Erasing stigma through education. This is part of International Bipolar Foundation\u2019s (IBPF) mission, which it tackled head-on during its Women\u2019s Mental Health Lecture at Mission Valley Library on July 31.<\/p>\n
Founded in June 2007, the nonprofit \u2014 formerly known as California Bipolar Foundation \u2014 is currently based in Serra Mesa at 8775 Aero Drive. IBPF works to improve the lives of those living with bipolar disorder through research, care, education and support.<\/p>\n Bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness, is a \u201cbrain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy, activity levels, and the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks,\u201d according to National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It is characterized by states of manic \u201chighs\u201d and depressive \u201clows,\u201d which affected individuals shift between during episodes.<\/p>\n The euphoric highs may spark phases of extreme productivity and activity, often leading to \u201ccrashing\u201d or burnout, which may spiral into depression. During mania, symptoms may include increased energy, insomnia, impulsivity, recklessness, or irritability; depression can cause hopelessness, fatigue, apathy, appetite changes, or suicidal thoughts.<\/p>\n The magnitude and length of each episode, as well as the multitude of symptoms, widely varies \u2014 demonstrating that bipolar is not the same in every person, and that not every person\u2019s story is the same.<\/p>\n To illustrate that, three individuals \u2014 Claire Griffiths, Aubrey Good and Kitt O\u2019Malley \u2014 took to the floor at IBPF\u2019s July 31 event. Each panelist, all at various life stages, shared their personal journey living with the disorder.<\/p>\n Prior to finding out they had bipolar, all three women were misdiagnosed. This is partially due to the lack of research and understanding about bipolar compared to other mental illnesses. There is also a heavy stigma that those who have it are \u201ccrazy,\u201d even though approximately 5.7 million American adults (2.5 percent of the population) live with the disorder.<\/p>\n Though the average onset age is 25 years old, 17-year-old Griffiths began treatment for bipolar at age 13. After daily self-harm to cope with panic attacks, staying up all night \u201cwriting poems that resembled Edgar Allen Poe \u2014 which scared my parents,\u201d and other erratic behaviors, the diagnosis was a relief.<\/p>\n \u201cI was really happy to have that [diagnosis] \u2014 that was really good for me because I had a name to put to the strange things that were happening to me that I could not control,\u201d Griffiths said.<\/p>\n A bipolar diagnosis can help explain behaviors and mitigate symptoms affecting an individual, but the label is not always easy to swallow for others, such as 25-year-old Good. She didn\u2019t know much about the disorder except the negative portrayal commonly found in the media, turning to coping mechanisms of isolation and substance abuse.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know anybody with [bipolar] at the time,\u201d Good said, who was diagnosed at age 18. \u201c[I thought] this isn’t me. This is not my problem. I don\u2019t want to be talking about it \u2014 I\u2019ve seen the movies, I\u2019m not like that.\u201d<\/p>\n O\u2019Malley sought help after a suicidal breakdown while she was a freshman at UCLA studying biochemistry. She began her life-long relationship with therapy but wasn\u2019t correctly diagnosed until later in life.<\/p>\n After a varying career path in psychology, real estate and other fields, she recognized that her workaholic tendencies weren\u2019t a healthy fit for her hypomania. Eventually O\u2019Malley decided to quit the work force and write from home; she just released her first book \u201cBlogging for Bipolar Mental Health\u201d in April.<\/p>\n Due to her high expectations of herself \u2014 growing up, her parents always said she would \u201cgo to Harvard and become a doctor\u201d \u2014 she had a hard time reframing her life around her new illness. Though O\u2019Malley felt capable of parenting with depression, she thought her bipolar diagnosis made her unfit to be a mother.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a process of bereavement that you go through when you come to accept your diagnosis \u2014 living with a diagnosis \u2014 that your life might not be what you thought it would be, but it doesn\u2019t mean that your life doesn\u2019t have purpose, or that you\u2019re not worthwhile, or that you aren\u2019t worthy of being loved or being loving,\u201d O\u2019Malley said.<\/p>\n Once correctly diagnosed, Griffiths, Good and O\u2019Malley had to learn to manage their chronic illness using prescribed medication and therapy. They also said that moderate exercise, eating well, online support, and getting feedback from loved ones helps them handle their symptoms, as well as side effects of medication.<\/p>\n Despite Griffiths\u2019 compliance with medication and therapy, things started to get worse, eventually leading to her attempting suicide as a teenager. After multiple hospitalizations, she tried electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in patients to provide relief, which is a seen as a controversial approach by some.<\/p>\n \u201cECT has a really bad reputation because of how it\u2019s portrayed in movies and TV shows \u2014 which is not how it\u2019s actually done, which is good,\u201d Griffiths said. \u201cBut we were willing to try anything \u2026 It helped. It saved me from that depression.\u201d<\/p>\n Additionally, the women said that being honest with others about their bipolar diagnosis has helped them through the acceptance process.<\/p>\n \u201cThere were times in my life that I had a fa\u00e7ade that I hid behind \u2014 even now, I look a lot better than my mind might be because I have certain skills,\u201d O\u2019Malley said. \u201cIn fact, that\u2019s one of the reasons that I like to speak out \u2014 because I like to challenge people\u2019s assumptions. Look, I have a mental illness. Am I scary? No.\u201d<\/p>\n Good, who is now IBPF\u2019s social media and program coordinator, said she is thankful for a work environment where she is able to disclose her illness and her mood shifts to her boss. However, she acknowledged not everyone has the same opportunity and hopes that speaking openly about it may change future circumstances for others.<\/p>\n While Good stressed that bipolar does impact her day-to-day life, she doesn\u2019t let it define her.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though I have bipolar disorder, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m different from anybody,\u201d Good said. \u201cI think my range of emotions has a different depth than you \u2014 or for those of you who have bipolar, it\u2019s similar \u2014 but other than that I live a happy, successful life.\u201d<\/p>\n As an IBPF ambassador, Griffiths speaks at various events, including one on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. She will also be hosting a TED Talk at North Coast Repertory Theater in Solana Beach on Aug. 25. Griffiths sees her bipolar diagnosis and her ability to share it with others as a strength.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m happy and I\u2019m bipolar and that\u2019s a good thing \u2014 because that\u2019s what made me who I am today. And I\u2019m thankful for every day,\u201d Griffiths said.<\/p>\n In addition to July\u2019s lecture at Mission Valley Library, IBPF hosts other local events to educate the public and support those affected by the disorder. On Sept. 9, IBPF will partner with Aloha San Diego for The Aloha Run\/Walk 5K and 10K at Tecolote Shores Park from 7\u201310 a.m. Interested participants are encouraged to register online at bit.ly\/ibpf-run<\/a>.<\/p>\n To learn more about bipolar disorder, IBPF or the organization\u2019s upcoming events, visit ibpf.org<\/a>. View the full panel discussion at bit.ly\/ibpf-panel<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Shining](\"https:\/\/missionvalleynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Aubrey-Good.jpg\")
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