Bipolar Awareness Day: Bipolar sufferers don’t need to feel isolated
JOHANNESBURG – Raising awareness on bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is a hidden societal problem, with many believing their fluctuating moods are part of life – and suffer for years without realising that help is available.
Read: Living with bipolar disorder: Managing your symptoms and staying balanced
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) will be hosting a number of events around the country to raise awareness and create conversations surrounding bipolar disorder, for Bipolar Awareness Day on 26 May.
Psychiatrist Dr Kim Laxton said, “Manic depression has been used as a clinical description of bipolar and related disorders that includes both ‘poles’ of the mood spectrum. These poles are depression which includes low mood, fatigue, sleep changes, ruminate negative thoughts, and mania which includes significantly increased energy, irritability, increased thought speed.”
While bipolar disorder can seem unpredictable, the symptoms and their impact can be managed with the help of medication, psychotherapy and psychosocial support systems. By joining a support group sufferers could can with others who have similar experiences and hence don’t feel that they are alone.
To learn more about the disorder, its symptoms, treatments available, possible relapse triggers, as well as self-help strategies, click here
Details: www.sadag.org
