Crystal Barnes

In this issue of The Know we talk Bipolar disorder.

Bipolar is a serious but a highly misunderstood disorder. It used to be referred to as Manic depression.

In 2003 it was reported that just under 100,000 of Australians were diagnosed with the disorder, with many more no doubt since then.

However, almost one third don’t receive any treatment.

It is a major form of depression which can lead to suicide and crazy behavior that can be taken out on the wrong people.

In this feature, I interview Dominique Sheehan, a bi-polar sufferer, and her partner James about how it effects both their lives.

I call up a consultant for Beyondblue and I also asked some Griffith students what they knew about bipolar.

Awareness is the key to acceptance and understanding, and I hope that you can walk away after listening to this feature with a little more knowledge and understanding on the life of someone with bipolar.