More than 1 million South Africans are living with Bipolar Disorder, It is the 3rd most researched topic on The South African Depression and Anxiety Group's (SADAG) website. Then why is it still then so stigmatized?

In South Africa, a lack of knowledge about Bipolar Disorder is coupled by the spread of inaccurate and often harmful information about the condition.

It is this stigma that SADAG works very hard to minimise, while helping thousands of patients with bipolar through its support programmes and counselling lines.

Bipolar Disorder is a chronic illness and treatment is usually life-long but it can be managed with the right medication, psychotherapy, and support from friends and family. Bipolar is a mood disorder that is associated with Manic and Depressive episodes.

We can only de-stigmatise the disorder by talking openly about it, and by creating a safe space for people who have Bipolar to speak out and seek help.

For this reason SADAG will be extending their Bipolar Awareness campaign by hosting a free BIPOLAR AWARENESS FACEBOOK FRIDAY LIVE ONLINE CHAT on our Facebook page (The South African Depression and Anxiety Group).

It will be on the 7th June at 1pm with Psychiatrist Dr. Motlana , then in the evening Psychiatrist Dr. Zilesnick at 7 pm to answer all your questions regarding symptoms, medication, treatment plans, and will explain how important support systems are for people who have mental health problems, such as Bipolar.

For those who are unfamiliar with Facebook, SADAG will have a button on the landing page of its website www.sadag.org/ that will take people directly to the Facebook chat page where they can connect with the experts.

SYMPTOMS OF BIPOLAR DISORDER

Two types of mood episodes occur in Bipolar Disorder, Manic high and Depressive episodes

SYMPTOMS OF A MANIC EPISODE ARE:

1. Needing little sleep yet having great amounts of energy,

2. Talking so fast that others can't follow your thinking,

3. Having racing thoughts,

4. Being easily distracted that your attention shift between many topics in just a few minutes,

5. Having an inflated feeling of power, greatness, or importance.

SYMPTOMS OF A DEPRESSIVE EPISODE ARE:

1. Feeling sad, blue, or down in the dumps,

2. Losing interest in things you normally enjoy,

3. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

4. Feeling slowed down or feeling too agitated to sit still

If you are unable to join us this Facebook Friday or feel that you need help more urgently, call the Astra Zeneca Bipolar Helpline– 0800 70 80 90 between 8am and 8pm 7days a week

For more information, please contact Meryl Da Costa on 082 978 3510 or Cassey Chambers on 011 262 6396 or 082 835 7650

Sapa