I think bipolar disorder is one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses today. I mean, really – how many times have you heard people say, “Oh, my God, she is so bipolar!” whenever a person happens to be able to experience more than one mood?

You might’ve even said it yourself once or twice.

The truth is, there are different types of bipolar disorder (think Type I, Type II, Cyclothymia, and Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified), various other disorders often co-exist with bipolar disorder (such as anxiety disorders and substance abuse/addiction), bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as or for conditions like depression and borderline personality disorder, and, yes, a person can be happy one minute and sad the next and not have bipolar disorder.

Former Atomic Kitten member Kerry Katona recently addressed the Oxford Union about her battle with bipolar disorder during what she claimed was to be a “nothing off limits” question and answer session and during what I hoped would help educate a lot of people about bipolar disorder, or at least give them some insight about the disorder from someone who’s been there.

However, The Galloway Gazette reported only 100 of the expected 250 audience members attended:

More than 250 people had been expected to attend, but audience members said the city centre venue was half empty, with barely 100 people listening to the talk.

Regardless of how many people attended, those who did show seemed to enjoy the event and maybe even learned a thing or two:

Audience members said Katona’s speech was warmly received even though she admitted she was nervous before she started.

Henry Evans, 19, a history student from Kent, said: “She talked about being a celebrity, how she deals with fame and how it affects her children.

“I thought she did very well, but very few people turned out. I found it interesting though. It was a lot better than working.”

Jeff Rawson, a 19-year-old English student from Guildford, Surrey, said: “There was a lot said about her bipolar disorder. The talk was quite humorous.”

Anshul Bakhda, 19, from Elstree, Hertfordshire, said: “I thought she was really good. She was very frank and open.

“It was a really refreshing question and answer session, as there was nothing she wouldn’t talk about. She talked about her history with mental illness, her mum, and the impact of the media on her family.” (Sky News)

An MTV film crew recorded the event for Katona’s upcoming reality show, Kerry Katona: What’s The Problem?, so the talk will hopefully reach even more people once the show screens in May.

In the meantime, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides a pretty thorough and easy-to-read online publication about bipolar disorder if you want to learn more.

Comments

This post currently has 4 comments/trackbacks.
You can read the comments or leave your own thoughts.

Trackbacks

From Psych Central's website:
PsychCentral (April 29, 2009)

biFACTOR (April 30, 2009)

    Last reviewed: 29 Apr 2009