16/10/2017
Bipolar Disorder is not easy to understand; the roller coaster of extreme emotions; the racing thoughts; the lapses of judgment and the ensuing devastating consequences.
Bipolar Disorder is a medical condition. A serious MEDICAL condition.
Dealing with a serious medical condition is difficult enough in itself without ALSO having to put up with being cyberbullied, ridiculed, humiliated and stigmatized as a result of ignorance and insensitivity.
You who shared those posts. You who laughed and made jokes. You who reveled in the salacious details. Unacceptable!
Please be mindful in the things you post. Here are some things to think about:
Lesson 1:
1 in 4 (one in four) of us will be affected by a mental disorder during the course of our lifetime.
So if you are reading this, either you or someone very close to you could be dealing with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, epilepsy, autism or a whole host of other illnesses that fall under the very broad umbrella of "mental disorders".
THINK before you mindlessly comment about someone with a mental disorder. It could easily be someone you love.
EDUCATE yourself so that you don't continue to perpetuate the stigma of mental illness.
If you must comment on someone's illness, communicate RESPECTFULLY and EMPATHETICALLY. We are all children of God, deserving of respect.
Lesson 2:
She is a daughter, a sister, a friend, an entrepreneur, and a mental health advocate. She is brilliant, creative, resourceful, spontaneous and beautiful in body and soul. She also happens to suffer from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is her medical diagnosis. But bipolar disorder does NOT define her. She is much more than that.
Please stop referring to her as "mad" or "that mad girl". It is a derogatory label. (And yes we need to change the wording in Ghana law regarding people who suffer from a mental illness. Idiot, imbecile etc are no better!)
How would you feel if someone labeled you on social media based on your medical diagnosis? E.g. "that erectile dysfunction or priapsm man" or "that lady with gonorrhea"?
Do you see the stigma I'm trying to point out? But we deem it okay to do that to a person with mental health issues??
If at all its your business to talk about her, then please call her by her name. And if you must refer to her condition then refer to her as "a person living with bipolar disorder."
Please share this post and tag a journalist.
Thanks for reading.
(Written by Aba Andah)
