Patty duke is an academy award winning American actress of the stage and screen. She is also a bi polar disorder patient who has had manic attacks of bipolar disorder through out her life. Her symptoms have included a suicide attempt, drug abuse and anorexia. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, her career as an actress was affected and she became an activist for mental illness. She was diagnosed with the illness at the tender age of 17 but she has struggled with anxiety and depression throughout her career.
Patty Duke on Bi polar Disorder
In her many interviews, Patty Duke has talked about the struggles she has been faced as a bipolar disorder patient. According to her, every day was a surprise as she never knew what to expect from her mental illness. During the depressed episodes she would feel very lonely and would have extended crying fits, unable to get out of bed for long periods of time. The manic periods of her illness made her more energetic and impulsive but always with a feeling of apprehension. There were times when she was completely out of control of the things she did or the way she was thinking. She would beat her children and sometimes run around totally naked. Through it all she still had a successful career and was always ready at the time of acting.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder does not mean an end to your life. There are plenty of successful people who lead normal lives despite having bipolar disorder. Patty Duke is a prime example of such an individual.
There are plenty of medications on the market that can be prescribed to control the symptoms as well as behavioral therapies that help the patient lead a normal, productive life. There may be times when the illness will rear its ugly head but if the patient knows the signs that symptoms are increasing they can work with their doctor to modify the medication before an episode goes into full effect.
Medication, therapy and a good support system are very effective in relieving symptoms as well as keeping away the manic and depressive episodes that mark bipolar disorder. It is important that the patient and their support system be educated about the disorder, its treatments and how to avoid relapses to continue to lead a normal, productive life.
