Americans’ Views on Bipolar Disorder

The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) recently sponsored a survey of 1,051 American adults, conducted by Harris Interactive, to assess the public’s awareness, attitudes and perceptions of bipolar disorder (often referred to as manic depression), a serious and chronic mental illness that may affect more than seven million American adults.(i) The survey revealed that stereotypes and misconceptions still shape Americans’ understanding of bipolar disorder, and thus may discourage people who may have the illness from seeking a diagnosis and treatment. The margin of error for this survey was (+ / -) 3 percent with a 95 percent confidence level.

KEY FINDINGS
- The majority of people surveyed, 60 percent, could identify bipolar disorder as a mental illness, but more than two-thirds of respondents said they had limited or no knowledge of it, pointing to gaps in public awareness of the illness. Overall, adults age 65 and older were least familiar with bipolar disorder (42 percent).

- Most respondents (79 percent) recognized that anyone can have bipolar disorder and the majority (87 percent) also believe people cannot control it on their own. This suggests most adults recognize that people with bipolar disorder need some form of help to manage their illness.

- Three-fourths of all respondents, 75 percent, said the media has helped shape their understanding of bipolar disorder – television was the most commonly cited source, particularly health news segments. Magazines and newspapers are also important sources of information.

- Regarding the media’s role in coverage of bipolar disorder, more Americans felt that portrayals of people with bipolar disorder have been more negative (39 percent) than positive (11 percent).

- While more than 75 percent of those surveyed reported being comfortable with being friends with someone with bipolar disorder and 62 percent are comfortable working with or for someone with bipolar disorder, only one in three (32 percent) felt comfortable dating someone with bipolar disorder.

- Many Americans still have misperceptions of bipolar disorder. For instance, 67 percent of respondents believe people with bipolar disorder are extremely emotional and sensitive.

- People ages 18 to 24 significantly more often indicated bipolar disorder is an excuse people use for the way they act.

- Physicians are, by far, seen as the main source of help for bipolar disorder. Primary care physicians are more often named than psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Adults age 45 to 64 and those with higher incomes are more likely to seek the help of a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

(i)Hirschfeld R., Calabrese, J., Weissman M., et al. Screening for Bipolar Disorder in the Community. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2003; 64:1,53-59.