Have worked in law for way too long / SEO & Marketing / Content Creator / LawCare Volunteer / Psychotherapy Student
As a society we have progressed leaps and bounds with open dialogue and smashed taboos when it comes to neuro-diversity and ADHD but mental health is still rather hush hush isn't it? Functioning professionals with #bipolar have to constantly manage their days. Looking out for triggers, high or low emotions and navigate others' perceptions. Dr Thomas Richardson (Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology & CBT at the Uni of Southampton) has bipolar and clearly knew his triggers as although deemed "stable" only a week ago (see his post attached) today he is in hospital as having a manic episode. You can unpack that as you will, and mostly it's bottom line costs for some. Prevention is cheaper than the cure. Sadly it's always about money and leadership (ie power). When I asked my youngest child (14) what they thought bipolar was, they responded that it was like being two people. We discussed the difference between schizophrenia and bipolar with the former being psychosis (thought disorder), and the latter being extreme mood swings (mood disorder). The conversation quickly descended into psychopathy. It just highlighted to me the lack of awareness for so many (including my own family) about what bipolar is. I was diagnosed with Bipolar in 2012 (or around then, it was a blur). I have extreme moods. Gregg Wallace will probably assume that I'm a middle class woman of a certain age and therefore am prone to moods 🙄 My depression leaves me powerless. It's a black dog that wants to take me away from this world. It supersedes all love. It's hard to stay alive. I have children who love and need me. I have to exist. My mania is fun for me yet terrifying for others. I can get work done in the blink of an eye, it's kryptonite. Bipolar UK is a small, yet effective charity working so hard for the thousands of us who live and work amongst you all to support, speak up and work with researchers. Bipolar UK estimated that at least 800 people with bipolar take their lives everyday. 90% of us with bipolar have told our employers about the condition, but 24% of us regretted telling them. 1.3 million people in the UK have bipolar. That's one in 50. There is a HUGE overlap with those who have bipolar and those with #ADHD As a matter of fact, one in six with bipolar have ADHD, and one in 13 with ADHD have bipolar..... Tagging in some of those on #linkedin who may (or may not!) find this post of interest. Chrissie Wolfe Jodie Hill Helen Burness Darren Hiscutt Stephanie Camilleri AAC ACC Natasha Khalique Alexia Hetzel Leanne Maskell Annie Little, JD, PCC Thanks for all you do Simon Kitchen Tania Gergel Dr Talen Wright and the whole support community at Bipolar UK. If you work in the legal profession, PLEASE don't forget that LawCare - the mental health charity for the legal sector are here for you too.
I'm Bipolar & recently requested a referral to an NHS mental health team. It was rejected because I was stable. Unfortunately this is the case for many people with Bipolar in the UK. Our reports with Bipolar UK showed this episodic care approach is common: https://t.co/v1OnpG6I3P Its also completely cost inefficient (inpatient stays cost way more than outpatient treatment), unethical (we wouldn't let someone with diabetes go without insulin until they are hospitalized, but this is what happens with Bipolar). Psychological therapies half the risk of relapse, yet only 1 in 5 in UK have been offered group based psychoeducation. The situation is absurd. The NHS needs to help prevent people relapsing, not just treating them when they do. We must do better! #Bipolar #Bipolarclub #BipolarFamily #NHS
That is so interesting, thank you so much for sharing. I'm going to do some more reading! If you ever need to chat, please reach out. You are such an amazing person and making such a difference in the world 😺.
Amy Bell
1w
Thank you so much for sharing this Elaine Pasini MCIM ✍🏻⚖️. As you know my early life was affected by what little understanding and support there was for bipolar. Like ND, we need to talk openly about mental health. We need education and support, we need to normalise conversations about it.
Coach and Consultant | Founder of a boutique life design practice | Specialised in ADHD | Neurodiversity Advocate and Speaker | TEDx Speaker
2wMental health care, like much of Western medicine, still takes a reactive approach—only stepping in when things break or cause visible issues. This “firefighting” mindset isn’t enough and distorts how neurodiversity is seen. Most people with ADHD only get diagnosed when they struggle, while those whose lives align better with their traits may never be. This is why I’m so passionate about life design. It’s about prevention—staying balanced, managing triggers, and preparing for hyperfocus phases without neglecting self-care. These are skills medication doesn’t teach, and many professionals don’t address. Coaching fills that gap. I once met a manager who supported a bipolar employee by embracing their non-linear work style. He helped his team value their contributions without using the same ruler for everyone. Seeing that kind of effort, even from one person, is inspiring. People living in peaks and troughs need support wherever they are on their curve—and help to anticipate and manage the shifts. Thanks Elaine for shining a light on this important topic!