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MENTAL ILLNESS NEEDN’T BE A LIFE SENTENCE.

David Westgate

Thriving with Bipolar

发布日期: 2019年11月25日

I was once speaking to a government department on behalf of the Black Dog Institute. At the end of the talk – and 20 minutes of tumultuous applause, or everyone immediately scurrying back to their offices, I forget which – a young woman approached me and said,

“I also have bipolar and the thing I liked best about your talk is that you are so old.”

I laughed because what she really was saying was, “You have bipolar just like me and you are still alive”.

My white hair, walking frame and inability to remember her name, even though she told me three times, had inspired her. Here she was, recently married, mortgaged and diagnosed with a fairly major mental illness and she thought this would be the template for the rest of her life.

I assured her that this would not necessarily be the case and the older she got the easier her mental health could be to manage.

In fact, in many cases of mental illness the news is even better, with some incidents simply one-offs and never to be relived. And even those that are more serious can at least be managed, and a good life lived.

You see, for many of us, a diagnosis is not the end of the road, it’s just the beginning. But the only way to get that diagnosis is by seeking professional help. So, if you’re not feeling well, DO SOMETHING. Find a GP who knows about mental health and get yourself back on the road to health.

Life’s too short not to.

Barton S.

Experienced people leader driving efficiency, performance and growth.

4 年

Mental health is not limited to any age, gender, job or personality. It’s is not a choice,it doesn’t discriminate and it’s manageable with appropriate medical treatment. It does not result in anyone being incapable, deficient or incompetent. It’s like we don’t look down on diabetics and think they will be less capable in the workplace. It’s prevalent because evolution can’t keep pace with the technology however there are other genetic reasons and just like any illness there is no obvious cause. I am glad David you are breaking down myths and stigmas because they are destructive if not enlightened. I will never forget when I had anxiety and needed time off the manager and HR called a health management meeting and whilst in the surface that seemed constructive when I was told it’s a hard job and will get tougher I was very offended as I was perfectly capable and stayed more years. That discussion seemed though to have more negative undertones by one party at least. The health management title was a very misleading title.