Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder: Robin Williams' Struggle with Mental Health

First Posted: Aug 14, 2014 05:18 PM EDT
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About 6 million American adults are currently living with bipolar disorder--a mental illness that's characterized by unusual shifts in mood and energy that can change drastically throughout a single day, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. With the debilitating ups and downs of the disease comes depression, damaged relationships and an increased risk of suicide.

The tragic and untimely death of comedian and actor Robin Williams has brought this mental health issue into the limelight.

Beneath the façade of so many seemingly functional and happy celebrities (and averages Joes, alike) are debilitating psychiatric disorders with no known cure. Certain stigmas still surround many mental health issues as well as availability for treatments, including psychoactive therapy, medication and affordable options that could be the difference between life and death for some.

Diagnosing bipolar disorder isn't so simple, according to health officials. Symptoms of the health issue may often surface during the late teenage years or early adulthood, with close to half of all reported cases beginning before the age of 25.

Health officials may typically look for extreme mood episodes where an individual's state of mind is noticeably different throughout the day. These are classified between manic and depressive states.

A manic episode may show some or all of the following symptoms: unusually long periods of euphoria, rapid speech, extreme energy, unrealistic belief about ability to complete tasks, difficulty sleeping and/or extreme irritability. Depressive episodes, on the other hand, may include long periods of self-loathing, loss of interest in fun or regular activities, indecisiveness, inability to focus and potential contemplation of death or suicide.

A bipolar person will usually experience distinctive manic and depressive episodes for certain separate periods of time, but separate mood episodes can last anywhere for a few hours to months.

There are also different types of bipolar disorder that range in severity, including Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymic disorder, Mixed bipolar and Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder.

Substance abuse is commonly seen in most types of bipolar disorder, and self-harm can also be a symptom of this mental health issue. Statistics also show that an estimated 17-19 percent of patients with bipolar disorder are at an increased risk for suicide.

As scientists continue to study the inner-workings of depression, bipolar disorder and the element of creativity that oftentimes accompanies some mental illnesses, a past look shows other entertainers who struggled with their demons. Some modern comedian's have also attempted suicide, including including Richard Pryor, Richard Jeni and Artie Lange - with Jeni succeeding.

Many throughout Hollywood also openly struggle with similar mental health issues, including Catherine Zeta Jones, who is very outspoken about her struggles with bipolar disorder.

If you or someone you know struggles with a mental health issue, don't wait. Get help now. 

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