50 Years BiPolar 1 Never Felt Better

 Illness Stigma Family Friends Careers, Life Lessons
In my Wainwrights Shoes Memoir By Chris Wainwright,

 

8. Healthy Choices 

The medication I take for Bipolar 1 works well and completely eliminates the extreme depressive moods and mania. In my opinion the most harmful enemy of the illness is its stigma therefore I believe that reducing or preventing it will be a huge move forward for everyone affected. In my case dad wanted my bipolar hushed up for that reason but all along I suspected that secrecy was the wrong approach for several reasons:- 1) it caused me a lot of stress 2) it was nigh on impossible for me to keep hidden and 3) it meant I was giving in to the pressure of social stigma.On average a total of over ninety people will be involved by each individual illness. That comprises family members, friends, relations, acquaintances and work colleagues all being concerned in every case of bipolar.

 

Some patients fare better in recovering from bipolar than others depending on their unique differences in health. Other factors are relevant of course such as income, education, knowledge, guidance, support and so on. I think that the impact of bipolar 1 on a person is considerably understated. Depression can be so profound that it can finish people for good if not properly treated by professionals with experience or able to find people who have. The relatively short period of mania  of maybe 7-10 days can lead to the most embarrassing behaviour imaginable. Men in particular are vulnerable where even the most decent often lose restraint of their natural desire for sex then have to come to terms with their unconscious promiscuous behaviour. \

 

Untreated bipolar 1 depressions and manic episodes are so serious that sufferers will often be unable to function properly for lengthy periods. It’s surprising however that once recovered they're back to normal as if there was an on/off switch. Don't forget that all illnesses affect patients differently. I was told mine was about average. My medication has been the same for years. I believe my personality and temperament is much the same as when growing up before bipolar started. It's a great shame that so many people know so little about the illness. Once they are better informed they won't need to worry. Why be frightened needlessly?

 

Once treated with suitable medication (and used as prescribed by a psychiatrist) people can live normally and function to the highest of levels. To be at your best with bipolar 1 do what the experts say. Alcohol and recreational drugs are off the menu - I’m pleased to say I’ve been 99.9% booze free for many years and don't ever miss it. If you’re dependent or addicted to anything else which is likely to interfere with your health there will be able to find a way to stop it. It would have done me a lot of good had the internet available in my younger years.

 

I can't say this enough but negative beliefs about bipolar continue to cause widespread prejudice. Stigma will turn bipolar 1 into a lifetime problem but there’s absolutely no need. Its effect can be almost impossible to overcome. I don’t believe doctors and psychiatrists fully understand how true that is. It means that people with bipolar 1 and 2 are wide open to abuse by anyone so minded. There will always be situations where someone wants to undermine say, a colleague who happens to have bipolar. They might be motivated by jealousy! They could use stigma like a weapon. It happened to me and I can prove it! It's difficult to do much about it. Many times I’ve seen peoples attitudes towards me change once they knew I had bipolar. Hiding my illness made a huge difference but not once it’s disclosed! The answer is to stop stigma as best we can!

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