,100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT BIPOLAR (MANIC-DEPRESSIVE) DISORDER
100. Where can I find out more
information about bipolar disorder?
It is not possible to discuss all aspects of bipolar disor-
Surviving
der in one small volume. In Appendix A that follows
there is information on organizations, websites, and
publications that can be useful to patients with bipolar
disorder and their families.
219
, 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT BIPOLAR (MANIC-DEPRESSIVE) DISORDER
way of caring for the mentally ill occurs, it remains the
current system of care. For this reason you must ensure
the highest level of support is obtained in the commu-
nity in order to achieve the highest level of success.
Toward that end, the local chapter of NAMI often
becomes a repository for resource acquisition, and you
should call upon it immediately to know what is avail-
able in your community.
99. What is NAMI? How can they help?
NAMI is an acronym for the National Alliance for the
Mentally Ill, an advocacy group made up predomi-
nantly of family members of patients and patients
themselves suffering from mental illness. As its mis-
sion statement reports: “NAMI is dedicated to the
eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement
of the quality of life of all those whose lives are
affected by these diseases.” From its inception in 1979
NAMI has worked very hard to advocate for the men-
tally ill in order to achieve equitable services and treat-
ment for more than fifteen million patients and their
families in need. It is an all-volunteer organization
with more than a thousand local chapters in all fifty
states that provides education to consumers and the
community, lobby for increased research, and provides
advocacy for health insurance, housing, rehabilitation,
and jobs for those struggling with mental illness.
As each community has unique characteristics and
needs, each chapter serves to meet these needs on
an individual community basis. There is a website,
www.nami.org, that can provide further information
and resources for those interested in becoming
involved in their local chapters.
218
, 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT BIPOLAR (MANIC-DEPRESSIVE) DISORDER
know about the medications and their side effects,
names of the health care providers and how to contact
them, and even attend some appointments together.
Openness in communication is imperative. Bipolar
Surviving
disorder should be treated as you would treat any other
medical condition. That means while a certain amount
of respect for privacy should be maintained, issues of
health, disability, or safety involve the whole family.
Avoid health care providers who are unwilling to talk
to family members and who hide under the old guise
of psychotherapeutic privilege. This approach may be
fine for the “worried well” patients, but for patients
suffering from bipolar disorder it is generally the
wrong approach to take. Family therapy can be useful
toward that end. Getting involved with the local chap-
ter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
(NAMI) to improve the support system available is
also recommended.
Long-term hospitalization, for all intents and pur-
poses, no longer exists, particularly for patients suffer-
ing from bipolar disorder. The seriously mentally ill
have been increasingly cared for, supported, and
treated in the community, with brief crisis hospitaliza-
tions occurring at local hospitals. The average length
of stay, depending upon the geographic region, ranges
from three to fourteen days with better than 90% of
discharges occurring within the first five to seven days.
The purpose of these hospitalizations is primarily to
reduce the risk of dangerousness or disability to a level
that can generally be managed safely in the commu-
nity. For most family members, this is generally a frus-
trating experience because their loved ones are usually
still symptomatic. While you may disagree with the
many ethical, social, and economic reasons for why this
217
100. Where can I find out more
information about bipolar disorder?
It is not possible to discuss all aspects of bipolar disor-
Surviving
der in one small volume. In Appendix A that follows
there is information on organizations, websites, and
publications that can be useful to patients with bipolar
disorder and their families.
219
, 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT BIPOLAR (MANIC-DEPRESSIVE) DISORDER
way of caring for the mentally ill occurs, it remains the
current system of care. For this reason you must ensure
the highest level of support is obtained in the commu-
nity in order to achieve the highest level of success.
Toward that end, the local chapter of NAMI often
becomes a repository for resource acquisition, and you
should call upon it immediately to know what is avail-
able in your community.
99. What is NAMI? How can they help?
NAMI is an acronym for the National Alliance for the
Mentally Ill, an advocacy group made up predomi-
nantly of family members of patients and patients
themselves suffering from mental illness. As its mis-
sion statement reports: “NAMI is dedicated to the
eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement
of the quality of life of all those whose lives are
affected by these diseases.” From its inception in 1979
NAMI has worked very hard to advocate for the men-
tally ill in order to achieve equitable services and treat-
ment for more than fifteen million patients and their
families in need. It is an all-volunteer organization
with more than a thousand local chapters in all fifty
states that provides education to consumers and the
community, lobby for increased research, and provides
advocacy for health insurance, housing, rehabilitation,
and jobs for those struggling with mental illness.
As each community has unique characteristics and
needs, each chapter serves to meet these needs on
an individual community basis. There is a website,
www.nami.org, that can provide further information
and resources for those interested in becoming
involved in their local chapters.
218
, 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT BIPOLAR (MANIC-DEPRESSIVE) DISORDER
know about the medications and their side effects,
names of the health care providers and how to contact
them, and even attend some appointments together.
Openness in communication is imperative. Bipolar
Surviving
disorder should be treated as you would treat any other
medical condition. That means while a certain amount
of respect for privacy should be maintained, issues of
health, disability, or safety involve the whole family.
Avoid health care providers who are unwilling to talk
to family members and who hide under the old guise
of psychotherapeutic privilege. This approach may be
fine for the “worried well” patients, but for patients
suffering from bipolar disorder it is generally the
wrong approach to take. Family therapy can be useful
toward that end. Getting involved with the local chap-
ter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
(NAMI) to improve the support system available is
also recommended.
Long-term hospitalization, for all intents and pur-
poses, no longer exists, particularly for patients suffer-
ing from bipolar disorder. The seriously mentally ill
have been increasingly cared for, supported, and
treated in the community, with brief crisis hospitaliza-
tions occurring at local hospitals. The average length
of stay, depending upon the geographic region, ranges
from three to fourteen days with better than 90% of
discharges occurring within the first five to seven days.
The purpose of these hospitalizations is primarily to
reduce the risk of dangerousness or disability to a level
that can generally be managed safely in the commu-
nity. For most family members, this is generally a frus-
trating experience because their loved ones are usually
still symptomatic. While you may disagree with the
many ethical, social, and economic reasons for why this
217
