[fiberowendy2000]

Now this is a topic that has been rumbling in my head for days now as I watch the media run over and over again this trainwreck happening.
Is all this media play giving us with BP a bad name because of her manic behavior or is she? Or is it both?
Questions, comments queries?

[bizi]

I have not been watching it much but it seems like it would be a combination of both.
hi wendy!
bizi

i don't think the situation is any reflection of people suffering with mental/emotional/physical illness.

if anything, it is a witness to the destruction of an unhealthy lifestyle ~ children that grow up to fast ~ broken families ~ lack of education ~ etc.. etc...

[Alffe]

It's the media....they have to make a three ring circus of everything. ~sigh

[Mari]

I think she got set off by having two babies very close together. She might not even exactly have bipolar. If I were to guess, she started with a kind of Postnatal psychosis:

She has a few of these symptoms -- my guess anyway because I am not there:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postnatal_depression

Symptoms of PNP can include:
-Feelings of being ordered by God or a power outside of oneself to do things one would not normally do, like harming oneself or the baby

-Feelings of intense confusion or agitation

-Seeing or hearing things that others don't

-Extreme highs or extreme lows of energy or mood

-Inability to take care of the baby

-Experiencing thoughts and feelings as being out of one's control

-Memory lapses (periods of confusion similar to amnesia)

-Random or uncontrollable anxiety attacks

-Unintelligible speech or communication

Psychosis can also take place in combination with an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, or undiagnosed depression. In some women, a postnatal psychosis is the only psychotic episode they will ever experience, but, for others, it is just the first indication of a psychiatric disorder. Only 1 to 2 women per 1,000 births (.1% to .2% of births) develop postnatal

Her seeming inability to take care of her babies -- even with hired help -- does not seem to be a bipolar symptom by itself.

She calls the photographers before she goes out in her car at night. She wants them surrounding her for some reason.

I don't see how she gives anybody a bad name.

She is educating some people a bit.

Mari

[highhatsize]

I think that it is a shame that the media is exploiting an obviously ill young woman, but I think that putting the concept of bipolar disorder before a mass market can only be good.

[befuddled2]

I think it could be a good thing also. She could be an advocate one day.

befuddled2

[mymorgy]

I agree that making the public more aware of the symptoms of bipolar is for the general good. I am sure I have read that something like most bipolars go aren't given the proper diagnosis and left in the dark. I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my fifties. You can imagine how much I beat myself up about my symptoms and calling them personality flaws. It was only through the internet that I learned there was the bipolar II diagnosis. Of course I knew about manic depression but only bipolar I which I didn't fit.
I feel sorry for her...the pain she must be going through. Maybe this will finally have a good outcome for her if she is bipolar.
Bobby

[Vowel Lady]

What an interesting question.
I have noticed that at least in the mainstream media, no one is using the word "bipolar." However, folks are now using the word "manic."
I do think that many folks within the population are not sure what this word means/implies. Some might realize that it can be a part of mental illness, but unless the specific word "bipolar" is attached to it, it wont necessarily "click."
However, if you have a family member or friend or if you yourself are bipolar, of course you will be very familiar with the word "manic" and sensitive to its use. For many folks the word "manic" goes hand in hand with bipolar illness. But again, not everyone would put the two together automatically.

I do see that her probable dx of bipolar is becoming more and more up for discussion. I think that there are many good sides to having the public aware of the difficulties of bipolar illness.

In terms of giving "bipolar" a bad name...my only criticism...would be that she is taking a long time to get and/or stay on her medication. However, she more than likely has a lot of trust issues to work through. I also think its been a little sicko the way the media has been ridiculing her and waiting for her next "inappropriate" move with baited breath.

I have been very concerned about Brittney, because although it is very hard (basically impossible) to say what is really going on, there are indications of mental illness and that she is troubled and hurting. Also, really no idication that she is getting good/consistent/real help. I hope and pray that she finds someone she trusts and gets the treatment she needs and is willing and able to take all the steps needed toward better/good health.

[mrsD]

I have seen so far, most of Ms. Spears' problems are induced by recreational drug abuse.

I don't see how anyone can consume what she has been doing and appear normal.

After she dries out, if ever, then more rational thought can be done to evaluate her. Whether she has Bipolar in fact, or perhaps just a nasty mix of personality disorders, remains to be seen.