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Mental health disorders can be isolating. You may not want to admit you have a problem, be afraid of judgment or feel like no one will understand your experience. We're talking about mental health stigma on our latest episode, "Beyond the stigma of bipolar disorder." Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode Summary
Amid rising understanding and support for mental health disorders, some — like bipolar disorder — remain heavily shrouded in stigma. Author and neuroscientist Lisa Genova’s new book, “More or Less Maddy,” tackles this subject with accuracy and compassion. We talk to Lisa and Mayo Clinic licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Lorelei Rowe about how bipolar can affect those with the disorder and their loved ones.
We talked about:
In this episode, Dr. Millstine and her guests discuss:
- Stigma of bipolar (and mental health in general). The novel's main character doesn't fully disclose her mental health problems to her healthcare professionals and loved ones - she doesn’t want to be judged! The stigma and shame around mental health prevents many people from seeking help.
- Whole body illnesses. They may be called "mental illness” D.r Rowe says, but we experience them throughout our whole bodies, with physical symptoms like loss of appetite that go along with intense emotional pain.
Questions for discussion:
- Do you or a loved one have bipolar disorder (or another mental health condition)? What do you wish people better understood?
Share your thoughts, questions and opinions below!
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I really appreciate this episode for shedding light on how bipolar disorder is much more than mood swings, it’s a whole body experience that often goes misunderstood due to stigma.
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2 Reactions@readtalkgrow I’m so sorry to hear how many people don’t seek help because of the stigma they feel in seeking help from a mental health specialist, despite doing so on a confidential basis. That’s terrible that there are people who don’t feel safe doing that. That’s a massive issue in itself, right there.
I suffered from severe anxiety after my mother died very unexpectedly from small cell lung cancer. We thought she had the flu and less than 30 days later she was gone. I did seek help and did keep it secret, especially from my work. I knew that if I was validly angry about something at work the validity would be ignored. I knew that judgments would be made about my mental stability and ability to function. I know I was right to be ultra cautious, and I was promoted and reached the peak of my profession through therapy and medication with no one knowing! There’s no way I would have been able to do so if my condition was known. I did tell my sister once (who is a highly qualified senior nurse) expecting understanding and support. She said people like me shouldn’t be allowed to hold responsible positions!!! Incredible.
I learnt my lesson and I’ve flourished with a great therapist and GP.
After I took early retirement due to my stage 4 cancer fight, I’ve become much more open when I feel talking about my experience can help someone make choices.
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2 ReactionsEl deterioro cognitivo leve es una condición médica que muchos no entienden porque no solo se trata de la pérdida de la memoria, sino de la confusión, y la inestabilidad tanto emocional como física porque a veces cuando me descompenso, siento desaliento con mareos y dolor de cabeza, y tengo que recostarme porque empiezo a caminar como si estuviera borracho y me puedo tropezar y caer: me siento inseguro, y todas esas cosas me afanan y me dan mucha ansiedad porque también pierdo el hilo de lo que esté pensando y haciendo especialmente si tengo interrupciones.
Muchas veces me confundo o se me olvidan las palabras que voy a decir, y también me pasa que oigo mal lo que me dicen y no entiendo bien y me tienen que repetir y hablar más despacio para entender.
Últimamente me altero con facilidad y me desespero poniéndome de mal genio, y esos cambios de humor me pasan ahora de forma seguida, y me preocupa es que la gente no entiende, y piensa que yo hago todo eso a propósito, y eso me deprime mucho porque no sé cómo voy a parar ni cuanto tiempo para que mi conciencia empiece a fallar más intensamente y eso es preocupante.
Estoy medicado para la ansiedad y para la depresión, así como para la tembladera que es cada vez más seguida.
Me gustaría que las doctoras me dieran recomendaciones para sobrellevar esta condición médica. Muchas gracias y bendiciones desde Tunja en Boyacá, Colombia.
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