UK/USA

People in the UK have largely the USA version of bipolar disorder (a diagnosis created in the USA in 1980). We have often heard;

“has always been around” – It is not true.

or

“is just the same as the old manic depression diagnosis”- Also not true. Why?

or

“people can be born with bipolar disorder” – Not true. More on genetics

Through Rethinking Bipolar, I am sharing as much as I can of my 16 years studying, writing and teaching about manic depression / bipolar disorder. He’s a few bullet points:

• It does not have to be for life
• It does not always have to be treated with drugs
• It is not a separate illness
• It is not distinguishable from other forms of emotional distress
• When we take time to look we usually find physical causes that can be eliminated
• Eliminating causes can allow a whole new life – you may still feel ‘a bit bipolar’ but now without the disorder part

Help with identifying causes of disorders usually enables recovery and long lasting well-being.

Please read more, watch videos and seek out alternative views. If not convinced that great recoveries are possible please come back here again in a few months as I am keen to share more of what I have learned.

Does the USA need to lead the way? The bipolar diagnosis was created in the USA. The rest of the world has followed. Adopting American style diets and lifestyles has weakened young people’s coping mechanisms leading to more emotional distress. I believe it needs people in the USA regain hope, rethink what is meant by ‘bipolar’ and make the choices necessary to lead the world in eliminating the disorder. I am hoping I can help, although rather isolated from where the highest rates of bipolar are in the USA.

Here are just some of those who have so far been involved, supported, contributed or shared some great ideas to help with Rethinking Bipolar:

Tom Whootton, San Fransisco, USA – author of ‘Bipolar IN Order’: www.bipolaradvantage.com

Sean Blackwell, Canada/Brazil – author of ‘Am I Bipolar or Just Waking Up?’: www.bipolarorwakingup.com

Robert Whitaker, USA – author of ‘Mad in America’: www.madinamerica.com

Dr Liz Miller, London, UK – author of: Mood Mapping

Jeremy Thomas who has supported Roger since exchanging our first books at a bipolar conference in 2005…

• Jeremy “co-produced a BBC documentary about manic depression with Dr Tony Hughes and Stephen Fry. The documentary that won the Emmy for Best International Documentary in 2008.
• Jeremy co-wrote (with Hughes) You Don’t Have to Be Famous to Have Manic Depression: An A-Z Guide to Mental Health (Michael Joseph/Penguin, September 2007).
• Also, Jeremy Thomas’ first novel about a life with bipolar called Taking Leave.

Becky Shaw co-author (with Roger) of the Advance Statement Workbook and many research articles about emotional disorders, recovery, well-being and developing resilience

Danny Walsh, Lincoln, UK – co-author with Roger of our 2012 Bipolar Disorder handbook

Others who are supporting Rethinking Bipolar include Marian Moore who provided an article and Simon who has been gradually eliminating my typing mistakes and helping it all make sense to those who do not have direct experience of the most extremes of moods and behavior.