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MORE THAN ONE third of people with bipolar disorder are unable to work due to the impact on their lives, a report has found.
Figures show that many people with bipolar are only diagnosed after experiencing symptoms for between 2 and 3 years, while almost half of those surveyed have been admitted to hospital to manage manic episodes.
The figures were found in a survey into people’s experiences of bipolar disorder, which affects an estimated 1 in 100 people in Ireland.
Bipolar disorder causes bouts of depression alternating with periods of ‘highs’ for people who have it. Around 40,000 people in Ireland have it, with men and women equally affected.
Constultant psychiatrist at St James’s Hospital in Dublin Dr Paul Scully said it is “essential” to address the stigma surrounding the illness.
“From the public’s view there are various myths and a general lack of understanding surrounding the condition and often this can hinder those who would benefit from support accessing the services they need,” he said.
Dr Scully said that bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as depression, “so a greater understanding of the condition, both from a medical perspective and from that of parents and families, is vital”.
He was speaking at the launch of the ‘99 & Me‘ campaign which aims to tackle the misunderstanding that surrounds the condition and reduce the stigma around it.
Almost half of people with bipolar were diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 30, according to the research by Empathy Research and Lundbeck, with 25 cited as the average age of onset.
Statistics show that patients with bipolar often also have anxiety disorders as well as substance or alcohol abuse problems. The exact cause is unknown.
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“RTÉ’s Director General Dee Forbes was not available to comment.”
She’s only available for comment when looking for a TV licence increase.
How can RTE news stick microphones and cameras in peoples faces looking for news stories, and when they become the story “no comment”?
@Niall Sullivan: Well said.
@Niall Sullivan: while they are a slimy organisation they sometimes have good Tv to be fair but still…..slimey
@Chris Finn: Ah yeah. Fair City, Winning Streak..Riveting stuff! :D
Austerity is only for the little people.
@Dave Hogan: 207 managers in RTE says it all.
@ktsiwot: exactly my thoughts
When is RTE going to explain why Ray Dary gets €500,000 for a show that features on Radio One (total audience for the station per week 2 million) while Jeremy Vine gets £700,000 for a show on Radio 2 (total audience for the station per week 15 million)? It is about time that the media focuses on the salaries of RTE’s so called stars and those in BBC radio.
@BrianMcB: Not to mention the fact the BBC produce far, far better content. Don’t listen to Irish Radio anymore. Listen to BBC Radio 4 myself. The Infinite Monkey Cage on Tuesdays is brilliant. And the comedy is second to none.
They also discuss real world issues, quite critically in fact, without someone shutting down the debate by yelling “racciiiistttt!” It’s all very civilised.
Of course they will say that…they are secret.
@Paul O Mahony: listen to lbc and see how radio should be done.
http://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/
Paying my TV licene is the one bill I detest paying. The salaries their top “stars” ( I say through gritted teeth) are unjustified. There is plenty of fresh new talent out there who would love the opportunity to work in media at that level for a fraction of the cost. It is my view that RTÉ news is not free, impartial & totally independent. As someone remarked to me a while back, it is Éire’s version of Pravda news. The public pay the licence fee & we demand full accountability & transparency.
@Declan Carroll:
I wouldn’t mind so much if it were not for the fact that 100% of programming on rte is pure muck.
@50 Pence: it’s actually decent sometimes
This is one for prime time investigates
Releasing the figures for the top ten earners isn’t good enough. This will only provoke the usual knee jerk reactions against clowns like Darcy, Tubridy, Finucane , Duffy et al
We should get much more than this, so that we can form an overall picture of the pay structures operating in an organsiation that we fund and that should be, in some way,acccountable to us.
I doubt we will hear any more from Dee Forbes (Is it a real name??) begging for more money. Although she is probably that out of touch she doesn’t realise hw insulting she is being begging for it in the first place. I doubt too many people would miss RTE or anything it ever produces.
Doubt if Joe will be discussing this on Liveline today, or any day for that matter.
@Seamus Ryan: Is it true Joe the socialist Duffy is on 400,000 + a year.
What???
The “highly talented” rat darcy, katherine Thomas, turbidy and lottie ryan aren’t getting bonuses on top of their super duper salaries!!!!!!
Why not…..this muck ” talent” needs recognition
@Frank Dubogovik: I think this refers to the “managers” who throw other people’s money at this “talent”. I would say that they just divvy up overall advertising revenue to compensate for “talent” expenses that comes from the public, ensuring that every program makes a profit, and wahey – we’re all entitled to our bonuses! All the public need is a first year business student to go in and look at the books, and we can get a picture of the absolute waste and misappropriation of public money that goes on in there.
#joke key reason I got rid of telly. Why should I subsidize an organisation incapable of living within its means…no-one gonna bail me out if I spend more than I earn…typical public sector…only know how to pay each other increments…know the value of nothing coz it’s not their money…sense of entitlement is sickening.
I have not watched TV in years. ‘Pay per View’, see what happens then.
Raise the TV licence and see where it goes ☺
@Willy Malone: better still..make it pay per view and see where it goes. Down the pan I suspect.
So is the independent newspaper lying to us again?
More chiefs than the all the American Indian nations put together !!….
Which of those 289 managers and profession staff has taken the decision not to broadcast their interviews with Gerry Adams on the very serious issue of mental health and suicide awareness over the past 2 days???
Why is RTE playing party political games with such an important issue???
I see sharon has moved to the left seat while dobby is on holidays….
have your say