Bipolar Disorder and African Americans

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.
Why are most African Americans with bipolar disorder 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:
- A mistrust of health professionals, based in part on historically higher-than-average institutionalization of African Americans with mental illness; and on previous mistreatments, like such tragic events as the Tuskegee syphilis study.
- Cultural barriers between many doctors and their patients.
- Reliance on family and religious community, rather than mental health professionals, during times of emotional distress.
- A tendency to talk about physical problems, rather than discuss mental symptoms, or to mask symptoms with substance abuse or other medical conditions.
- Socioeconomic factors which can limit access to medical and mental health care. About 25 percent of African Americans do not have health insurance.
- Continued misunderstanding and stigma about mental illness.
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
- Excessive energy, restlessness, racing thoughts and rapid talking
- Denial that anything is wrong
- Extremely happy feelings
- Easily irritated
- Needing little sleep
- Unrealistic belief in one’s ability
- Poor judgment
- Sustained, unusual behavior
- Increased sex drive
- Substance abuse
- Aggressive behavior
- Paranoia
Depression
- Poor appetite or eating too much
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Nervousness and worry
- Loss of interest in and withdrawal from usual activities
- Feelings of sadness that don’t go away
- Irritability or restlessness
- Lack of energy
- Feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt
- Inability to think or concentrate
- Repeated thoughts of death or suicide
- Chronic pain or other physical problems that don’t respond to treatment
- Increased risk-taking behavior, including reckless driving or substance abuse
No one knows for certain what causes bipolar disorder. But its causes may include:
- Brain chemistry – There are chemical changes or imbalances in the brain during both extremes of behavior (mania and depression).
- Genetics – Close relatives of people with bipolar disorder are 10 to 20 times more likely to get depression or bipolar disorder than other people.
- Drug and alcohol abuse - More than half of the people diagnosed with bipolar disorder have histories of substance abuse. In some cases, substance abuse precedes the development of the problem; in others, alcohol or other drugs may be used as a form of self-medication.
- Stressful or disturbing events – Both can cause mood swings
Bipolar disorder can be treated.
There is hope. People with bipolar disorder can be helped by treatment. Treatment can include:
- Medication – The doctor may recommend one or more medicines to find what works best.
- Counseling – Often, psychotherapy or other forms of counseling are used in combination with medication.
- Peer Support – The advice and support of others who have bipolar disorder can aid recovery.
- Complementary Care – Some people benefit from exercise, stress reduction classes and other activities to complement their treatment and help them manage their illness.
- ECT, or electroconvulsive therapy – This is used as a last resort to treat severe bouts of depression and suicidal thoughts. It’s only considered when medication and therapy haven’t worked.
If you think that you or someone you know has bipolar disorder, talk with your primary care physician or faith leader. However, only a mental health professional can tell if a person has bipolar disorder and properly treat it. Once in treatment, it is important that the person receive the support and understanding of friends and family. Many people also find strength and support through their religious and spiritual affiliations.
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Support Groups for Conditions, Bipolar, African Americans
Last Modified On: 12-02-2018 6:24 pm
This group provides support for family and friends of individuals with mental illness.
St. Joseph's Hospital/Breese
9515 Holy Cross Lane
Breese, IL 62230
Contact Information:
618-882-3306
sharon206@prodigy.net
Meeting Details
Meets: 2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Breese-Mater Dei Library, 900 Mater Dei Drive, Breese, IL 62230
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Last Modified On: 12-13-2019 6:14 pm
Depression Bipolar Support Alliance
907 Dock St
St Louis, MO 63147
Contact Information:
Helen or Sarah
314-652-6100
866-525-1442 Friendship Line
hminth@sbcglobal.net
Meeting Details
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Last Modified On: 12-02-2018 6:02 pm
Emotions Anonymous International Headquarters
P.O. Box 4245
St. Paul, MN 55104
Contact Information:
651-647-9712
Meeting Details
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Last Modified On: 10-21-2021 8:13 pm
Karla Smith Behavioral Health offers this support group for individuals and/or family members whose loved one experiences a mental health diagnosis.
Karla Smith Behavioral Health
200 North Lincoln
O'Fallon, IL 62269
Contact Information:
618-624-5771
Meeting Details
Meets: 1st Thursday of the month; 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Call or visit https://karlasmithbehavioralhealth.org/support-groups for additional information.
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Last Modified On: 02-24-2020 8:42 pm
NAMI St. Louis
1810 Craig Road #124
St. Louis, MO 63146
Contact Information:
HELP Line
314-962-4670
800-950-NAMI
info@namistl.org
Meeting Details
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Last Modified On: 12-02-2018 6:43 pm
A Christian support group committed to ministering to the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of individuals and families affected by mental illness. Within an atmosphere of acceptance, compassion, and empathy we offer relevant information, and trustworthy resources related to issues commonly associated with and experienced by those who have a loved one affected by a neurological disorder or a chemical imbalance. We provide a place to share one’s faith in God and one’s personal experiences as we walk a similar path alongside a family member, friend, or loved one living with a serious mental illness.
Central Presbyterian Church
7700 Davis Drive
St. Louis, MO 63105
Contact Information:
Pat Grace
grace1pat@sbcglobal.net
Meeting Details
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Last Modified On: 12-13-2019 6:18 pm
Recovery, International
Contact Information:
312-337-5661
866-221-0302
Meeting Details
Email Chuck at johnbeerg13@gmail.com for info about group meetings in St. Louis, Union and Ste. Genevieve, MO.
Visit recoveryinternational.org/meetings/find-a-meeting to locate groups and coordinators anywhere in the country.