Bipolar Disorder and African Americans
Every person, regardless of race or ethnicity, should seek help
if they have a mental health problem or symptoms of a mental
disorder.
-- David Satcher, M.D., Former U.S. Surgeon General
An estimated 2.3 million Americans have bipolar disorder, also
called manic-depressive illness. A person with bipolar disorder can
go from feeling very, very high (called mania) to feeling very,
very low (depression). With proper treatment, people can control
these mood swings and lead fulfilling lives. While the rate of
bipolar disorder is the same among African Americans as it is among
other Americans, African Americans are less likely to receive a
diagnosis and, therefore, treatment for this illness.
Most African Americans with bipolar disorder are going undiagnosed
and untreated. Several factors have contributed to African
Americans not receiving help for bipolar disorder and other mental
illnesses. Some of the reasons are:
Signs of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder often starts in the teen years, but can emerge
in later life. It is a potentially life-threatening illness that a
person cannot handle alone. Tragically, one of five people with
bipolar disorder commits suicide. The signs of bipolar disorder
include:
Mania
Depression
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
No one knows for certain what causes bipolar disorder. But its
causes may include:
Treatment
There is hope. People with bipolar disorder can be helped by
treatment. Treatment can include:
