Help say goodbye to bipolar disorder
World Bipolar Day (WBD) takes place on March 30, 2017. In recent years a day has been set aside to draw attention to a health or mental health condition and to raise awareness. The reason why 30 March was decided for the WBD was because that was the day, in 1853, when the painter Vincent van Gogh was born. Now considered one of the greatest artists of all time, van Gogh is thought to have suffered from the disorder.
Like so many mental health conditions, bipolar disorder has been misunderstood and people affected by have face stigma which causes them to not seek treatment or feel shamed to have the condition.
Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depression, causes unusual swings in mood which can interfere with our ability to go about our daily business. from extreme euphoria to crippling depression. Someone experiencing a ‘manic’ or ‘high’ episode can feel invincible and engage in risky behaviour. At the other end of the condition, the ending or driving too fast. During a depressive episode, they can be unable to to anything and feel so bad about things and themselves, suicidal thoughts are possible.
Poor Vincent had little in the way of help but things have changed since his time and bipolar disorder can be treated effectively. People with it can live normal lives, hold down jobs, relationships and study and friendships.
This WBD help say goodbye to bipolar disorder and the stigma about mental health problems.