Oh yes, the joy of stigma!

It amazes me how I can openly talk to friends and family about epilepsy and get a concerned, encouraging and supportive response but as soon as I mention bi-polar it's red faces, shuffling feet and embarrassment.

Many people in my circle of friends and family know as much about epilepsy as they do bi-polar (very little!) but somehow seem more comfortable discussing it openly.

In the UK mental health issues have always been confined to the institutions and only relatively recently has there been a push to educate and inform. However this information is confined to small flyers in doctors surgeries and pharmacies.

For as long as people see sufferers of mental disorders as 'nutters', 'wierdos', 'psychos' and 'crazies' there will, unfortunately, always be the embarrassment felt by those close to us.

It is up to us to talk, educate and inform..... but only when we feel like socialising!!

SD