Stephen's story
Stephen Fry has experienced mental health problems for much of his life. But it wasn't until he was 37 that he was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. "I'd never heard the word before, but for the first time I had a diagnosis that explains the massive highs and miserable lows I've lived with all my life."
During research for his documentary 'The Secret Life of The Manic Depressive', Stephen found out that the illness affects hundreds of thousands of people in the UK. He was also dismayed to discover the extent of prejudice surrounding mental health problems. "I want to speak out, to fight the public stigma and to give a clearer picture of mental illness that most people know little about."
Stephen thinks better public awareness is essential to help people break their silence. "Once the understanding is there, we can all stand up and not be ashamed of ourselves, then it makes the rest of the population realise that we are just like them but with something extra."
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
FacebookMake It Happen in Your Area
Find who what you can where you live.
Run a campaign
Use free resources to run your own campaign.
Join us
Copyright © 2008 Time To Change
Time to Change is led by Mind and Rethink.
R.I.P. Stephen Walker
My loving and caring partner had Bi -Polar Disorder. 3 weeks ago today he took his own life. In the morning when I left we made arrangements for me to come home at lunchtime and that was that. I returned to find hehad taken his own life. He had been low but was coming round he was smiling, he was eating, going out. The thing I want to say is that to everyone he was at the happiest he had ever been - new job,stable family life which was what he had always wanted we all loved him beyond belief, some of his friends can't believe that he has done this at a time where he should've been the happiest that's what people need to be aware of . It is not a choice for someone to just wake up and think I've got everything therefore I am happy. There needs to be awareness that it is not the choice of a person who suffers from Bi Polar when thay are sad or happy. I still feel guilty I am starting to try and understand we were soulmates told each other everything and anything I cling onto the hope that he jsut snapped as there was no note I'll never know we had so many plans but now I am going to make it a mission of mine to help others however I can.
your loss
Thank you for sharing your story which Im sure was very painful for you. You are selfless by sharing your tragic story ... you may be able to help someone else in a similar situation.
I myself have been diagnosed as having bi-polar which was a massive relief. I am now able to cope better with bouts of depression ( which I have experienced from the age of 15.) I am now 58.
Thank you again and I wish you peace in your future.
depression
through a very disarestous marriage i suffered major depression often felt like the end was near. i admire stephen fry and watching his programes inspires me to pull thing together. thank you
Its inspiring and a relief
Its inspiring and a relief to hear from others. I have manic depression and in the last two years have been constantly rapid cycling. Causing great distress to my family and the few friends I have left. I feel people give me a wide berth never sure quite what will happen next. Yet when well I am able to go to work in a very challenging environment. I have been prescribed a cocktail of meds which help, but I struggle with the taking of them.
I reckon that Im much more compassionate than others and have a tolerance for people my family can't understand
Light at the end of a long, dark tunnel
At 56, finally beginning to manage successfully severe depression and anxiety which have been with me for so long, when I had a breakdown in 1999 I didnt know who I was, couldn't get past the profound pain of despair, and wanted to die. I still struggle sometimes with the pointlessness of life but I now know I can't turn around a lifetime of negative thoughts overnight. Talk therapy, people at Mind who understand, tablets no good but I'm still taking them just in case I'm wrong; above all time, patience with myself,physical and creative activities, the right food, and deep relaxation are the keys for me. Healthy, nurturing relationships and a satisfying job too, however they will also take time. Galadriel? One of many who faced the darkness and defeated it.
In reply to your cry for help, as I percieve it x
Hi Galadriel,I am new to time to change but not new to the mental health system.I am a 27 year old woman who was born with bi-pola, most of the time I believe my illness to be a gift as I am more sensative and caring than lots. I have battled with system for years and its an hard one to defeat especially on your own. I do not believe in medication for myself prescribed from doctors, as the meds have had a strong tranquill effect and they have made me feel dead inside in the past, instead I use herbal remedies as and when required and I try to overpower my negative thoughts and emotions by positive outcomes, hard I do understand when its easy noticable that people who are classed as the 'norm' who we are supposed to listen to and take advise from do not understand. There are special people who do understand and feel for others, you just need to find them and put yourself around them, they will help you to help yourself and settle your H.M.S(heart,mind and soul) The key to a happy care free life. If you want to talk your more than welcome to e-mail me on lovesstacey@live.co.uk
A problem shared with right person is a problem halved, I believe pscotherapy is the key and I would much prefer to speak to people just like myself rather than anyone else S.Foley
My Son's is ill too
Nobody believes me when I say that ...For the past 15 years ( my son is 18 now) I have begged and pleaded to be heard. Even his own father ..would not recognise this mental illness.
Since he was a young child i knew he was going to have difficulties...I have 5 children and I know instinct.
He was allways a loner ...playing alone..not making friends.
I have allways fully interacted with my children and did try with my son.
I sent him to art lessons..he is a very gifted human being ...he can draw and write beyond his years.
His aggressive behaviour started when nobody understood his needs and still today he is struggling. He is now in Israel..in the army ..alone and only because he could not make it in the "REAL" world. He was expelled from 2 schools cos of his behaviour. He was not recognised as gifted..only troublesome...
