Media interpretation of BP - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

bluegreensky · 05-08-2009, 04:23 AM

hey all, i have recently been struggling with feelings of anger towards the way the media interprets bipolar disorder...i do ofcourse realize that i can't expect most people to be educated about this illness, but you would think that if they intend on including it in a television program or film that they would do some research in order to accurately portray the symptoms etc. BUT NO! the more crazy they can make it appear, the better their ratings will be 'coz it makes it exciting to watch! aaargh! anybody feel the same? there isn't much we can do about it though hey?..just have to accept it i suppose..?

blue

windimeria2000 · 05-08-2009, 11:48 AM

The media has a great deal of influence in our society. People turn on there TV or radio and see and hear the recent news. The media covers what ever story that they believe will interest the viewers more. I also agree that most media coverage about Bipolar is negative however, in recent years there has been an increase in advocates for this disorder and people are starting to understand that it can be treated. * removed * I agree that there is little education about bipolar disorder. However, furthering education is something one must choose for themselves. Some people just choose to stay in the dark about somethings and sometimes make a nuisance of themselves. Just be glad your not.

Best Wishes

dreams in neon · 05-08-2009, 12:39 PM

It's ironic that I come across this post because on another bipolar message board I read a message from someone in another country who said there is a company (who I do not want to name) advertising a certain piece of clothing and using the word "bipolar" to describe it. After I read the press release, I was appalled and couldn't believe a company could be so insensitive to those of us who have this disorder.

Several weeks ago I was watching a movie in which a character said "Don't go bipolar on me!" At first this comment made me chuckle, but the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me because it's bad enough that most people think bipolar disorder only involves bouts of anger even though we know this isn't true.

I've been in the mental health system for the past 18 years and even the so-called "professionals" have a great deal to learn about bipolar.

We're getting closer to reducing stigma, but still have a very long way to go.

Bunnylover · 05-08-2009, 02:40 PM

I think this is the second most stigmitized mental illness to have--schizophrenia being the worst. People seem to think all bipolar people are crazy nutcases. Part of what held up my diagnosis so long was that all the mental health professionals I've seen have thought I was too sane to be bipolar.

Unfortunately, given where I am careerwise, I don't feel safe "coming out" as bipolar, but some day when my circumstances change to be able to publically let people know that I am bipolar, so they can see that we're not scary insane people, but people struggling with a treatable illness.

When my husband told my in-laws (at my request), my normally very tolerant mother-in-law, usually very open about mental health problems, asked me a bunch of questions basically to see if I was ruining her son's life. I don't know how long it will be until our relationship recovers from that, it's hard to forget.

Sorry, just venting I guess, but this is a round about way of saying I agree with you.

katlin09 · 05-08-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreams in neon

It's ironic that I come across this post because on another bipolar message board I read a message from someone in another country who said there is a company (who I do not want to name) advertising a certain piece of clothing and using the word "bipolar" to describe it. After I read the press release, I was appalled and couldn't believe a company could be so insensitive to those of us who have this disorder.

Several weeks ago I was watching a movie in which a character said "Don't go bipolar on me!" At first this comment made me chuckle, but the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me because it's bad enough that most people think bipolar disorder only involves bouts of anger even though we know this isn't true.

I've been in the mental health system for the past 18 years and even the so-called "professionals" have a great deal to learn about bipolar.

We're getting closer to reducing stigma, but still have a very long way to go.

Dreams,

That phrase has never made me chuckle, that's what me ex alwasy says to me when I start to get the least bit legitimitly upset about something. He does it to be purposefully hurtful and cruel.

kat