Monday, 18 April 2011

• High-functioning crazies, represent!

  Catherine Zeta-Jones has come out as a diagnosed bipolar II.

  In sharing her experience, the actress put a very public face on a mental illness experienced by millions. The key indicator of bipolar II, experts say, is a cycle of high and low moods, often with episodes of depression.

  This is why more high-functioning loons like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Hugh Laurie, and Harrison Ford need to represent.  This is why I have elected to do so.  The taboo won't go away until we start treating these issues as a normal part of the human condition; as something that can be treated through the power of science.  Hopefully a day will come when the thought of 'toughing it out' as a means to cure a mental disorder will sound just as absurd as 'toughing it out' to cure diabetes or any other condition.

  On that note, mirrors have been normal for me since Saturday night.  I pretty much spent four hours curled up into a useless wad of teary joy (what I meant to say was that I reacted in a totally manly fashion and punched out the nearest person just for breathing because I'm tough and I never cry).  I'm still treating the reprieve as though it is only temporary.  No matter how long it lasts, I will probably always treat it that way.  But for the time being...mischief managed.  I don't feel fat, nor do I feel ugly.  I'm 29 and 2/3 years old and these are the first days of my life living with that mindset.  I'm not afraid to leave my house, and there's hope that I can be normal and happy.  It's...amazing.

  Thanks to "N" for the heads up on this.

   

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