Journal, Diary, & Blogging / The Politics of the Bipolar Experience--Part I
I belong to a group that suffers from an incurable disease. Indeed, we are not much talked about—we aren’t “sexy” enough. Talk to us individually about our stories and you will hear experiences that are as lurid as you can possibly wish for, but we still don’t draw enough headlines to create a big enough public awareness that we deserve. Because we’re out there and we’re enough of a public health hazard as any schizophrenic, socio- or psychopath. But we’re more dangerous than you realize.
How do I know about this? Please allow me to introduce myself, the Bipolar II, cousin to the Bipolar I. A woman with as chronic sleep disorder and emotional ups and downs who has sabotaged herself out of jobs, friends, and relationships. (I hate my family, so I don’t include them here—except for maybe later)
Mental illness is something that families, government, and even doctors would like to sweep under the rug. I read a couple of days ago where psychiatrists are often forgoing “talk” therapy and prescribing pills instead. They favor the “assembly-line” approach to treating mental disorders: hand out the drugs and hang the patients. Who wants to listen to all those problems anyway? Here’s your prescription, bring in the next sucker.
At the cost of the patient, of course.
Insurance companies love this approach. Mental illness (or disorder if you prefer) has been suffering at the hands of insurance companies for at least 20 years now. Insurance companies have been reluctant to provide mental health coverage, provided limited coverage at best, and now many plans offer no coverage. The biggest villains are the individually purchased plans. Read the fine print: no mental health or mental health related benefits will be provided. Not that it could be afforded after the $1,000 deductible that most of them require.
Is this deliberate, of course it is. But at what cost?
The most effective treatment for Bipolar Disorder is medication and talk therapy. This applies to treating depression, too. If you are lucky and get diagnosed at a young enough age, start on a regimen of medication, (medicating children for this is still very controversial and no one is sure what the best protocol to follow for the benefit of the child), and start therapy to help you learn coping mechanisms and to understand the importance of taking your medication you stand a good chance of getting your disorder under control more quickly.
Most of us aren’t that lucky. We battle for years trying to find out what is wrong, knowing something is wrong, but not having the words for it. Bipolar disorders, if left untreated, worsen with age, and worse, only about one-third of those who suffer (and believe me, we suffer) from any Bipolar Disorder are actually helped by our medication and talk therapy, if available.
I intend to blog more on this and let you in on what it has been like for me. For now, let this be an introduction to something that maybe you didn’t know much about.
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I really like the topic you are writing about because I just got diagnosed as having bipolar. Your wring style was great to, it had me wanting to read more.
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From experience I believe having an out for what ails you is the best treatment. Bottling up feelings causes more stress. I am a outside viewer of the Bipolar disorder. I have two in-laws and a friend who go through the ups and downs. I just wish there was more unconditional support out there in the world. Thank you
Hello Marty Kate,
Well aware of your disorder, I have true empathy for you. I think this blogging idea is wonderful and I think it will actually be quite helpful for you. Drugs are drugs, they only do so much, then there are the side effects. You, my dear woman have your hands full with just your family, let alone your disorder. Again, I think this is a great enlightening step, for most have no idea of your burdens. Please continue this on and on. Please take good care. me…
I have experience in an acute mental healthcare setting. The problem with bipolar medications is that the patient decides they are better and don’t need the drug, quit taking them, and end up in an acute phase of the illness.
I see your desperation and disgust in your writing. I do believe that the illness of being bipolar is actually very much in the public eye. It seems to be the new “scapegoat diagnosis” for people. This also causes that disease to be taken as less credible for the ones that actually do suffer from it. Getting the correct counselor that understands your pov is crucial. The correct med is crucial to your ability to function. Simply medicating without teaching the correct coping skills, is useless. I’m sorry if you have been treated as less than a person. Your pain here is evident. You do a good job of letting the reader know how you feel. I would love to read more from you.
Is this deliberate, of course it is. But at what cost?
- Is this deliberate? Of course it is, but at what cost?
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