Stress is defined by having anxiety, insecurity, low self-esteem, and the feeling of a lack of control over one’s own life. Stress is related to Bipolar Disorder in that high amounts of stress is a risk factor for developing the disorder. In the same token, high amounts of stress can be the trigger for either a manic or depressive episode within a person living with the disorder. Social support, is defined by giving people the emotional and practical resources that they need to survive. Social support is related to Bipolar Disorder in that a person living with the disorder that receives social support can really talk about how they are feeling inside, and learn how to deal with the emotions and actions that come with the disorder. Bipolar Disorder is related to college students in many ways. For one, college is a very stressful time for all students, and as a result the stress can lead to a student having their first manic or depressive episode of Bipolar Disorder. Another way Bipolar Disorder is related to college students has to do with the treatment of the disorder. Many college students go to counseling/psychotherapy to deal with the struggles and troubles of college even if they are not experiencing the …show more content…
One of the stigmas surrounding Bipolar Disorder is that people with the disorder are different from everyone else which leads to discrimination. A study explored the subjective experience of stigma in Bipolar Disorder and the people living with it said that they felt that stigmas restricted their opportunities at work, school, and healthcare settings ( Hawke, Parikh, & Michalak, 2013, p.181 and 191). Likewise, a survey of 1200 American adults showed that some believe that people with mood disorders should not have children, cannot live normal lives even with treatment (DBSA, n.d., para.4). In general, Hollywood shows such as “Black Box” showcases mostly the extreme behavior of Bipolar disorders which makes it seem like people with Bipolar Disorder are irrational and cannot live normal lives and aren’t like everyone else. Stigmas are very bad, because it makes people living with Bipolar Disorder have low self-esteem, and as a result the may try to conceal their illness from others and not get the treatment they need for the disorder. In the larger culture, stigmas about Bipolar Disorder make people treat others with the illness badly, and treat them as if they are inferior and cannot control themselves. An ethical principle that can help combat stigmas about Bipolar Disorder is the principle of justice. As a society, people need to make sure that people with the disorder are treated equally in all spaces and places. People with