Personal Reflections on Manic-Depressive Illness
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2008
- In this University of Virginia video, Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, psychiatry professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, shares her experiences with living every day with the mania and severe depression that she had studied for years. She talks openly of the challenges she faced with the treatment and disclosure of her mental illness.
Dr. Jamison did an excellent job in describing the debilitating experience of manic-depression as well as the impact of this mental illness on ones life, and I speak from personal experience. Dr. Jamison is also extremely fortunate to have had people in her personal and professional life who supported and protected her. Thus, allowing her experience to become a teaching tool, that most certainly can only help other suffers of this mental illness and the doctors who treat them. I applaud you, Kay Redfield Jamison for having the courage to open up and share your experience.
As a student of nursing at university I've struggled to complete my degree because of my bi-polar illness...I've also mostly kept my illness secret...this woman has inspired me...
Julie, I have to be honest, all of us knew you were bipolar, it was no secret
It is very common, among intellectuals, academics, creatives.
I can tell from your writing that you are taking care of yourself, Ethan. I know your family appreciates it too! Congratulations! My son has bipolar one, and he has always taken his medication...all of the seven years since his hospitalization. He has managed to keep full time work and is finally in an apartment. We are so proud for him!
13:30 and I'm crying uncontrollably. Thank you so much for this.
Best, most linear explanation of something wavy. EVER
I appreciate her courage and commitment. However, after years of coping with my bipolar though Lithium, I have successfully lived even better through meditation, nutrition, supplements and exercise along with therapy to heal the environmental causes. I am grateful for the stabilization Lithium provided, yet I'm also grateful for the advancement of science in the field of neuroplasticity. No medication, no symptoms of bipolar.
Thank you Dr Jamison for your awesome work, talks and book(s). You helped me to understand that there was life after hospitalisation, psychosis and medication. I now hold a great job and live a happy life!
She describes so eloquently how it feels to have this disease. She is courageous and a strong advocate to those suffering with the illness. Thank-you
Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison saved my life. I have an amazing wife a wonderful beautiful five-year-old daughter. I have a great career as an electrician. I just wish I could send her a letter appreciation but I'm sure she's too busy. Oh and of course I'm bipolar LOL.
Her explanation of how her chairman supported her brought me to tears. Lovely story.
And her description of resisting treatment goes a long way to helping me understand why some find it difficult stay on medication.
Thank you for this lecture!
A remarkable, brave and courageous woman who is to be admired for her tenacity in telling the truth at great risk to herself and her career. I am truly humbled by her!
Thank you so very much for explaining bipolar disorder so clearly. I am bipolar and I had my husband watch you so he could better understand what I feel. Also wanted to thank you for admitting to the world that you suffer from this illness. I admitted that I have it to my co-workers......all R.N.s like me and they began to talk about me behind my back and the nurse manager harassed me each day...literally in my face asking if I was ok daily. Finally I have went on short term disability to think
The way she talks about this awful disease is very empathic. That is the most important for me. She is in an unique position of being the 'ultimate' expert. Although the illnes comes in many shapes. Raising awareness the way she does can save lives.
I suffer from bi-polar disorder and I thank Research Channel for giving light to such a distressing issue. I have gone through psychosis multiple times and always wound up somewhere worse when I got back from it. All it takes is the right medication and the right frame of mind to keep a stable mood (and thoughts).
This is the story of my life, I wouldn't have been able to explain it any better and I love her for it!
Wow... how awfully brave to share her story. As a person with Bi-polar ... that level of disclosure is terrifying at best.
Amazing, thank you. My maternal grandmother was bipolar, and my mother had manic defenses. I've just started considering their behaviours, and my own coping strategies. So valuable to have people speaking from both sides of the patient/clinician divide.
Excellent Dr. Jamison. Thank you very much.
The depths she must have had to go into and re-live to do and write all this is admirable.
Wow I have had this illness a long time and was just recently diagnoised. Thannk G-d for her ability to write & speak as this was the warmest heartfelt story for her to share
Thank you Dr Kay for sharing your story and giving me insight! U have helped me understand heaps
There was a time when I felt a set of feelings that made me say:I'm manic
I was full of energy, insane readiness for war,blood-thirst,great pride full of euphoria,hubris,and great artistic inspiration
When I listened to Mayhem (a black metal band),songs all about apocalyptic war and misanthropy,I felt myself falling in trance,wanted to cut my skin
I always visualized my surrounding in burning ruins,and corpses drowned in blood,I loved that
I felt that no one but me exists. And I can do anything
What a wonderful lady! Thank you so much! It helped me a lot to understand/feel my illness better.
