HAVE you been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder? If you answered yes, you are not alone says the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) in commemoration of Bipolar Awareness Day (Friday, 26th May).
More than 400 South Africans responded to an online survey by SADAG.
Read here for information on the Bluff SADAG group.
“The results indicate a need for treatment, as 65 per cent of respondents report having manic highs, 82 per cent experienced deep depression and 67 per cent have been hospitalised at least once in their lifetime. Furthermore, 84 per cent have attempted or considered suicide. Of those that had previously attempted suicide, 27 per cent were younger than 30, and 28 per cent were earning less than R12,000 per month,” read a SADAG statement on the survey results.
“While it’s positive to see that most respondents had told a family member, friend or colleague about their condition, and that the responses were largely supportive, 26 per cent still faced lack of understanding, disinterest, dismissal, insults, prejudice, or hostility.
“Bipolar disorder is a chronic illness that affects about one per cent to three per cent of the world.
“This condition is responsible for the loss of more disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) than all forms of cancer, or major neurological conditions, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.”
Bipolar disorder is unlike the usual ups and downs of life.
“People with this disorder experience unusually intense fluctuations in emotional states. These emotional swings usually occur from the overjoyed highs of a manic episode to the crushing lows of depression, and people with bipolar disorder swing between these two polar opposites. People may be irritable or aggressive, sad or hopeless; they may experience extreme changes in energy, activity and the need for sleeping and eating. These signs can all be part of the mood fluctuations,” said psychiatrist, Dr Frans Korb.
To create awareness, SADAG hosts a Facebook Friday online chat at 1pm and at 7pm with psychologists and psychiatrists. Go to the The South African Depression and Anxiety Group Facebook page to participate.
For information call SADAG any day from 8am to 8pm on 080-070-8090 or visit www.sadag.org.
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