[Fire_Star]

This story made me sad and angry so was wondering on others' thoughts:

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshom...anatic-mother/

It angers me because:
1) This shows a person having an acute psychotic episode but instead of being in hospital, she's left to harm those around her instead of being offered help
2) Yet another story that will make people go, 'They're all crazy' as it lacks information about MI and doesn't link to anywhere people can learn about bipolar

It's a short article so of course it won't give enough info so people will make assumptions. But do you find the media just adds to the stigma?

[FLWRCHILD78]

I'm bipolar and a mother, I suffered a mild psychotic breakdown and knew enough to get my child somewhere safe and to isolate myself until I could calm down. The fact that social workers had been there that day and KNEW something was wrong but did nothing is unreal. I am sad and angry for the same reasons, the way the article ends by her stating "I was acting bipolar" does nothing good for those of us that are bipolar and stable. The media needs a story so what better way than to rile up people making everyone think that if a mom is bipolar now she's a baby killer, or if you're religious and bipolar you're double whammied based on this article. It's because of things like this that I am afraid to tell my own friends and family that I am bipolar for fear of what they'll think...So am I now feeding into the stigma by not talking about it?

[Fire_Star]

Originally Posted by FLWRCHILD78

It's because of things like this that I am afraid to tell my own friends and family that I am bipolar for fear of what they'll think...So am I now feeding into the stigma by not talking about it?

I'm in the same boat. I haven't told anyone in my family and only really close friends that I knew would 'get it' as they were putting up with my behaviour for a few years.

But I feel like I'm feeding the stigma by not discussing it openly. But it still seems more risky to share it - too many relationships, career and other things get more complicated so that's why I still keep my mouth shut. :/ I'd really rather not have to though!

This story saddens me because the mother wasn't getting the help that she clearly needed, and as a result an innocent child was killed. I hope that this woman will be getting help for her MI now...I hope they don't plan on putting her in jail. :/ That wouldn't help her much at all.

Plus the stigma...when we hear of these stories most people don't want to hear about whether or not there's an illness behind it...immediately they are labelled "crazy criminals", in this article, a "religious fanatic". During my manic episodes, my delusions center around religion, and it would really hurt my feelings to be called a "religious fanatic". Sadly, I know some people who would. There just isn't enough knowledge in the world about mental illness in general.

[BlackPup]

It is tragic that the child died, it is tragic that the social security and mental health people were not able to prevent it. But the way that the "news" is reported is deliberately aimed at making people think that BP, crazy and religious people are a danger to their children...
About the stigma,
I am careful about who I tell, but I do tell lots of people, including my work. As far as I am concerned it is part of who I am, it has good parts and bad parts so you either like it or leave it. If someone is going to react badly to knowing that I have BP, then they are not worth bothering over.
I do worry about what will happen when I have kids, but I will try to make sure I have adequate support to call on if things get rough.
on the religion thing, I believe in God regardless of my mood, so if it's a delusion, then I'm deluded all the time

[maryjain lockhart]

About the stigma,
I am careful about who I tell, but I do tell lots of people, including my work. As far as I am concerned it is part of who I am, it has good parts and bad parts so you either like it or leave it. If someone is going to react badly to knowing that I have BP, then they are not worth bothering over.
I do worry about what will happen when I have kids, but I will try to make sure I have adequate support to call on if things get rough.
on the religion thing, I believe in God regardless of my mood, so if it's a delusion, then I'm deluded all the time [/QUOTE]
I have told a lot of ppl I'm bipolar&noone has called me "crazy" or acted like I'm weird. One person actually said that everybody's bipolar so why should I take anything for it. I don't talk to them anymore. Its sad that this poor woman wasn't able to get the help she needed. Part of the reason I got help is cuz I want to be a mother someday but after my BP1 is under control.

[StarryNight]

So, this is how neurotic my brain is. Upon reading an article about a terrible tragedy that happened, I'm most upset about them printing "effective disorder" rather than "affective". How do these writers get jobs?