Hola! me parece excelente lo que dice en la conferencia Leí el libro y me parece una tremenda enfermedad aquella sinceramente pienso que es muy valiente al contar su historia y revelar detalles tan personales Con su testimonio no tengo dudas de la enfermedad y me queda claro al tener personas conocidas con ese trastorno lo difícil que puede llegar a ser padecerla Le doy la gracias a Kay por su relato que me acerca a la realidad de los que llevan para toda su vida la enfermedad. Paola; Chile
Great speech Dr. Kay.
Powerful insightful intelligent speech by Dr Kay Redfield Jamison sharing her personal experiences of living with Bipolar disorder or once known as manic-depressive illness and it impacted her -
I agree that this speech was extremely intelligent, if by "intelligent" you mean braindead
Dr Jamison..I have never had a role model but I really want to say that you are my role model.
I am not from medical field but always wanted to study psychology. If i can be iota of what you are, I would be contented.
Read your book . Thank you so much. I feel a support from you. Love you #KayRedfield .-
Thank you Dr Jamison...
She is amazing!
Totally empathise with all of this. Finally got around to getting myself officially diagnosed for Major Depression... after five years of being aware of it and more than eight years living with it. The effects are dramatically similar- I hated the idea of medication... and it worked for me.
this was such an informative and great video.! bravo!!
Just read Dr. Jamison's book "An Unquiet Mind". It is a brilliant book. Definitely recommend!
There are many commentary ignorant of the fact of living with bipolar illness
Great lecture!!!!
Love you Dr.Jamison
this brought me to tears... a couple times. haha. glad i found it.
PRAYER? DID SOMEONE SAY THAT? SERIOUSLY? MY GOD, WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TOO. OBVIOUSLY, NOT A MANIC DEPRESSIVE, AND SCIENTIFICALLY EQUAL TO A BAG O'HAMMERS. Sad I felt moved to say that, but Kay is flippin HEAD of Psychiatry at Hopkins, and her books are exquisite. She is eloquent and literary and she speaks from her heart.
I love this video! Jamieson Kay is the best :)
Thanks for your comment! Truly appreciated.
Julia
Me encantaria este video estuviera subtitulada al español..Dr Jamison le agradeceria mucho
Isn't that why your'e watching the heroine of Manic Depressive Illness right here and right now? More people need to watch it. Information is power. I suffer terribly from Bipolar 1 (with psychotic features) and its the most severe form.
I have to share this with my 29 and 24 year old marvelously creatively talented sons, who will think I'm a freak. But, I will show them Kay - because Kay is brilliant too and you can't help but see this.
I haven't read her book but how was she able to go to work and teach everyday if she was that depressed?
Just because we have no objective test at the moment, doesn't mean, doesn't mean we won't have one in the near future. Did people with diabetes have nothing wrong with them before someone discovered their blood sugar was too high?? Also, psychological tests can be pretty damned good at discovering things about how people think- I know because I've invented some that are used worldwide (not for bipolar).
I was diagnosed as Bi-Polar but I focus my high powered energy to make money and accomplish really awesome feats. No drugs, no smoking, no drinking, no dairy, no meat, no alcohol, screw drugs! including the ones they put in processed food. no coffee, no crap in my body. Keep laughing! Take care of yourself!
very interesting - her textbook, written alongside fred goodwin MD is an excellent resource and reference. i disagree with her referring to bipolar disorder as "manic depression". this holds old labels of stigma and should be left behind. perhaps that is an american thing though.
Truly KRJ is the queen Scribbler. She's written the most effective advertisement for commercial medication of all time!
True.
pls let me buy a copy of this wonderful lady's book!!! where have i been...yes i know i'm here. i don't have credit card overload but everything that majestic lady said is soo true!!! I fight the darkness of inadequace every day and becomr frustrated with myself because i know what i want to deliver but it comes out wrong. the darkness and the self loath i feel is real, and those close to me laugh it off and say "take yr antidepressant old girl." pls is there a way i can get in contact wth ath
It's been 11 years since this post
if you see it I will send you the book
the illness is also known now a bipolar disorder but she she had periods of manias where her thoughts would race and and she would go on spending sprees do a million different things and then after she would have periods of depression where everything she had to do became a task and she would sometimes become violent and suicidal but a very effective treatment is lithium which solves most of her problems but it wasnt that easy...- its a great book you should really consider reading it
Great courage
@MaryJamesMurdoch
I have cylclothymia (manic more then depression) its sometimes hard, whats worse is when I get debating and fighting with people on you tube. I Used to try to self medicate with herion and meth, but I quit 9 months ago!!
