Bipolar disorder, which was formerly called manic-depressive illness, is a mental disorder characterized by wide mood swings from high (manic) to low (depressive). The highs (manic) are episodes where the person exhibits erratic behavior often “acting out” in scattered unproductive ways. According to “Everyday Health Bipolar Information Center,” these actions could include wild spending sprees, extreme sexual promiscuity that is deeply regretted later or engaging in disruptive embarrassing scenes usually on display in front of others.
JENNIFER LEWIS
The person may rant on about grand schemes, lapse into hysterics over the slightest thing, is often out of touch with reality, and even gets into trouble with the law. The manic episodes are generally followed by a deep depressed state, where they seem very sad and sleep all the time. According to Charlotte Brown, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, “When a person suffering with bipolar is in the depressed state of this disease, it is not uncommon for them to sleep constantly, sometimes refusing to leave their rooms for days.”
Close to eight million Americans currently suffer from this disorder.
Brown indicates that of the many mental disorders that plague our community, bipolar is the most difficult to diagnose. She said “It takes longer, regardless of race, to give a clear diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This has mostly to do with the types of symptoms that are present. A clinician may determine that a display of the psychotic symptoms are associated with something else like schizophrenic psychosis and leave it at that.
This is often further compounded by the fact that 50 to 60 percent of individuals suffering with bipolar disorder also abuse drugs and alcohol and may even be in treatment for the substance abuse. The problem comes when they are in treatment for drugs and/or alcohol, and the bipolar is going unchecked, the mood swings can trigger a relapse.”
For Lewis, it was after years of losing jobs, turning off friends and relatives with her “bad attitude,” and continually engaging in reckless behavior, often endangering others before she began to consider that there might be something more seriously wrong with her. She said, “I did a lot of pretending, as an actress I felt had to always be on point, when in truth I was miserable inside from the deep sadness I had within. When things would go wrong, like they almost always did, it was everyone else’s fault.” The death of two close family members within weeks of each other brought her face- to-face with her breaking point. “My grief at the loss of these people who were so close to me was so all-consuming that I could not function. When weeks and then months passed and I was no better, I knew I had to get help.”
As an advocate for the cause of those suffering with bipolar disorder, Lewis boldly affirmed, “There is no shame in my game.
“I’ll tell anyone that bipolar disorder is a real disease that is manageable. If I can be turned around and find my healing, anyone can.” Lewis is committed to this open approach about her personal struggle because she realizes that there is hope and deliverance from the prison of this disorder. “Through medication and therapy, along with the support of my family and friends, this no longer feels like a battle I can’t win,” said Lewis. “It really is no different that managing and treating diabetes.”
An article reporting on a study done by the Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic on which Brown was a co-author, presented findings that reinforced previous reports on the chronic and severe prevalence of bipolar disorder among African-Americans. It also supported the previous studies, which found high rates of attempted suicide among African-Americans with bipolar disorder.
The article also supports the belief of both Lewis and Brown, that more community education and awareness surrounding bipolar and other mental disorders is needed. This will be paramount in creating a more integrated effort to move towards better recognition of its symptoms, moving past the stigma and the development of more compassion from family, friends and health care providers in dealing with individuals who have this disease.
Lewis also developed and starred in a one-woman show “Bipolar, Bath and Beyond” where she shared her journey with others.
(For more information in bipolar disorder, visit www.bridgetoabrightertomorrow.com.)