Get over it The stigma of depression and bipolar disorder

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<h1>Get over it The stigma of depression and bipolar disorder</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Stephen Murray.aspx'>Stephen Murray</a></strong><br /><p>There are a lot of medical illnesses that receive enormous support for research, education and treatment. Such illnesses as breast cancer, muscular dystrophy, and autism to name a few have wonderful programs and organizations to help fund such initiatives and to make this happen. But of all of the direct benefits that occur from such exposure a somewhat larger benefit happens because of the very successful marketing campaigns that help educate the public at large. Most of us can easily identify with such campaigns and slogans as “Walk for the cure”, “Autism Speaks” or the “Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telephone”. These fantastic movements help the public be comfortable in discussing important health issues without any stigma attached. What a wonderful gift this has been for individuals and their families knowing that their medical condition is received with understanding, compassion and acceptance. This however is not always the case when it comes to mental illness where there still exists a lot of social stigma. The irony here is that mental illness effects most or our lives in some way with approximately 21 million Americans suffering from depression and is considered the leading cause of disability in this country. With such numbers one would think the necessary discussion around mental illnesses would be easier to have, but this tends not to be the case. One possible reason for this is that conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder often exist with other difficult issues. Drug use, alcoholism, sexual abuse, and grief are to name a few of the other pathologies that frequently coexist with depression and bipolar disorder. These issues with multiple layers of complexity may leave the average person unwilling to get involved since they do not know where to begin. The answer here lays in educating others with the knowledge that help is available. It may require combinations of medicines, psycho therapeutic intervention, and lifestyle changes, but there is help. If you know of someone suffering form depression of bipolar, encourage them to seek help and don’t shy away from the issue. Its important to remain proactive, and to make sure that all of the symptoms are gone and that the individual is functioning again. Don’t be afraid to get second opinions, even third opinions if you feel something could be better Start close in, don’t take the second step or the third start with the thing close in, the step you don’t want to take - David Whyte </p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />For additional help in understanding <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cheryltherman.org</a>">mood disorders</a> better visit the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cheryltherman.org">Cheryl T. Herman foundation</a> web site at <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cheryltherman.org">cheryltherman.org</a>. <p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Get-over-it-The-stigma-of-depression-and-bipolar-disorder_52810.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Get over it The stigma of depression and bipolar disorder_52810.aspx</a></p>

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Keywords : mood disorders, Cheryl T. Herman foundation, cheryltherman,

Category : Society : Society