@MaryJamesMurdoch a lot of them as well as non-celebs against psychiatry say it's a spiritual crisis - for example, the death of the ego. i don't think that excludes the role of brain chemicals, but those people can't seem to reconcile that the material nature of the brain and the potential for the soul, lifeforce, etc.
Kay is an eloquent writer on manic depression. Unfortunately she advocates Lithium as the treatment of choice and hasn't explored posterior pituitary supplementation which is a cure with no side effects. She advocates early diagnosis and treatment which I believe is also essential.
Being bi-polar, or manic-depressive, is to be constantly shifted between the depressive state (where you don't want to do anything) and the manic state (where you're wrapped up in the highs of everything). Perhaps her best work came while manic?
Maybe she simply taught while depressed for the same reason we all attend our jobs regardless of feeling - bills have to be paid no matter what.
the battle is spiritual -- it cannot be explained [away] through any science. listen to trevor hall. soar. you are in the driver's seat, and no one can take that away from you. God has given it.
The title of this site brings in people that have beepers. I for one.
@darkwindmill
my doctor is pretty good. I am happy I have so much support. People on you tube can be so mean too. Howeve I know I am loved and stuff, hope all you with mania do well, seriousley..
I tried meth and heroin to help me but it made it worse. I also need to me kinder and more mellow and stop arguing with people on u tube
she is far from dishonest......it is very much so a disease and unless you have it maybe you should not comment without gathering more information. What is wrong with this world agree or not we should be lifting each other up not trying to tear each other apart....... I am very grateful for all she has to offer. David I feel sorry you are so lost on this issue I prey you find happiness in your life.
The being so self absorbed comes from constantly needing to struggle with a psyche a mind you have no control over. You try to control every thing else to compensate. Completely illogical and humiliating. There isn't any sympathy and loads of fear from others. Embrace the situation. This is it.
But if that is the case, then what is the function of sentient experience. Why would evolution lead to an experiencer if there are no decisions to be made in the first place?
@matthew12222 That's an interesting idea. There's a book called "Neurodiversity" that expands on that idea. I believe there is a level of functional impairment that is necessary for people to live happily, but the model of "broken brains" is becoming out of date.
bixby made a good point. I'm not talking about prayer, I'm talking about personal responsibility. I don't believe in the term "bipolar disorder" as a mental illness -- but if I did I would be a so-called victim of it. This victimization I refuse. It's life, and life only, and I'm not going to reject wonderful times of joy simply to give up painful trials that I grow the most from. I'm seeing myself firsthand growing and walking out of destructive beliefs just by accepting the grace Life bestows.
zhulia wow. you’re self righteous and deluded.
Maintain internal heights.
@SAntonoyannakie It was supposed to be sarcastic..
@mmatw2 She just saved my marriage and life.Finally,..... the TRUTH HAS SET ME FREE :0)
Kay your very beautiful in every way. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
@darkwindmill My good friend. Psychiatry is for the opinionated
WHAT you completely misunderstood the video.
who says they are brought on by the patient himself? can it not be both self-weaknesses and physical disorder? isn't that how the brain works? or do you not believe in free will?
Generally speaking, bipolar disorder presents with an above average intelligence and crazy people almost never lead uneventful lives.
6:25 she mentions reasons why bipolars don't want to take meds but she leaves out the fact that the drugs can harm you. They *always* leave out the fact that the drugs can shorten your life. The will *never* tell you that the drugs can shorten your life.
And you will be dead without them
I just want the most effective med with the least side effects for my wife. It doesn't matter what it is. I know that different things work for different people and yes, there may be side effects. Side effects are one thing... So is the basic ability to cope.
I am afraid there are a few untreated people making comments here. Your lives are at risk, so please get help.
It's very easy to tell the ones here who aren't stable. You know what their condition is, so hopefully the comments aren't hurtful to you.
Hate the long ass intro!
Yeah, the intro was def. too long. The music stressed me out also, heheh! Also, the clip didn't allow for clapping at the end, ended v. abruptly. However I still really enjoyed what she had to say, got a lot out of it.
I have created a television series about this topic and would value your feedback - you can find it on youtube if you look up Little Miss Mania- Bipolar or waking up? Thanks so much and I wish you continued success , peace and joy xo
to be quite honest, if you did not see a part of yourself within her speech and reflections a/b emotions, thoughts and behaviors: you're in denial.
BINGO
Dont read the comments. The ignorance is jaw dropping in spite of the literal scientific truth Kay provides.
Why is Dr. Redfield slurring her speech? Is that a side effect of lithium?
The depression seemed to suck. I guess the point was things were just too out of control, poor lady.
I'd argue that without strange "ill" people who are different we'd live a dull existence.
Hendrix, other musicians, actors, writers, leaders, artists, etc. If all these people were identified and "balanced out" They might still be here, but most likely not produced these wonderful gifts for the rest for us.
