In regards to my previous post with the annoying articleThis is the response I wrote to the editor of the publishing group and I copied it to the author of the article.Oh, the author claims to write for that BP forum...I could not find the article on the website. There was no contact information so I was unable to alert the webmaster.Dear Group Editor,
I am a writer and member of the Best Free Content Community. I am also a member of NAMI, DBSA, and a writer and advocate for mental health. I am very concerned about the content of the
above referenced article..
The stereotyping and reductionism of a biochemical disease such as Bipolar Disorder in this article, "Bipolar Imbalances And Hormones" by Pieternel Van Giersbergen, is offensive to Bipolar individuals and the mental health community.
The author's ignorance about the disease is clearly apparent in statements such as, "One thing bipolar patients have in common is that they take heavy medications, particularly antidepressants that have many side effects."- This is a huge generalization. Not every bipolar individual suffers from depression. As a matter of fact many bipolar individuals can not take antidepressants. Bipolar Disorder, it's symptoms, and treatments are as unique as the individual.
The entire argument about women going through hormonal changes and calling it bipolar is not reflected in any medical statistics or reports I read. Everything I read states the onset of Bipolar Disorder varies between the ages of 20- early 30's. Generally speaking, this is not when women are going through menopause.
Lastly, the writer suggests that if women were to just use some common sense, eat some chocolate, change their diet, and probably buy some of this hormone cream the writer is selling, they would not need to take the "easy way out" of a bipolar diagnosis".
If the hundreds of thousands of bipolar individuals found it as easy as this to alleviate debilitating symptoms, we would. Intellectual self-discerning individuals with independent thoughts.
Individuals who have read hundreds of Bipolar books to take on every symptom the best they can. Symptoms that are not simply treated with Prozac or Paxil; in six years I have never been on an anti-depressant nor would my doctor ever prescribe one for me.
These erroneous statements are simply offensive.
The author states this article is posted on Bipolardot.com. I do not see this article, nor any other article from this author on this website. Which does not surprise me as their articles are all written by advocates for mental health. I hope this is not a malicious attempt on the authors part to also appear to be an advocate for mental health.
The author also states that they are an ER Nurse. This article does not bode well for the recent rating of the United States Mental Health System. NAMI gave us a "D" average. This article is demonstrative of the level of understanding of mental illness in our emergency room's. It is not any better than that of an average American; filled with ignorance and stigma.
In today's world when organizations like the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill are launching campaigns such as Stigma Busters, writers and publishers are going be held much more accountable for the work they produce.
"NAMI StigmaBusters is a group of dedicated advocates across the country and around the world who seek to fight the inaccurate, hurtful representations of mental illness. Whether these images are found in TV, film, print, or other media, StigmaBusters speak out and challenge stereotypes in an effort to educate society about the reality of mental illness and the courageous struggles faced by consumers and families every day. StigmaBusters' goal is to break down the barriers of ignorance, prejudice, or unfair discrimination by promoting education, understanding, and respect.
Each month, close to 20,000 advocates receive the NAMI StigmaBusters Alert, and it is read by countless others around the world online and in mental health centers, hospitals, universities and elsewhere. Numbers do count, so let your voice be heard."
NAMI:StigmaBusters I hope that Best Free Content also wants to help "break down the barriers of ignorance".
Sincerely,
L.G. Larsen
Oh, the author claims to write for that BP forum...I could not find the article on the website. There was no contact information so I was unable to alert the webmaster.
Dear Group Editor,
I am a writer and member of the Best Free Content Community. I am also a member of NAMI, DBSA, and a writer and advocate for mental health. I am very concerned about the content of the
above referenced article..
The stereotyping and reductionism of a biochemical disease such as Bipolar Disorder in this article, "Bipolar Imbalances And Hormones" by Pieternel Van Giersbergen, is offensive to Bipolar individuals and the mental health community.
The author's ignorance about the disease is clearly apparent in statements such as, "One thing bipolar patients have in common is that they take heavy medications, particularly antidepressants that have many side effects."- This is a huge generalization. Not every bipolar individual suffers from depression. As a matter of fact many bipolar individuals can not take antidepressants. Bipolar Disorder, it's symptoms, and treatments are as unique as the individual.
The entire argument about women going through hormonal changes and calling it bipolar is not reflected in any medical statistics or reports I read. Everything I read states the onset of Bipolar Disorder varies between the ages of 20- early 30's. Generally speaking, this is not when women are going through menopause.
Lastly, the writer suggests that if women were to just use some common sense, eat some chocolate, change their diet, and probably buy some of this hormone cream the writer is selling, they would not need to take the "easy way out" of a bipolar diagnosis".
If the hundreds of thousands of bipolar individuals found it as easy as this to alleviate debilitating symptoms, we would. Intellectual self-discerning individuals with independent thoughts.
Individuals who have read hundreds of Bipolar books to take on every symptom the best they can. Symptoms that are not simply treated with Prozac or Paxil; in six years I have never been on an anti-depressant nor would my doctor ever prescribe one for me.
These erroneous statements are simply offensive.
The author states this article is posted on Bipolardot.com. I do not see this article, nor any other article from this author on this website. Which does not surprise me as their articles are all written by advocates for mental health. I hope this is not a malicious attempt on the authors part to also appear to be an advocate for mental health.
The author also states that they are an ER Nurse. This article does not bode well for the recent rating of the United States Mental Health System. NAMI gave us a "D" average. This article is demonstrative of the level of understanding of mental illness in our emergency room's. It is not any better than that of an average American; filled with ignorance and stigma.
In today's world when organizations like the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill are launching campaigns such as Stigma Busters, writers and publishers are going be held much more accountable for the work they produce.
"NAMI StigmaBusters is a group of dedicated advocates across the country and around the world who seek to fight the inaccurate, hurtful representations of mental illness. Whether these images are found in TV, film, print, or other media, StigmaBusters speak out and challenge stereotypes in an effort to educate society about the reality of mental illness and the courageous struggles faced by consumers and families every day. StigmaBusters' goal is to break down the barriers of ignorance, prejudice, or unfair discrimination by promoting education, understanding, and respect.
Each month, close to 20,000 advocates receive the NAMI StigmaBusters Alert, and it is read by countless others around the world online and in mental health centers, hospitals, universities and elsewhere. Numbers do count, so let your voice be heard."
NAMI:StigmaBusters
I hope that Best Free Content also wants to help "break down the barriers of ignorance".
Sincerely,
L.G. Larsen