Bipolar disorder is characterized as a mental illness in which a person exhibits episodes of mania followed by episodes of depression. Between those episodes, the person may also have a mixed version where mania and depression are exhibited at the same time. People with a more severe form of bipolar disorder may show signs of suicide during their depressive states and make impulsive decisions when they are in their manic state. Many people with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed with schizophrenia because their symptoms are seen as psychotic. Mental illnesses have a heavy stigma in our society. Whether you are talking about eating disorders, depression, or any other mental illness, the stigma in our society just makes it more difficult for the person suffering with the mental illness to live their life and eventually recover. People need to have a better understanding about mental illnesses in general. Mental illnesses are not something that the person can control. It is very difficult for the person to change their (sometimes abnormal) behavior, and requires treatment and psychotherapy. If people had a better understanding of mental illnesses, they would not judge mentally ill people the way they do. Sometimes all the person needs is a little bit of understanding and someone kind to talk to. The stigma in our society should be changed for the better of everyone in the community.
Bipolar Disorder – Why is there so much stigma about mental disorders?
