The stigma surrounding bipolar disorder can have a huge impact on our lives. Read these articles pertaining to stigma and living with bipolar disorder.
Stigma stings, but when it happens in your own backyard—our own families and friends not accepting us—it is especially hard to take. Stigma, no matter where it comes from, is insensitive and dehumanizing. But when discrimination comes from those we consider to be part of our inner circle—friends, family, co-workers, fellow worshipers, others we’d hope...
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Sometimes people are unaware that using mental health terms to describe everyday situations can cause harm to people by trivializing those mental health issues. Back in my days of mental health ignorance, when I didn’t know the difference between different disorders and thought everyone with a mental health issue was just “crazy,” certain things didn’t...
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I am so much more than my diagnosis. Yet as soon as people find out I have bipolar, their perception—and their behavior toward me—change. According to Forbes magazine, we have 7 seconds to make a first impression, good or bad. Imagine that—being judged based on so little time. When I tell someone who doesn’t know...
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An epilogue, or writing at the end of a work, with facts about bipolar could help decrease stigma and misinformation about the condition. September 1, 2018, MORGANTOWN, WV—Adding an epilogue to a television show episode about bipolar disorder increases viewers’ positive views towards the disorder, a new study has found. American researchers had two...
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Interested in becoming a mental health advocate? There are many opportunities such as Mental Illness Awareness Week to join the movement! Hi! I’m Allison Strong for bp Magazine’s bphope Vlog. I like to be involved with the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance (who I just found), Mental Health America, the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), and National...
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Myths about bipolar can perpetuate stigma and unhelpful treatment strategies—so it’s important to learn the facts about living with this brain-based disorder. Hi. This is Karl Shallowhorn with the BPHope.com vlog. In this segment, I’m going to be talking about three of the myths associated with bipolar disorder. Myth #1 One of the myths...
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Stereotyping can come at unexpected moments and you may not know how to react—this can be fuel for your mission to combat stigma. By Carol Borrelli As a person with a mental health condition, and almost a lifetime of caring for others with one as well, countering stigma means the world to me. I...
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It can be difficult to talk to others about bipolar for many reasons—arming yourself with education and preparing examples can help. If I walk up to someone who doesn’t know anything about bipolar disorder and just tell them I have bipolar disorder, chances are very good there’s going to be a massive misunderstanding there....
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When people hurl insults at me involving my condition, I try to use it to propel me into a mindset of staying in touch with my self-confidence and healthy pride. By Carol Borrelli Unfortunately, in life, sometimes there are those that we encounter who will use our bipolar disorder diagnosis against us. This is...
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Publicizing your bipolar diagnosis can lead to both support and negative comments or “attacks,”. Here’s how you can handle the good and bad. I happen to be a very public person and I very publicly have bipolar disorder. Everyone who reads me, everyone who reads my book, anyone who sees anything to do with...
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