Media Source depicting BiPolar Disorder

[ohanamama]

Have you been looking for a single source that shows the symptoms of BiPolar Disorder, struggles of diagnosis and impact on the family?  Last night's episode of Law and Order:Special Victim's Unit was absolutely amazing!  I have never read a book or pamphlet, heard a speaker or come across any single reference that single-handedly conveyed so many different impacts of the disorder.  It included the patient, her activities and how they lead to a diagnosis.  Her unwillingness, at first, to admitt to a problem.  Family members who couldn't accept a "crazy" person.  Extended family who had been considered "excentric" because 30 years ago, mood disorders weren't discussed.  Unwillingness to take medication because manic states were so "fun", and on meds, "your sole was taken away from you".  All very professionally done and very accurately depicted.  Can be watched for free on NBC.com in a day or so.  Can be purchased in a few months.  It was really on target!  If you have a family member or friend that "doesn't get it", have them watch this.  If they still don't, they never will!.

[irishwriter]

btw, my family impact is fairly nil, if you spoke to them they'd say 'she's in great form' even when i'm so down i can barely talk! 'there are none so blind as those who will not see" they also think that if one of my sisters dxd with major depression could 'just get out that rut and cheer up' she'd be fine! and no this is not the 1950's. lol

[irishwriter]

thanks for that. i get so fed up of shows that portray anyone with bipolar as completely 'mental' and unable to function in normal society at all without an aid or somthing! i look forward to seeing it. is it part of the new series which i think is due to start here shortly?

[ohanamama]

I do not know the episode title.  It ran on 27-January-09.  I looked up the NBC web site, and it is not yet listed (two weeks earlier is as close as it comes).  Strangely, SVU is one of the few shows not available on NBC for viewing on-line.  So, I've sent them an email to see if there is a way to make an exception for this one episode as it is so important for those of us with this wacky disorder.  I'll let you all know if I hear anything from them.

[hell1971]

Do you know what the episode was called ? does it have a title ?

Thanks

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes I would agree. I would like to watch that. I would also like to see portrayals of people with any psychiatric diability (including bipolar) who live in society and make a success out of themselves but are not "inspirational" or stereotypes like that. Also more to the point, I'd like to see celebrities and musicians who have bipolar make a public statement about it, not after their career is over but during it and just state that its a part of their life and that they function with treatment. I can think of some who have done that and that's made much of a difference as well.