I’ve heard nothing about this until today & that was only because I stumbled on the piece below. You can find the website it belongs to here.
Please can offer any views on this post. Even it’s just to say you where or where not aware of the awareness date? Thanks
………………………………………………………
The UK’s first national Bipolar Awareness Day takes place on the 27th June 2012
Bipolar is a mental health condition which causes people to swing back and forwards between periods of being very good and periods of being depressed and very irritable, These mood swings between the mania and the depression can be extremely quick and catch those around them unawares.
Bipolar disorders can affect both men and women, and often starts between the ages of 15 and 25. The exact cause of the disorder s unknown, but it does occur more often in people who have relatives suffering from Bipolar disorder.
The condition is also relatively common, with one person out of every hundred being diagnosed with it, and recent research suggests that as many as 5% of us are within the spectrum of being Bipolar. It takes on average 10.5% for a correct diagnosis to be made, and during this time period the patient may be misdiagnosed 3.5 times.
The highs and lows that are prevalent in Bipolar disorder can be so extreme that they have a severe impact on the everyday life of the sufferer.
Living with Bipolar Disorder offers the reader positive, real-life solutions and support from someone who is actively engaged with her own bipolar condition and whose mother also has mental health problems. Using a practical, candid tone, this guide offers firsthand advice on how to lead a fulfilling life despite having this challenging mental-health condition. The book addresses the many questions that arise following diagnosis whether of oneself, or a family member or friend. Among the topics considered are the basics of functioning, living and dealing with people on a day-to-day basis, how to negotiate treatment, handle family and friends, maintain a positive image, and earn a living.
Hodges recognises the disorder has to be managed but she can see the positive aspect of the illness, which include: increased work capacity when in hyper-mania, the ability to tap into your creative resources and the confidence to make things happen. She also wanted to give comfort and hope to families of bipolar loved ones.
Bipolar disorder used to be called ‘manic depression’. As the older name suggests, someone with bipolar disorder will have severe mood swings. These usually last several weeks or months and are far beyond what most of us experience. They include:
Low – feelings of intense depression and despair
High – feelings of extreme happiness and elation
Mixed – a depressed mood combined with the restlessness of a high or ‘manic’ period
There is still considerable stigma attached the bipolar disorder, both men and women of any age and from any social or ethnic background can develop the illness. The symptoms can first occur and then reoccur when work, studies, family or emotional pressures are at their greatest. In women it can also be triggered by childbirth or during the menopause.
Lynn Hodges, the author of Living with Bipolar Disorder, coach and director of Creative Coaching Consultancy, has much experience with mental illness. In addition to a family history of mental health problems, Lynn has been diagnosed with Bipolar one — the most severe form of manic depression in 2004.
Learning to live with her illness, Lynn designed a workshop on “Living with Bipolar Disorder” for Kent County Council and Lambeth Council, which has been well received by both mental health professionals and patients.
For more information visit Hodges website http://www.livingwithbipolardisorder.co.uk/#
To read an extract from Living with Bipolar Disorder go to http://bit.ly/LsJ0rB
27 June is the first National Bipolar Awareness Day in the UK and Findhorn Press will be launching Living With Bipolar Disorder on that date.
We have a National Bipolar Awareness Day???? I had no idea! Thanks for the link to this website too.
I know I had no idea either & it’s obviously not been well publicised.
It’s all very well having an awareness day- but you need to make people aware of it LOL!
Talk about poorly executed!
I think it is awesome they have a day for those with bipolar, makes it less of a stigma i think.
Yeah I totally agree.
Great idea, I wonder if we have such a thing in the United States or Canada?
I’ve no idea, but I only stumbles across this by chance & didn’t know about it.
Dear shielsy,
Nope, me neither.
Love Dotty xxx
Well I intend to post it on my facebook page so at least those who know me are aware.
Reblogged this on TheBiPolarized.com and commented:
Good to know about this
Thanks Aimer
No problem. Don’t you think it’s funny that their awareness movement is labeling it as a severe mental illness?
I suppose the severity depends with each person who has it.
Great idea but isn’t it typical that they ‘forget’ to tell anyone? Crazy!
I know it still amazes me now!
This is news to me. I wasn’t aware of an awareness day. I think it’s awesome that they have one, but as Rachel said… we need to be aware of it, lol. I know I don’t live in the UK, but I’m going to acknowledge the day anyway.
Yeah so am I. Probably a post on my facebook page so at least some other people in the UK will be aware of it too.
I had no idea. But also, I had no idea it was BPD awareness month in May until the day before. Nothing like this seems to be well publised here in the UK because it is taboo. x
Hopefully this will soon get better
I doubt it. You only have to sit in the doctors/psychiatrists waiting room to see the stigma around mental health.
How do you mean?
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been sat in waiting rooms to have dirty looks (and even comments) over my arms (if they were on show). Sometimes, even, from members of staff that do not directly work in mental health. And then not forgetting the general public if I dare to go out with short sleeves – how dare I let the world see my disgusting scars? I should keep them hidden, in fact probably best if I stay indoors away from those whose aren’t ‘infected’ is the general impression given.
I know what you mean on the looks given in the general public. I’ve not come across it in Dr / psychiatrists waiting room.
The only thing I have noticed is that they seem even more sterile than your standing waiting room
In the US it’s on Oct. 11 but it’s not publicized either. There should be some public service announcements paid for by the pharmaceutical companies and narrated by movie actors and sports figures. There is still too much of a stigma attached to all kinds of mental illness in America too.
I agree, that would be a very good idea.