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Every person, regardless of race or ethnicity, should seek help
if they have a mental health problem or symptoms of a mental
disorder.
-- David Satcher, M.D.
Former U.S. Surgeon General
An estimated 2.3 million Americans have bipolar disorder, also
called manic-depressive illness. A person with bipolar disorder can
go from feeling very, very high (called mania) to feeling very,
very low (depression). With proper treatment, people can control
these mood swings and lead fulfilling lives. While the rate of
bipolar disorder is the same among African Americans as it is among
other Americans, African Americans are less likely to receive a
diagnosis and, therefore, treatment for this illness.
Most African Americans with bipolar disorder are going
undiagnosed and untreated.
Several factors have contributed to African Americans not
receiving help for bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses.
Some of the reasons are:
- A mistrust of health professionals, based in part on
historically higher-than-average institutionalization of African
Americans with mental illness; and on previous mistreatments, like
such tragic events as the Tuskegee syphilis study.
- Cultural barriers between many doctors and their patients
- Reliance on family and religious community, rather than mental
health professionals, during times of emotional distress
- A tendency to talk about physical problems, rather than discuss
mental symptoms, or to mask symptoms with substance abuse or other
medical conditions.
- Socioeconomic factors which can limit access to medical and
mental health care. About 25 percent of African Americans do not
have health insurance.
- Continued misunderstanding and stigma about mental
illness.
Signs of bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder often starts in the teen years, but can emerge
in later life. It is a potentially life-threatening illness that a
person cannot handle alone. Tragically, one of five people with
bipolar disorder commits suicide. The signs of bipolar disorder
include:
Mania
- Excessive energy, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid
talking
- Denial that anything is wrong
- Extremely happy feelings
- Easily irritated
- Needing little sleep
- Unrealistic belief in one�s ability
- Poor judgment
- Sustained, unusual behavior
- Increased sex drive
- Substance abuse
- Aggressive behavior
- Paranoia
Depression
- Poor appetite or eating too much
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Nervousness and worry
- Loss of interest in and withdrawal from usual activities
- Feelings of sadness that don�t go away
- Irritability or restlessness
- Lack of energy
- Feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt
- Inability to think or concentrate
- Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
- Chronic pain or other physical problems that don�t respond to
treatment
- Increased risk-taking behavior, including reckless driving or
substance abuse
No one knows for certain what causes bipolar disorder. But its
causes may include:
- Brain chemistry - There are chemical changes or imbalances in
the brain during both extremes of behavior (mania and
depression).
- Genetics - Close relatives of people with bipolar disorder are
10 to 20 times more likely to get depression or bipolar disorder
than other people.
- Drug and alcohol abuse - More than half of the people diagnosed
with bipolar disorder have histories of substance abuse. In some
cases, substance abuse precedes the development of the problem; in
others, alcohol or other drugs may be used as a form of
self-medication.
- Stressful or disturbing events - Both can cause mood
swings
Bipolar disorder can be
treated.
There is hope. People with bipolar disorder can be helped by
treatment. Treatment can include:
- Medication � The doctor may recommend one or more medicines to
find what works best.
- Counseling � Often, psychotherapy or other forms of counseling
are used in combination with medication.
- Peer Support � The advice and support of others who have
bipolar disorder can aid recovery.
- Complementary Care � Some people benefit from exercise, stress
reduction classes and other activities to complement their
treatment and help them manage their illness.
- ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy � This is used as a last
resort to treat severe bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts.
It�s only considered when medication and therapy haven�t
worked.
If you think that you or someone you know has bipolar disorder,
talk with your primary care physician or faith leader. However,
only a mental health professional can tell if a person has bipolar
disorder and properly treat it. Once in treatment, it is important
that the person receive the support and understanding of friends
and family. Many people also find strength and support through
their religious and spiritual affiliations.
For more information
Contact your local Mental Health Association or
National Mental Health
Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street, 12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
(800) 969-NMHA
National Medical
Association
(for a list of African American doctors)
(888) 662-7497
Black Psychiatrists of America
(510) 834-7103
American Association of
Pastoral Counselors
(703) 385-6967
Depression and Bipolar
Support Alliance
(800) 826-3632
American Psychiatric
Association
(888) 357-7924
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