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.

The psychiatrists wrote: "We have noticed in our clinical practice a new and unusual phenomenon, where patients present to psychiatrists with self-diagnosed bipolar disorder.

"Recently, we have noticed numerous GP referrals to our service, where the primary request has been for a psychiatric opinion on whether the patient may have bipolar disorder, as suggested by the patient's own self-diagnosis. Also common, but less so in our experience, is the patient who attends reluctantly at the instigation of family members, who are convinced they have finally made the diagnosis that can explain the awkward or embarrassing behaviour of their relative."

Explaining the phenomenon, Dr Chan and Dr Sireling added: "The increasing popularity of bipolar disorder may be attributed to increased media coverage, coupled with the high social status associated with celebrities such as Stephen Fry talking about their own personal experiences of mental illness.

"This appears to have promoted the disorder as less stigmatising and acceptable to the public, a phenomenon that may have an evolutionary basis."