The tragic loss of Robin Williams brought the issue of bipolar disorder, suicide and depression out of the shadows. Statistics show approximately 2.6 percent of American adults live with the diagnosis, about 6.1 million people. With numbers like this, it’s hard to understand why people try so desperately to keep it a secret.
The host of BOLD, LeGrande Green has suffered the ups and downs of bipolar disorder throughout his life. In this episode, he interviews Nellie Russell, the founder of “Bipolar Out Loud.” An advocate for wellness and compassionate healing, Nellie is leading a digital movement that promotes healthy living for healthy minds. “We all have to take responsibility for our own situations,” she says. “No doctor or partner or family member can do that for you.”
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings—from feeling overly “high” and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with long periods of normal mood in between. These severe changes in energy and behavior are often not recognized at first, as many people suffer for years before it is properly diagnosed and treated.
“It’s time to break the bonds of stigma. No one has to suffer in the shadows anymore.” Nellie’s website is www.bipolaroutloud.com. Join the conversation at www.getboldtoday.com
My mother, an artist, was bi-polar (or manic depressive as it was known back then.)