My Guilty Pleasure

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I watch Law and Order. Heck, I have to admit I love the show. Watching them bust the loony criminal that is yelling at the voices in his head, the girl who went off her meds and killed three kids on a manic spree?  I feel more than a little bit guilty about this because I also suffer from Mental Illness. There is a disparity there. The show should make me angry, really angry. However, week after week I tune in. Perhaps it’s because I feel like my illness is under control… maybe because the producers make it look so outrageous it seems almost ludicrous. Regardless, as a consumer I am allowing them to propagate these lies and misconceptions regarding Mental Illness!

So what, you say? What can one person do? Good question… what should we be saying and what should we be doing?  Despite all the policies and statistics and funding issues, I am going to suggest a new, simpler solution. TALK!

Mental Illness is precisely that, an illness. It is not contracted. Its development is not the fault of anyone who is its victim. It is not criminal. It can’t be prevented.

First talking point: mental illness needs to be brought forth from the shadows. Talk about what it is. Educate yourself and in turn educate others. The information is a Google click away. Inform yourself and inform others.

Second: it is critical to let people know that seeking help is not just okay, but a huge step in the right direction. We need to help people find out what help is available and where to go to get it. We need to let people know that getting help for a mental illness does not mean that you are a failure or will be judged by others. We need to take steps to erase the stigma so that people who need help are not afraid to get help.

Additionally, we need to let people know that the Mentally Ill are no more likely to commit a violent act despite what these sensationalistic TV shows portray.  Mental Illness is not obvious, you generally can’t see it. It’s not the homeless person drunkenly sleeping on a park bench. It is people you know.  An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Mental disorders are currently the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada.

What is this stigma and lack of discussion costing us? Well, we could bring up the fact that many end up in prison at a cost of $50,000 to $100,000 a year! However, I believe the greatest cost – one that cannot be quantified – is an ever increasing amount of LIVES. Between the years of 1999 and 2010 suicide was up nearly 28%. It is now the 4th leading cause of death in America!

So what do we do about it? Again I say TALK. Suicide is preventable. In 2010, over 38,000 people took their own lives. We can prevent these deaths by merely talking.

If you feel that you may have mental issues, please seek help. Talk to a loved one about it. Leave a comment for me if you like! Reach out for the help that is readily available. If you believe that a friend or loved one is struggling. Please reach out to them.  Let them know that it takes a strong person to get help. Support them through the learning process and assist them in taking action.

I recommend contacting the National Alliance on Mental Illness or the Depression and Bipolar and Support Alliance. These organizations can provide referrals, support groups and information regarding any symptom you may be experiencing.  They are there to help…

Please, remember, start TALKING today!

No, dude, your girlfriend is not Bipolar!

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Fight the Stigma of Mental Illness and Bipolar Disorder!

To support the troops during World War II, women “fought the stigma!” Let’s fight against the stigma of Mental Illness!

“Man that biznitch is crazy… she must be bipolar!” (Usually followed by obnoxious laughter.)

I see that in Tweets and on Facebook all the time! The BEST was when a date actually said to me, “Aren’t all women Bipolar?” This was in response to my honest admission of my illness. It made me realize two things: 1) Twenty six is way too young for me and 2) I HATE THE STEREOTYPES AND THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS! Let’s spread this news: Bipolar Disorder is a debilitating disease that there is no cure for! It is not a cute way to say “moody!”

Let me give some very quick facts… Currently 5.7 MILLION people suffer from Bipolar Disorder (5% of the population).  Keep in mind that it is VERY difficult to diagnose and that many people will NEVER receive a correct diagnosis. Of those diagnosed, 20% will ultimately commit suicide. That’s1.14 MILLION people that WILL COMMIT SUICIDE!

Tell me that people would stop making it out to be a joke if they knew that! Would they? If that doesn’t resonate in their pathetic little brains, what will?

Let’s try this… immediately ask them if they also joke about minorities… be specific (it’ll sting more – muhahahahaha). Don’t let them down easy. Ask them if they also like to make fun of perhaps blacks or Hispanics. Keep pressing… do they like gay jokes? (I say we keep pressing until they stammer.) Then say, “If the mentally ill are a minority you like to laugh at, why not others?”

I honestly think they might think twice next time they call someone “Bipolar!” Yes, you might have been so hardcore they think, “Wow this person is nowhere near as Bipolar as that one that went off on me about it that time was!” Ha-ha-ha!

To that thought I say, “Whoo Hooo!” If my outspoken tirade changes one mind… if one more person thinks twice… if one person stops stigmatizing…I HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD FOR THE BETTER!!!

FIGHT THE STIGMA!!!

Space Mountain and Bipolar Disorder

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Bipolar Disorder is like a roller coaster in the dark

You wait for hours in line… feeling your heart racing with anticipation. It’s your turn so you strap in tight. Holding your breath, you wait for takeoff. 3-2-1… here we gooooo! You whip to the side, through a tube and into the pitch black darkness. Your head starts to spin. Your knuckles turn white as you hold on for your dear life! Rapidly you jerk up and down… left and right. You have no clue where you are… have been… or are going.

Yes, you have just ridden Space Mountain with me. You have also read what I believe is an excellent description of living with Bipolar Disorder.  You wait for that for that first doctor’s appointment with terrible anticipation. What will he say about the things that have been going on in your head? Then, 3-2-1… “I am diagnosing you with Bipolar Disorder.” Your head is spinning. You mentally begin to grasp for anything stable.  Here we goooo!

What you may forget is that you were already riding the rollercoaster! You had been living with Bipolar Disorder all your life! The ups and downs and left and rights are part of your life. The very, very positive thing is that now you are aware of the problem. That is great! We all know that the first step in solving a problem is realizing that you have one.

A Bipolar Disorder diagnosis is not the end, it is the beginning. Start here and now… make a change. Living a full life with Bipolar Disorder is totally doable! Just remember, if anyone asks you, “What is Bipolar Disorder like?” Respond, “Ohhh… it’s just like Space Mountain!”

More to Come!