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Saturday is National Bipolar Awareness Day, it aims to shine the spotlight on this serious mental health condition.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) has called for increased public awareness around Bipolar Disorder to address ongoing stigma.
The call coincides with World Bipolar Day and aims to highlight the impact of the condition, which is characterised by extreme mood swings, including manic and depressive episodes.
SADAG says stigma surrounding the condition can affect individuals’ confidence and well-being.
SADAG KwaZulu-Natal call centre supervisor Anne Rajcoomar says the unpredictability of the condition makes it difficult for those affected.
“It is very stigmatised and it is creating in them a lack of confidence because you can’t predict the mania or the manic episodes and you can’t predict how severe the low episodes are going to be. So for them, when people try to box them in by, you know, spouting a diagnosis, it can be very damaging,” said Rajcoomar.
She adds: “They think about suicidal behaviours, they think, have suicidal tendencies, ideation, and we don’t want them then acting upon those behaviours.”
SADAG says improving understanding of Bipolar Disorder is important in supporting those affected and reducing the risks associated with the condition.
Technology to help identify depression and anxiety:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yxTz8HETyM
