by Ruth C. White Ph.D., MPH, MSW is the co-author of Bipolar 101

The idea that our cultural framework – beliefs, expectations, norms, taboos etc–influence who we are, what we think, and what we do is central to the study of human behavior and the meanings we assign to our thoughts and actions. It therefore should not be surprising that culture would influence our physical and mental health in a complex interplay of factors that vary not only individually but also in the collective. These factors include everything from our diet, social activities, symptomatic expression (and therefore diagnosis), perception of mental illness, resources to treat and diagnose, and work habits among others.

This blog will explore the relationship between culture and mental health. Grounded in contemporary research, current events and personal experiences, I will write about how our perceptions of self, our place in the world and our notions of health, well-being and illness, influence our experience of our minds.

Read Dr. White’s first Psychology Today blog piece here

excerpt from Bipolar 101 by Ruth C. White, PhD, MPH, MSW and John D. Preston, PsyD, ABPP

Stress has such an impact on our minds, bodies, and spirits that it exacerbates mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder. Stress is a significant trigger for episodes of bipolar disorder. Obviously, people who don’t have bipolar disorder get irritable, impatient, and short-tempered when faced with chronic stress, but for people with bipolar disorder, uncontrolled stress can lead to dangerous manic or depressive symptoms. The degree of stress we have in response to environmental stressors is partly genetic but can be controlled when we learn behaviors that minimize its impact on our psyches, relationships, and bodies.

Coping with stress has to do with our response to our environments. Having bipolar disorder can be very stressful and creates anxiety that reinforces symptoms. But with psychotherapy and medications that reduce anxiety, those of us who have bipolar disorder can learn how to live in the present moment without worrying as much what might happen if we have an episode. When in the midst of an episode, we may feel anxious that it might result in a hospitalization. Though we may feel we have no control over whether or not that happens, learning to cope with our stress in a healthier way helps us focus more effectively on managing our symptoms, which reduces the likelihood of being hospitalized or having a severe episode.

by Julie Fast, co-author of Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder

It's time to get the word out about Charlie Sheen and mania. He is in a manic episode. It's 100% certain. I know because I have been there as have the tens of thousands of people who come to my blog every month. Mania has very distinct symptoms that are not matched in any other illness, nor are they similar to what a person says when they are drunk or on drugs. This is an important distinction.

To show that this is bipolar disorder and why Charlie Sheen needs to get help, I have created a list of manic symptoms along with his quotes. This can be a reference for the media that continues to exploit him instead of recognizing a very obvious illness. When reading through this, note that it's impossible for a 'normal' brain to come up with these quotes. This is 100% mania.