data-driven acceptance

This blog was conceived as a way to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month, so here are a few facts and figures about bipolar disorder.

1. It is estimated that 3 million Americans have either BPI or BPII.

2. BPI is characterized by episodes of depression, episodes of hypomania, mixed episodes, and at least one full-blown manic episode.

3. Of all mental illness sufferers, those with bipolar disorder are most likely to attempt and/or succeed at suicide.

4. Episodes can be brought on by disrupted sleep, medication problems, other physical illness, excessive stress, or a traumatic event.

5. A treatment-compliant mentally ill person is actually LESS likely to commit a crime than a non mentally ill person.

6. Bipolar disorder is legally recognized as a disability, which means those who suffer from it are entitled to the protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and PL94-142.

7. Emerging research suggests that a triggered severe manic or depressive episode in someone with bipolar disorder may cause brain damage.

8. Because treatment/medication for bipolar disorder alters the brain chemistry, the bipolar disorder sufferer may experiences differences in personality or activity. This is one of the main reasons cited by patients for going off meds.

9. The research is limited, but their are implications that their may be a link between intellectual capacity and development and the ability to accept and look past the stigma of mental illness. In case that sounds like I may be implying that it's stupid to judge a person based on their illness or its affects....I kinda am.