle management such as avoiding drugs and alcohol to minimize symptoms in addition to maintaining a regular sleep schedule; medication therapy management overseen by a doctor; and psychotherapy can be helpful.

Saying out loud the words “bipolar disorder” is crucial to remove the stigma behind it. I am grateful to the public figures who have bravely opened up about their personal battles with bipolar disorder: Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Jane Pauley, Catherine Zeta-Jones, to name a few. And, thanks to the writers who have incorporated the symptoms and treatment of individuals with bipolar with honesty and compassion, such as Claire Danes’ character in “Homeland,” Bradley Cooper’s character in “Silver Linings Playbook,” and Andre Lyon’s character in “Empire.”

Because stigma is a deterrent to treatment, the sooner we erase the stigma of mental illness, the better we all will be. With treatment, individuals can live full and successful lives. Support groups, medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy and psychotherapy are all tools used to help combat this illness. Hope is out there. Help is available.

Rochelle Rothwell is president and CEO of Rose Hill Center, a Holly, Mich.-based residential psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation facility offering a comprehensive range of services for adults with serious mental illness. Visit rosehillcenter.org.

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