[bachir]

it's definitely a tragedy when anyone looses their lives at the hand of another, and even more so when it comes from their own parent. so sad. r.i.p. little one

i was only able to read the article given i have to use the computer at the library to access this for now thus no sound. as i saw it they were simply stating the facts as they presented themselves. what i found encouraging was something that was shared in the comments with the article.

there was an individual that stated it very well when he said that "generalizing is a friend to no man". i totally agree with this statement. he also shared in his article that if an athiest has done this does this mean all of them will do it? no, not by a long shot. the same holds true for those with bp or any other mental illness.

many people are very narrow minded, and would prefer to just generalize everyone of any particular illness, religion, or whatever as being solely being one particular way. in my humble opinion they don't have the courage to face such issues, and they most likely do this in many more areas of their own lives not only this one subject. what may be true for ONE individual does not classify or make everyone with the same issue the same. there are some similarities yes, but still not the same. it demonstrates to me a very shallow mind. they want to believe what they want to. that's their right although not a healthy perspective by far. i wish more people could see this rather than "following the crowd".

i could go on and on here as to my perspective on this matter. i would like to encourage you all to mindfully remember that not everyone is quick to make such judgements. i personally have no problem telling anyone that i have some mental illnesses or love God. if they don't like it that's their call. makes no difference to me cause the facts are what they are. generally if people are going to make their judgements on such issues are probably (ok are) better not to be around anyways. there are other people out there willing to deal with such issues, and be our friends. it's important to choose our friends carefully.

having a willingness to learn, understand and forgive (just to name a few) are some of the greatest gifts we have, and demonstrate tremendous inner strength in those that reach for them. take care and best wishes

StarryNight, me too. And the fact that they didn't even bother with research as simple as this shows their sloppy attitude towards accuracy. You know, why bother with research and producing material that is actually informative? Let's face it... because it's plain _easier_ to just sensationalize! Grrr.

Originally Posted by FLWRCHILD78

I am sad and angry for the same reasons, the way the article ends by her stating "I was acting bipolar" does nothing good for those of us that are bipolar and stable.

Yes, and that they ended with that (people tend to remember the last thing they heard) was probably no accident.

Originally Posted by Fire_Star

But I feel like I'm feeding the stigma by not discussing it openly. But it still seems more risky to share it - too many relationships, career and other things get more complicated so that's why I still keep my mouth shut. :/ I'd really rather not have to though!

Me too. Working on it, but in some realms, I just don't feel in a good enough position to even test it. (Like... it's hard enough for me to get a job, they've always been low paying and at places where there's no such thing as HR or FMLA. Don't want to hand them ammo. Can't afford to.)

Originally Posted by ohseedee

Plus the stigma...when we hear of these stories most people don't want to hear about whether or not there's an illness behind it...immediately they are labelled "crazy criminals"...

And even if they do, they don't bother with pointing out that such behavior is NOT typical of said illness. It just feeds into popular misconceptions. It's _popular_ and _far_ easier. Who is going to object? Oh them? They're *crazy*! Hmm... how convenient for their laziness!

Originally Posted by BlackPup

But the way that the "news" is reported is deliberately aimed at making people think that BP,... people are a danger to their children...

Yeah. I think it's deliberate too. Deliberate in how things are presented for maximum sensationalism. Combine that with just plain laziness and ignorance and you get news that isn't news.

It's a sad story for sure, on so many counts.

[lynn P.]

Yes this is a very sad story and I'm sorry her baby died. I agree the article isn't well written and I didn't like how they quoted her as saying "I got bipolar". I wonder was she officially diagnosed as having bipolar illness? There are many bipolar people and mothers who would never do this and are very good mothers. I bet this woman suffered from 'postpartum psychosis' which is a severe form of postpartum depression. Was she officially a bipolar patient?

[StarryNight]

To "somewhere": Beautifully said.