UK: Rise in self-diagnosis of bipolar disorder "down to celebrities"
The willingness of high-profile sufferers of bipolar disorder, such as Stephen Fry, to talk about their condition has led to more people diagnosing themselves with the illness, researchers claimed yesterday.
Bipolar disorder, which was previously known as manic depression, affects moods, which can swing from one extreme to another. Writing in the Psychiatrist, Dr Diana Chan and Dr Lester Sireling, who work in London, say the increase in self-diagnosis
is due to greater public awareness and a willingness of celebrities, such as Fry, to talk about their experiences of the illness.
About one in every 100 adults has bipolar disorder at a given time, but more recent studies suggest the true rate may be as high as 11 in every 100.
Source: news.scotsman.com
