Bipolar Disorder and Mental Illness Issues not just for "plain" Folk

Bipolar Disorder and Mental Heath Illnesses not attack only the ordinary people in this world? It doesn't qualify by financial status or popularity. It's a horrible disease that attacks anyone at any time.

God loves all of us. Even those with mental illness. "Beloved, do not think it stage concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." -- 1 Peter 4:12-13

Mariel Hemingway is a prime example of having a family full of mental health issues. Speaks about it in Key West.

Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) affects approximately 5.7 million American adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. That's a LOT of people. Famous or not, you may have some type of mental illness in your family.

According to Juhie Bhatia writing for everyday Health in her article The Price of Fame? "The erratic behavior of creative people is often attributed to this condition, since bipolar disorder is characterized by disabling mood swings during which a person goes from a high, manic phase to a low, depressed one. Though it's difficult to verify if this condition actually crops up more often among artists and celebrities, many famous people, both now and in years past, are thought to be bipolar." 

Bhatia picks out only 10 but there are more. Many more famous people with Mental Illness. So many famous people and "not so famous" people try to self medicate their mental health systems with alcohol and drugs. So, those are the FIRST signs seen by the public. A drug addict or alcoholic may just be covering up a deeper problem that deals with their mental health.

We can look back into history and see how Bipolar Disorder affected a twentieth century writer by the name of Virginia Woolf. 

According to Bhatia,"she suffered mood swings and breakdowns throughout her life. An article in the American Journal of Psychiatry explains her behaviors: "From the age of 13, Woolf had symptoms that today would be diagnosed as bipolar disorder; she experienced mood swings from severe depression to manic excitement and episodes of psychosis. In her own time, however, psychiatry had little to offer her."

The poor woman wrote through her moods and produced hauntingly perfect material that cried out for her life. 

We all know about Carrie Fisher, right? You don't? Oh my,

well start reading, Giving Bhatia this credit ,"Carrie Fisher's portrayal of Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy turned her into a pop-culture icon. However, partly due to her tumultuous childhood, she struggled with drug and alcohol addictions. In her early 20s Fisher was told she was hypomanic, but she didn't believe her doctor. Over time, however, she came to terms with her condition and became a bestselling author in the process, writing books such as Postcards From the Edge and Surrender the Pink. Becoming a mother was the impetus for this change. "Prior to having a child, I really did feel, it's my business if I wanted to stop my medications," she told bp Magazine. "I no longer feel that's so."

I read bp Magazine. Her article in there was absolutely wonderful.

I've given you a link to Bhatia's full article. I suggest you read it. It might make you feel better, that "it's not just you" Bipolar and Mental Illness affects. We all have to deal with something. Having Bipolar Disorder really isn't that bad and I have a full deck of mental illnesses. The most important thing is to stay positive. Take your medications. Have faith in your God. Create and listen to your support group.

I know if you had your choice to have BPD or nothing, you'd choose nothing. But, maybe I wouldn't. It taught me some things about life and friends and family that I may have never learned, otherwise.

Suffering will end. I know this. I believe. I believe in my Lord Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father, God. "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be more more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." -- Revelation 21:4

Think about it.

Have a blessed day.