CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Today, one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or

neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer

from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and

disability worldwide. The true prevalence of mental health disorders remains poorly understood.

We have this stigma surrounding these illnesses, even if there are so many respective figures

with mental disorder. You think that having a mental illness would you be widely be accepted?

One of the most known illness is Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading

cause of disability in the world. The prevalence of bipolar disorder across the world varies from

0.3 to 1.2 percent by country. Globally, an estimated 46 million people in

the world had bipolar disorder in 2017, with 52 and 48 percent being female and male,

respectively. Bipolar disorder is characterized by repeated (i.e. at least two) episodes in which

the patient’s mood and activity levels are significantly disturbed, this disturbance consisting on

some occasions of an elevation of mood and increased energy. And on others of a lowering of

mood such as prolong sadness, losing interest in pleasurable activities, social detachment and

decreased energy and activity. Characteristically, recovery is usually complete between episodes,

and the incidence in the two sexes is more nearly equal than in other mood disorders. As patients

who suffer only from repeated episodes of mania are comparatively rare, and resemble (in their
family history, premorbid personality, age of onset, and long-term prognosis) those who also

have at least occasional episodes of depression, such patients are classified as bipolar.

Series of ups and downs. There are two classifications of bipolar disorder. Bipolar I

disorder involves recurrent episodes of mania and depression. A reduced level of mania,

called hypomania, characterizes bipolar II disorder. The symptoms for hypomania are the same

as for mania, but they're less severe. When the patient is in a manic phase, symptoms of euphoria

and elation are common. Other symptoms of mania include overconfidence, hyper verbosity,

hyperactivity, irritability, poor judgment, hyper sexuality, physical aggression, and diminished

sleep and appetite. When the patient is in a depressive phase, feelings of worthlessness,

helplessness, and hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in people or activities

that usually bring pleasure, fatigue, sleep problems, somatic complaints, and suicidal thoughts

prevail. The length of the phases varies, lasting days or weeks. Certain people with bipolar

disorder are described as rapid cycling, as four or more mood swings in a single 12-month

period.

Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder

never seek help from a health professional. Stigma, discrimination and neglect prevent care and

treatment from reaching people with mental disorders, says the World Health Organization

(WHO). Where there is neglect, there is little or no understanding. Where there is no

understanding, there is neglect. Anyone with mental illness knows what stigma’s like and knows

what discrimination is like. Mental illness is not a personal failure. In fact, if there is failure, it is

to be found in the way we have responded to people with mental and brain disorders.

Proper knowledge and helpful ideas will be really helpful to know what this all about.

Once a diagnostic label is attached to the person, it becomes all too easy to accept the label as an
accurate description of the “Individual” rather than of the “Behavior”. It then becomes difficult

to look at the person’s behavior objectively, without preconceptions about how he or she will act.

It is also likely to affect how we will interact with that person. To fight stigma, it can be helpful

to educate and inform others. Once people understand more about this medical condition, they

will begin to see this realistically, rather than through the lens of their fears. Neither of these

things is easy, and they may challenge us. But combating stigma isn't an instant process, anyway

—it will take time. The more you feel you can do, the more it will help both you and everyone

else with bipolar or another form of mental illness.