Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day
by Sue Veldkamp, R.N.
October 9, 2003 is "National Bipolar Disorder Awareness Day" sponsored by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill along with Abbott Laboratories. This day is set aside during National Mental Health Awareness Week (October 6-11, 2003) to raise awareness of an illness, which affects over 2.5 MILLION Americans. And those are the Americans who have been properly DIAGNOSED. How many thousands upon thousands of individuals are out there not diagnosed or mis-diagosed that are receiving improper or no treatment for their illness? There are thousands! And this doesn't begin to cover the countless numbers of children diagnosed with ADHD that are in fact, suffering from bipolar disorder instead. The treatment for these 2 diseases are vastly different! SAMHSA recently released a report which stated that there are over 17.5 MILLION Americans aged 18 or older that suffer from a serious mental illness, and over 27.3 MILLION Americans aged 18 or over sought treatment for a mental illness in 2002. In the Summer 2003 Newsletter put out by the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, it states that, "Among the top ten causes of disability WORLDWIDE, five are behavioral health disorders, including major depression (#1 cause of disability), alcohol problems (#4), bipolar disorder (#6), schizophrenia (#9) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (#10)." It goes on to state that, "depression is the LEADING cause of disability in the United States." On the National Mental Health Association's website it answers the question, "How does Bipolar Disorder Impact a Person's Life?" by answering this way: For people living with bipolar disorder, it may become extremely distressing and disruptive. Days lost from work, loss of employment and difficulty regaining employment can all contribute to the disruption caused by the disorder. A survey of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) members found 88 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder had been hospitalized at least once and that 66 percent had been hospitalized twice or more. A U.S. study found that only 43 percent of patients with bipolar disorder were employed six months after discharge from a psychiatric hospitalization, and only 21 percent were functioning at their expected level of employment. The intimate relationships of those with bipolar disorder tend to also suffer. The above mentioned DBSA survey also found that 57 percent to 73 percent of patients with bipolar disorder were divorced, or had past marital difficulties. Finally, researchers estimate that more than 40 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder abuse alcohol or drugs during their illness. Early diagnosis and treatment can help better manage the illness. There's even an article in the September 8, 2003 issue of Sports Illustrated, which states in part: It (depression) is an invisible incubus that will haunt 19 million Americans this year. One in six people will be affected by it in their lifetimes. It accounts for countless sick days and costs U.S. industry $44 billion annually in medical expenses and lost productivity. Depression is an equal-opportunity affliction, not discriminating according to class or social standing. Among the millions affected: Barbara Bush, Halle Berry and Winston Churchill, who called his depression "my black dog," a companion that seldom left his side. The list of athletes who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder or social anxiety disorder--three of the most common forms of mental illness--would make for a hell of a table at a charity dinner. Ricky Williams, the NFL's 2002 rushing leader, suffered such overwhelming social anxiety that he couldn't bring himself to leave his house to mail a letter. Terry Bradshaw, the star quarterback and irrepressible NFL broadcaster, was once so depressed that he would go to bed crying. On the eve of last January's Super Bowl, Oakland Raiders center Barret Robbins neglected to take medication to treat his bipolar disorder, went on a Tijuana drinking jag, considered committing suicide and was in a hospital during what should have been the biggest game of his career. Mike Tyson was in the clutches of depression long before he turned into a pitiable sideshow. It goes on to state that, "But in a culture suffused with testosterone and seldom characterized as either sensitive or progressive, mental illness remains largely stigmatized--and, not surprisingly, largely undiagnosed. "Blow out your knee, get into trouble with the law, fail a drug test, and the team will help you back," says Russ Johnson, a former Tampa Bay Devil Rays infielder whose depression was diagnosed last year and who now plays for the Mets' Triple A affiliate. "Suffer a mental or emotional injury, and it's a big mark against you." Isn't it ironic that in today's society we can talk openly about diseases such as cancer, AIDS, epilepsy, diabetes and countless others, but when the words, "mental illness" are brought up, people run the other way? The only way we are going to encourage individuals to seek treatment is to do two things - EDUCATE the public as to the issues surrounding mental illness and, number two, DE-STIGMATIZE the illness so that individuals are NOT AFRAID to seek treatment out of fear. Period. Two individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder have been speaking out publicly about their illness in the hopes to do just that - educate and de-stigmatize. The first, Andy Behrman, is the author of the book Electroboy published by Random House. Electroboy is a chronicle of Andy's battle with bipolar disorder - the euphoric highs and the desperate lows. Andy was misdiagnosed by 8 doctors and even when he was finally correctly diagnosed, he was unsuccessful on any type of drug treatment regimen and had to turn to the treatment of "last resort" - electroshock therapy. Andy is a graduate of Wesleyan University and his book has been featured in the New York Times and in many other notable publications. Andy has appeared on the Rosie O'Donnell show and currently lives "mania free" in Los Angeles, California, where he is writing a sequel to Electroboy. Another individual, who is my best friend Paul Jones, has suffered from bipolar disorder since the age of 11, but was only diagnosed 3 years ago at the age of 36. This man went through life for over 25 years knowing "something was wrong." Instead of playing sports, he was introspective and creative. Instead of socializing in a crowd of teenagers, he was a loner, often in his room for hours quietly writing music and learning