In this case, this woman was lucky her problem just fit in with her profession.
The battle is self-disciplined collective struggle against the decease which is the result of irresponsible and wrong life-style. Compassion and care might help fight the decease rather than just medication and insurance-centered programs.
Respectfully, a psychiatric condition is *not* the result of "irresponsible and wrong lifestyle" Rather, as a *result* of a psychiatric condition, many people, who don't realise they have the condition, may turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with eg: extreme anxiety - and/or depression and or even mania - ie: to self-medicate/to try and calm the mind. And others sadly judge an unwell person and state they have an "irresponsible and wrong lifestyle", not truly understanding the motivation behind excessive substance intake. Again, with respect, that's where the compassion you mentioned - and empathy - and understanding - needs to be exercised.
@sbergman27 Seroquel. By how much: no way to tell exactly, like cigarettes. In what way: metabolic syndrome, diabetes, liver damage. How unlikely: greater risk than I am comfortable with. Where is the evidence: Ask an honest pdoc, or see Seroquel vids on youtube.
Excellent personal story and info on depression, but she needs to add some vocal variety to keep audience engaged. It's too monotone. There's a woman in the audience asleep in the video.
One of the worst aspects of manic depression is the delusions that characterise the manic phase. The following depression reminds you in intimate detail of all the nonsense you believed at the time, and all the humiliating comments you made publicly, which inevitably come back to haunt you and even ruin your entire life.
Living is the only rational choice. The only other option is non-existence.
There's rich & poor, high & low functioning. Like Szaz says, .....
All those epathets of a disorder which stems from a conflict of the soul's intentions. These people are not crazy, they are too close to the issue to see its affect.
Then maybe you can give some light as to what nonsense they filled my head with, and what is the correct way of approaching mental illness, hmmmm....?
I think that you would get along well with social darwinists...
Thumbs up if really want lithium.
I liked you better when you were giving away snake bite kits
Do you have any high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar. high decay rate, periodontal disease, other bone loss. spontaneous abortion in females. These are things you can expect with posterior pituitary deficiency that Lithium will not correct, so if you think Lithium is a magic bullet, post pit is a better one. You were not born Lithium deficient.
If that were the case, then no one would be suffering in the first place. Therefore, your logic fails.
This story below what is what happens to decent, kind, caring, loving Sane and Normal people who get involved with a Bipolar person.....Don't and I mean 'Don't' ever marry a Bipolar person.
"Psalm
1 week ago
I've spent 30 years (diagnosed for the last 12) married to a bipolar 1 woman with psychotic features. We have 4 children, 2 grown and 2 teenagers. I've read the books, went to counsellors, tried to make a "trigger-free" environment, counted pills, watched the videos, involved clergy, went with her to the pdoc and literally everything else I could think to do for her. Six times she has gone into manic phases in the last 12 years which have lasted anywhere from 3 weeks to two months. We have discovered 2-3 different med combinations that work for her and keep her stable for extended periods of time. Then, out of the blue, she either stops the meds without consulting anyone or she decides that they "make her nauseated" and she can't take them anymore.
She's also had 20+ hypomanic phases. When manic/hypomanic she blames me for her stress (and everything else), trust's absolutely no one, becomes hyper-religious and the most arrogant human you've ever seen. She's cursed out my elderly parents, posted inflammatory material on social media, cursed at and called members of our church ugly names (in church), and purchased expensive items we don't need. She's been terminated from work, threatened our kids and wrecked 5 cars. It is impossible to treat with an irrational mind.
I can appreciate the effort you put into your channel and I sincerely hope it helps someone who, like me, unwittingly betrothed themselves to a ticking time bomb. My advice to those considering entering into a relationship with a bipolar person is to run far, far away and don't look back. The odd part about our pending divorce is that it isn't about money, or lack of love (for some reason, I still love her very much), or a bad sex life or infidelity (although there was some of that from her in the early years). It is her absolute refusal to take responsibility for her atrocious behaviour. For that reason, I, a man in his mid-50s, am giving my wife half of our estate (about $500K) to just go away. Now I'll have to spend an extra 7 years working to try and make up some of the loss, but at this stage, I consider it time and money well spent."
Mythological explanations are of no help. Medicine and science are the best hope.
woman, I have watched your lecture. It had a draining effect. I respectfully disagree with your views on this lifelong struggle of yours. Perhaps something that means so much to you is worth re-examination from different vantage points.
what part?
"giving light" lol to a "distressing issue" lol all it takes lol is the "right frame of mind" lol to keep a "stable mood" lol
the scribblers seemed to have filled your mind with this nonsense my friend!