I know deep down ...he is having a tough time and am worried for his well being. He knows what he is ..but he cannot explain it to others. he sees people that we know are not there..What can I do????
Re your son
Hi Anet, Your son is your son, you should see him how he is and cherish that he is different to some just like we all are. I understand why he has run away, if he is anything like me then I have always been seen as different, there is nothing wrong with that it is nice to be different.I am a 27yr old successfull woman in most perceptions from the outside, I have a daughter who is like me, and a partner who is quietly like me,I was diagnosed with depression from a young age and bi-pola, over two years ago, I am happy 95% of the time and with a lot of hard work tunning into myself and others I can overcome the darkness at most times. Never tell your son he is not normal, everyones percepcion of normal is just there opinion, after reading your e-mail I feel I want to just put my arm through the computer to grab your son and say hey 'I UNDERSTAND ' and there is no shame being who he is,who is to percieve, who your son sees? or tell him who he does or doesn't see, or tell what is real or not real, we all have the right to views, beliefs and opinions, I do wish I could wave a magic wand and banish judgement, the world would be so much easier. your sons not on his own, there are lots of us and we look no different to everyone else. x
lovesstacey@live.co.uk S.Foley
See the person first, not the condition
It is important to see people as individuals, and as human beings, rather than some one with a mental health problem. However it is also crucial to recognise the journey taken by an individual, acknowledge their meaning and understanding of symptoms. These steps can help enable them to overcome barriers that affect them undertaking activities of daily living. I am saying this from what I have learnt about my own interaction with users and survivors of mental health treatment, as an allied health care professions student.
In respect of your comment
I believe that the words that you have spoken are true, The problem with the mental health stigma is that old fashion is hard to get rid of and people are scared of the unknown, if hospitals held a good example and doctors backed in force things like time to change and listened to peoples voices rather than doucing most with medication which from my experiences does no good except from make the person intrevert, do you not think that would be a good start? If all people were treat like people with a clean bill rather than been blackened by doctors and nurses notes based on mainly hear-say then the world would be much nicer.
Herbal remedies were put on the earth for a reason, I do not understand why they are not offered as an option in health care as they have a lot less side effects. S.Foley
Good to see openness about Mental Health
I suffered for many years with a Psychotic illness which unfortunatley led to me losing my job and a lot of friends. After struggling for 5 years i have finally recovered and have taken up a nursing degree. I was terrified on my first day about having to reveal to my lecturer about my past illness as I'm sure you can imagine! I was having visions of him telling me i wasn't fit for the course etc and then we finally got to talking about and I said
"well i have to tell you i suffered with a psychotic illness for 5 years" He looked at me and smiled "Honestly" he said "It makes no difference to me, if you have any issues let me know but other than that welcome to nursing" I spent about 5 minutes in the bathroom crying with happiness! Anyway to conclude this is a fantastic campaign and I will be looking to see how i can help.
i was daagnosed at 23yrs old
i was daagnosed at 23yrs old but had previous admissions 2 psyciatric hospitals wen id turned 18yrs.my mother suffers with biopolar and my 23yr old son was diagnosed in january this year.the lows in my time have been horrendous withdrawing so deeply i couldnt even how 2 talk etc.ect neva helped and the belief of sucssedin suicide was my dearest wish.the highs cost me dreadfully financially especially when everybody seemso genuie to me .little support from my cpn angers me we just need 2 live day by day.
I find perceiving reality a constant challenge
Well the medication works but I still have to make an effort to perceive reality through the gloom of
a stable condition.I think thats the bit extra described by Steven Fry though in my case its with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Reality Challenged
Paul Buttigieg
Manic Depression
I have had manic Depression all my life, but was not diagnosed until I was 37 (4years ago) I have suffered extreme discrimination at work and lost alot of friends.
Five stints in the local psychiatric unit within 3 years does not seem to endear you to friends and colleagues surprisingly.
To top it all - I recently tracked down my birth mother, only to discover that she has manic depression aswell - oh joy
Anyway - I now take an interesting coctail of venlafaxin, lithium and quetiapine and have been "stable" for about 9 months. I have a great CPN, consultant psychiatrist and clinical psychologist and would just be grateful to get through a whole year of being out of hospital.
Surprisingly, although some mental health professions feel the need to talk to me like I am 5 years old, I have an IQ of 170 and hold down a very good job.
I did not choose to be like this - but really have no wish to be "normal" - I have been places that many people do not get to go - good and bad - and hsve made some brilliant friends who also have mental health problems.
When I watched the prgramme Stephen Fry did on manic depression I suddenly felt that it wasn't just me and for the first time in my life, stopped apologising for the way I am. Hey if the brilliant, funny and all round great Stephen Fry can live with this - then so can I
Ruth Wynn
Manic depressive and proud
My own mental health problems
I suffer from borderline personality disorder that I reckon is linked in with my gender dysphoria and classing myself as a gay man trapped in the body of a woman I've suffered from crippling depression and confusion for most of my adult life. I have to admit that, I'm totally ashamed of my female gender - but I'm not ashamed of suffering from mental illness and I would gladly stand up and be counted.