I+Hate+Being+Bipolar!+It's+Awesome

Student: Roisin Campbell-Starr Student Number: n8300976 Tutor: Katie Page


 * Original Topic: Green, Gold, and Blue: How Well does Australia deal with Mental Health in 2011? What is working, what isn’t, and what should be done**

The three above uniquely printed t-shirt slogans are creations from a Custom T-Shirt internet company called, zazzle. The three shirts show an array of “tag-lines”, that have been associated with mental health patients, in particular those suffering from bipolar disorder. These three prints shall be used to depict and discuss the issues arising within Australia’s Mental Health situation, with a strong focus on the medical condition bipolar disoder.
 * ARTEFACT**

Mental Health within Australia has taken a turn for the worse, with 45% of Australian’s reporting that they had suffered at least one mental illness. (Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2007). Of this 45% or 7.3 million people, 6.5% are suffering from mood disorders, including bipolar disease (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2010). Bipolar disease is a mood disorder or afferent disorder; it is presented with being one of the highest leading causes to suicide related deaths within mental health patients, with a staggering 10-20% taking their own lives (Goodwin & Ghaemi, 1998; MacKinnon, Jamison, & DePaulo, 1997).
 * PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE**

Mental health has been defined as //“the capacity of individuals to behave in ways that promote their emotional and social wellbeing”// (//National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, 2003//)//.// Mental health is a large category that incorporates multiple sub-categories and classifications. These sub-categories include substance abuse, anxiety disorders, mood disorders and many more. A mental disorder however implies that there is //“existence of a clinically recognisable set of symptoms and behaviours that cause distress to the individual and impair their ability to function as usual”// (ABS, 2008). Bipolar disorder or formally known as manic depression is categorised as an affective or mood disorder (Burton.L, Westen.D & Kowalski.R, 2009). Bipolar disorder has been associated as being one of the most debilitating of mental, physical, psychological and medical illnesses (Newberg.A, Catapanon.L, Zarate.C & Manji.H, 2008). Within our own society, Australia’s prevalence of bipolar disorder is 1.5%, which has been classified as a low range reading (Black Dog Institute, 2011). However the adverse effects of bipolar disorder are even greater being a mental health issue. As unemployment rates sore, those with a mental illness have a higher unemployment rate at 4.0% (ABS, 2010), effecting Australia’s economic status, families and communities. For those that suffer from bi-polar disorder there is a high rate of relapse and functional and psychosocial impairment and disability (Newberg.A, Catapanon.L, Zarate.C & Manji.H, 2008). Bipolar disorder is an afferent mood disorder, resulting in extreme highs and lows with their emotional state. Manic episodes of extreme exhilaration and depressive states affect 6.2% of people aged 16-85 years old (ABS, 2009-2010).When comparison states of manic and depression in bipolar patients, depression episodes are marked by emotions of sadness and hopelessness, in comparison to those emotions and feelings of euphoria and elation when dealing with manic episodes. In some cases manic episodes are worse than depressive episodes as patients feel ‘on top of the world’ and as if ‘they can do anything’ resulting in severe consequences (Hagop.S, 2004).
 * LITERATURE REVIEW**

Bipolar disorder, is an important issue within Australia and the World as statistics released from the Australian Institute for Health and Welfare, showed that in 1999, 5.1% of Australians, were suffering compared to results from 2007with 6.0% of people diagnosed. This is an alarming statistic as it has since risen to 6.5% in one year (2008) (ABS, 2008).The most current theory associated with bipolar disorder is a psychodynamic theory proposed by Bieling, Beck and Brown in 2000 (Burton.L, Westen.D & Kowalski.R, 2009). This theory consisted of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), which correlated the severity of depression within a patient and their risk of attempting suicide. The scale had a high and low category; those who rated highly had greater hopelessness and higher rates of suicide attempts or completion. Whereas those patients that rated within the lower category were not as severe in hopelessness and suicidal tendencies (Beck, Brown, 1990).

Bipolar disorder is a genetic predisposition illness therefore neurotransmitters, neruoendocrine and singling to the effected neurons in the body are the main form of therapy currently available, with the exception of medication (Newberg.A, Catapano.L, Zarate.C & Manji.H, 2008). Due to bipolar disorder being classified as a chronic illness, continuous treatment is a daily necessity. This is to prevent relapse of manic or depressive stages, continuous treatment is also needed to improve well-being and ones over quality of life (Torpy.J, 2009). Several types of medications are used when dealing with bipolar disorder. Antidepressants that decrease serotonin levels are used frequently with bipolar patients and those that also reduce norepinephrine levels (Burton.L, Westen.D & Kowalski.R, 2009), as these two hormones are the triggers for bipolar episodes. Many suffers need to combine medications to treat bipolar disorder as one type of medication can often not suffice (Lynm.C, 2009). When referring to medications for bipolar disorder women whom are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or nursing cannot used these prescribed medications (Torpy.J, 2009), making life exceptionally harder for those women and their partners. A warning from the National Institute of Mental Health has been published for all bipolar patients stating that all medications used to treat bipolar patients will have a side effect hence why medical practicians must be sited to evaluate ones personal situation for the best results. However in stating this, clinical research studies are currently underway for future development of “cures” and viable treatment options for those that suffer (National Institute of Mental Health, 2007).

