Archive for August, 2007

Interview with a college student with bipolar disorder

4 years ago
in

The following is a video interview with Megan, a college student with bipolar disorder.


Violence and Mental Illness: The Facts

4 years ago
in , , ,

The and associated with mental illnesses largely stem from the link between mental illness and violence in the minds of the general public, according to the U.S. Surgeon General 1. The belief that persons with mental illness are dangerous is a significant factor in the development of stigma and discrimination 2. The effects of stigma and discrimination are profound. The President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health found that, “Stigma leads others to avoid living, socializing, or working with, renting to, or employing people with mental disorders – especially severe disorders, such as schizophrenia. It leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessness. It deters the public from seeking and wanting to pay for care. Responding to stigma, people with mental problems internalize public attitudes and become so embarrassed or ashamed that they often conceal symptoms and fail to seek treatment 3.”

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  1. DHHS, 1999 [↩]
  2. Corrigan, et al., 2002 [↩]
  3. New Freedom Commission, 2003 [↩]

Bipolar Disorder Statistics

4 years ago
in

Who is Affected by Bipolar Disorder?

* Bipolar disorder affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population age 18 and older every year. 1
* The median age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25 years 2, although the illness can start in early childhood or as late as the 40′s and 50′s.
* An equal number of men and women develop bipolar illness and it is found in all ages, races, ethnic groups and social classes.
* More than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder have at least one close relative with the illness or with unipolar major , indicating that the disease has a heritable component. 3
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  1. National Institute of Mental Health [↩]
  2. National Institute of Mental Health [↩]
  3. National Institute of Mental Health [↩]
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