Dispelling the stigma of manic depression

摘要

In September in the UK, the BBC broadcast a two-part television documentary programme, The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive, in which actor/writer Stephen Fry talked with celebrities and members of the public about their manic depression (bipolar disorder) and how it has affected their lives. During the programme, Fry recounted in detail his own experiences, including a suicide attempt. One of the aims of the programme was to help dispel the stigma that is often associated with depression, and its website contains a wealth of supporting materials intended to help people better understand the condition (www.bbc.co. uk/health/tv_and_radio/ secretlifejndex.shtml). This includes a 24-page booklet The Secret Life of Manic Depression: Everything You Need To Know About Bipolar Disorder. Clips from the documentary are also available.