Who is to Blame?

by K.S.
(Santa Barbara, CA, USA)

Many people with bipolar disorder experience life-altering events which confuse those around them. These events alienate them from the world they live in, bringing about the question, is the affected to blame, or is the illness to blame? Even though it is not adult to play the “blame game,” it is easy to point fingers at a person for their actions without considering their illness.

There are only a few rare instances where the illness is not to blame. One situation is when drugs and alcohol play a part in the person’s actions. An individual with bipolar disorder has a condition in which drugs and alcohol will never be a remedy. It is necessary that these people seek help in dual diagnosis programs in order to pinpoint their addictions so they can start managing their symptoms. If one is currently using, they will never be able to get a handle on their disease and will never make headway to a richer life.

If one is aware of treatment and are also denying it, they take on full responsibility for their actions. One example of denying treatment includes not taking the appropriate medications. There are hundreds of psychotropic medications that are used in conjunction with each other to manage bipolar disorder. It is effective to put a patient on both a mood stabilizer, such as Divalproex Sodium, and an anti-depressant, such as Lamotrigine. Sometimes it is wise to add an antipsychotic such as Risperidone to help dampen any acute bipolar symptoms that arise. Talk therapy is also very important in treating bipolar disorder in the way that the therapist can teach the patient cognitive skills in order to control certain thought patterns. It is crucial to engage in both to fully handle bipolar disorder, helping the individual lead a fuller life. If they are aware of treatment and are denying it, an untreated bipolar patient has no excuse for any erratic behavior they experience.

In more affected cases, a treatment center is needed to help heal an individual. Such treatment centers are organized as schools in which therapy groups replace classes and group leaders replace teachers. In these treatment centers, a patient is able to learn more about their disorder as they socialize with others who are also suffering. This is oftentimes more helpful than struggling with bipolar disorder on their own as having a big support system is incredibly helpful.

If someone afflicted with bipolar disorder is going through all their treatment options and still are suffering symptoms, they are most likely not to be blamed for their actions. Examples and consequences of symptoms include rapidly fluctuating moods, disappearing friends, abuse of drugs and alcohol, getting into trouble with authority figures, property vandalism, abusing and ruining credit, and engaging in acts of self-harm. However, if there is a short period of treatment which only lasts so long because of frustration with the disease, it is still the individuals responsibility to seek out further help. Situations like that oftentimes lead an observer to believe that the affected has tried all they can and should give up; it is crucial though to remain optimistic throughout any twists and turns.

Bipolar disorder is big enough disability to bring about the question of who is to blame for the irresponsibility accompanying the disease. More often than not, it is not the fault of the person, but the fault of the illness. However, there are a few cases in which those affected are so used to their illness, this is the only way they know how to function. They do not see why they should change if they have gotten this far in life without treatment. Situations like those are difficult to understand, but it is always important to treat anybody suffering from extreme mood fluctuations so that they and those around them do not feel anymore unnecessary pain.