how to play the guitar. Because of this "creativity," he was labeled as "different" - as he got older and started to perform on stage as a stand-up comedian, he was labeled as "eccentric" - after all, aren't most artists "eccentric?" His bizarre actions were simply thought to be a part of him - a part of his "artistic personality." I watched this man go on stage night after night in several comedy clubs, making people laugh so hard that they would have tears in their eyes, and then after the show, go back to his hotel room and hide under the covers, crying his eyes out in the depths of his own personal pain. Every single day was a struggle for him - a struggle to stay alive - a struggle to be productive - a struggle against his personal "bipolar demon." When Paul first brought up the fact that he knew something was wrong with his manager, his misinformed and ignorant manager encouraged him to not seek treatment, fearing it would "ruin his creativity." Instead of looking out for Paul's best interests, his manager was only interested in the 20% Paul's work would generate for him. Sadly, Paul listened to this manager because he thought he had his best interests at heart. Paul's condition continued to deteriorate until finally the thoughts of suicide became so pervasive that he was forced to seek treatment on his own or risk ending his life. Although properly diagnosed, Paul was medicated incorrectly, which threw him into a year long period of intense mania. His spending sprees are legendary. He gave thousands upon thousands of dollars away to charities and non-profit organizations because he thought that was what "God was telling him to do." It wasn't until October of 2001 when all monies were gone and he was forced to sell his business and return to full time employment did Paul hit "rock bottom." He struggled until November of 2002, until the pain got so bad that he decided that the only way to end the pain in his life was to take his life. He sat down in his office and started writing what started to be his suicide letter - his final words to the world. This suicide letter, which ended up being 104 pages long, turned into a small book of sorts. It was this writing that saved his life! After sharing his "letter" with several family members, friends, and mental health professionals, Paul was encouraged to publish it. Dear World: A Suicide Letter was published by Trafford Publishing in March 2003 and is currently in its fourth printing. Paul has traveled to several colleges, universities, and high schools to educate students, mental health professionals, and student nurses about the impact that bipolar disorder can have on an individual's life - and how important it is for individuals who may be suffering from this illness to be PROPERLY diagnosed and PROPERLY treated. He was even the featured speaker at the Cincinnati Mental Health Association's July meeting. These two men are willing to put their lives in public view to share the devastation that bipolar disorder can cause to an individual's life. And for MEN to speak out publicly about an illness that is perceived to be a "weakness" is newsworthy in itself. How many MEN would stand up in front of millions and say, "I have a mental illness" and risk possible humiliation? I don't know of too many. Paul has told me several times that he didn't seek treatment for so long simply OUT OF FEAR - fear of being "labeled" - fear of being viewed as "different" - fear of not being able to get life insurance for his family. And you know - his fears have come true. He cannot get life insurance because he is viewed as a "suicide risk" - he is now "labeled" because of society's fear. I can remember a time when the word "cancer" was whispered and the word "AIDS" was shocking and frightening. Only when people, very PUBLIC people, started speaking out about these illnesses did the public's perception begin to change. And with changed public perception came MORE individuals seeking TREATMENT and more treatments being developed. Just look at the MILLIONS being spent on AIDS research, where once it was an "in the closet" illness. Look at how much publicity has been received about MS, now that Montel has spoken up publicly about his own personal battle. Until we give that same kind of press coverage to mental illness, the over 27.3 MILLION Americans who will have been treated for it in 2002 will continue to be labeled, continue to be discriminated against, and continue to not seek proper treatment out of FEAR. Individuals with mental illnesses CAN lead productive and fulfilling lives, once properly diagnosed and properly treated. Such examples are too vast to list here, but a few "notable" individuals that have publicly stated that they suffer from bipolar disorder and/or depression include: Jim Carey, Mariette Hartley, Sting, Ted Turner, Dick Cavett, Daryl Strawberry, Axl Rose, Rosemary Clooney, Jonathan Winters, Patricia Cornwell, Patty Duke, Kristy McNichol, Margo Kidder, Carrie Fisher, Buzz Aldrin and some "past" individuals such as: Winston Churchill, Ludwig Von Beethoven, Edgar Allen Poe, Mark Twain, and many, many others. There are over 27.3 MILLION Americans who have been treated for a mental illness in 2002 - that doesn't begin to cover the family, friends and loved ones of these individuals - the MILLIONS of Americans who support and live with someone with a mental illness. These individuals need information - these individuals need facts - these individuals need support - and these individuals need resources as well. To watch someone you love spiraling down into a deep depression is not an "easy" thing to witness or to live with. To watch someone devastate your personal bank account while in a manic "frenzy" can destroy a marriage. To live with and/or support someone whose only daily thoughts are how to kill themselves can take its own emotional toll on those individuals who are desperately trying to find a way to help. Please help me help these families by bringing AWARENESS to what can be a devastating and life-ending illness! Sue Veldkamp is a Registered Nurse with over 28 years of experience in the Obstetric/Gynecologic field. She is also President of Matschca Design, Inc., an Internet design firm, which creates websites for businesses and non-profit organizations. Sue is also the webmaster for Bipolar Survivor.com and Bipolar Books
Sue's good friend, Paul Jones, suffers from bipolar disorder and she is very passionate about educating the public as well as addressing the stigma issues surrounding this illness. Contact Sue by email at sue@matschca.com or by phone at (513) 233-0932 or by cell at (513) 403-7719.
Last modified: September 30, 2003