Saturday, July 23, 2011

Bipolar Disorder Takes Another one...

Jim Morrison was one, so was Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse.  They were all 27 year olds, true.  But moreover, they were all musical geniuses, and Bipolar.

Amy Winehouse said:
"I am my own worst enemy. The interviewer tried to correct her and said you mean you are your own worst critic. Amy looked at him and said, no I am my own worst enemy."

amy-winehouse.jpg image by toniluttrell4 

She was diagnosed as being manic-depressive, but refused to take her medication because she thought it stiffled her creativity.  I understand that.  The problem is that the alternative is a cycle of self-medication that eventually kills.  I have no doubt that it's what happened with Amy, she was just trying to feel "normal". And now another talent is taken from us.

When is the world going to wake up to what continues to be a very prevalent disease in this society?  A killer disease in this society.

Fortunately, a whole lot of people accept their diagnoses, take their medications, and get on with their lives, thank God.  Carrie Fischer, Jane Pauley, Robert Downey Jr. (finally)----and a whole bunch of non-famous people you know personally.  You, more likely than not, know some, work with some, play golf with some, and love some.

The one thing you should take from this lesson is that Bipolar Disorder CAN be treated, there are people living (successfully) with it every single day.

Lecture's over.  For now.  Until some other talented person dies.  And I keep asking the question.

3 comments:

  1. Interesting. In that I have a TV, radio and the net I've heard lots of snippets about Amy Winehouse's death. In not one did I hear anything about her diagnosis Bipolar diagnosis. Wonder why?

    Thanks for the reminder Toni. Don't stop.

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  2. Another sad death. The rock and roll lifestyle again goes too far. Pictures of her at 18 years old, less than 10 years ago, paint a story of self-destruction. RIP.

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