In the 2007 Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being (SMHWB) showed that, one in five Australians aged between 16 and 85 had reported a mental illness. The second report partaken by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2008 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) identified that 238,957 people in Australia have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder (Australian Bipolar Schizoaffective Support network, 2008). Mental Illness will not only affect patients but friends, families and co-workers, therefore most people are somehow affected by mental illness, one way or another. A statement taken from the World Health Organisation in 2003 states that “//the effect of mental illness can be severe on the individuals and families concerned, and its influence is far-reaching for society as a whole,”// proving that mental health is not only affecting one society, but the world.
 * Cultural and Social Analysis**

The scope of the problem with strong evidence, shows that mental illness is now becoming a global issue, and awareness and information is the key (WHO, 2010). With further investigations being held there is to be a dramatic increase in mental health issues, if we do not seek, educate and investigate the problem it will riddle/plague our society and the world as we know it (WHO, 2008). Mental health is not an issue that should be swept under the rug. With multiple sub-categories, outcomes, inevitable life decisions and multiple loss of life each year, it is a topic that should be expressed and verbally spoken about. Psychosocial (speech therapy) rehabilitation programmes have been developed for bipolar suffers to help with recovery and treatment. Not only do these sessions help with recovery but they help patients “//lead more socially and personally satisfying lives”// (WHO, 2007).

Bipolar disorder is a genetically based disorder so therefore, no, people are not affected equally. A genetic predisposition within the family is likely to double or even triple an individual’s risk of acquiring an affective disorder**.** Those that are diagnosed with bipolar disorder have an 80-90% likely hood of it being genetic, from family history (Anderson, 1987). With staggering statics demonstrating that only one in four people received an accurate diagnosis, this needs to be rectified (WHO, 2000). The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) conducted a study in 2000 which outlined that people that are unaware they have bipolar can “cope” for 10 years before being accurately diagnosed. It has also been revealed that bipolar disorder shortens a person’s lifespan by 9.2 years (National Institute of Mental Health, 2010). You have an increased risk of developing Bipolar disorder if you are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; those living in rural communities and remote areas, people that are also suffering with a physical illness such as cardiovascular disease or cancer and diabetes (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1999). However the most staggering notion of bipolar disease is that it is more severe in veterans and defence personnel. As Australia is an aging population this is alarming and we should be aware of the consequences of bipolar disorder (ABS, 2007). All these risks however do not account for the genetic predisposition in which this disorder carries. This is why public health experts should focus on neurotransmission, genetic predispositions and environmental conditions to reduce the notion of dipolar disorder.

It represents the multitude of phases of manic bipolar disorder and the stages that each individual patient has to go through or what they are expected to experience, throughout their duration of their illness. Each individual t-shirt compromises of a familiarity of thought that bipolar patient will deal with. “I hate being bipolar! It’s awesome” and “Bipolar :):” both show the manic and depressive stages of bipolar, where as “I’m bipolar, are you, I’m not”, is somewhat underlying the same message; however confusion of the scattered mind is the main depiction. The three images depict the primary social identification of bipolar disorder and in some manner show a humorous side, to this depilating mental illness. Personally all three t-shirts are a representation of what each person deals with and it gives a sense of humanity to the issue. Mental health cannot be tip-toed around and these shirts point out the key issues and display real life situations.
 * Artefact**

AIHW 2010. Mental health services in Australia 2007-08. Mental health series no. 12. Cat. no. HSE 88. Canberra: AIHW [] AIHW 2008. Mental health services in Australia 2005-06. Mental health series no. 10. Cat. no. HSE 56. Canberra: AIHW. [] Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1997, Mental Health and Wellbeing: Profile of Adults, Australia, (4326.0). ( [] ) Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2004-05, National Health Survey: Summary of Results, (4364.0). ( [] ) Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007, Australian Demographic Statistics: (3101.0). ( [] ) Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007, National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing: Summary of Results, (4326.0). ( [] ) Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008, Deaths, Australia: (3302.0) ( [] ) Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2009-2010, Year Book Australia: (1301.0) ( [] ) Burton.L, Westen.D & Kowalski.R, 2009, Psychology 2nd edition Australian and New Zealand Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, ISBN: 9870470813478 Dennehy.S (2010) [Beck & Brown, 1989], Bipolar Disorder Assessment and Treatment, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, ISBN: 0763797650, 9780763797652 Goodwin & Ghaemi, 1998; MacKinnon, Jamison, & DePaulo, 1997, Bipolar Depression, American Psychiatric Publishing, Washington, DC and London, England ( [] ) Hagop. S (2004), Kaplan & Sadock’s Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, //Heterogeneity of Mood Disorders Affects, Moods, Temperaments, and Morbid Mood States Psychopathology (// [] ) Lynm, Cassio (04/02/2009). "Bipolar Disorder". //JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association//, 301 (5), p. 564 National Institute of Mental Health, 2007, //Bipolar Disorder,// U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, National Institutes of Health ( [] ) National Strategic Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (2003): Framework for action by Governments, NATSIHC, Canberra. ( [] ) Newberg, A. R., Catapano, L. A., Zarate, C. A., & Manji, H. K. (2008). Neurobiology of bipolar disorder.//Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 8//(1), 93-93-110. doi:10.1586/14737175.8.1.93 Torpy, Janet (2009). "Bipolar Disorder". //JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association//, 301 (5), p. 564. World Health Organisation, 2003, //Investing in Mental Health//. International Labour Organisation (ILO), //Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence Non-communicable Diseases and// Geneva: WHO
 * REFERENCES**

Black Dog Institute à [] International Bipolar Foundation à [] Australian Bipolar Schizoaffective Support Network à []
 * OTHER LINKS**


 * RESPONCES TO OTHER WIKI’S**

Generation Why Not?-Emily, n8281700 - Nice choice of artefact for your chosen topic. You have done in depth research into cannabis use within Generation Y, and showed that the prevalence of use is higher in males then females. I have to agree with your other comment, about some typos, but other than that well done.

who is it up too? us or them - Brady, n8331324 -Very good analysis of your artefact, as you have mentioned not only your heritage but also of those around you, Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people. A more in-depth analysis and statistical review, of which countries hold different values, would have been good, however over all well done.