I WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED WITH MANIC DEPRESSION(BI-POLAR) IN 1993,WHEN THE MENTION OF A

MENTAL ILLNESS WAS A TABOO SUBJECT WHEREAS NOW IT IS MORE UNDERSTOOD AS THE NUMBER

OF CASES RISE ANUALLY..... ALTHOUGH THE STIGMA STILL EXISTS.MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE DIAGNOSED

WITH THE ILLNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME ARE EMBARASSED AND DO NOT TALK ABOUT IT.

I THINK THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT IT THE BETTER,AT THE END OF THE DAY ITS A CLINICAL IMBALANCE

IN THE BRAIN.WITH CAREFULL TREATMENT  THE CHANCE OF A REPEAT EPISODE CAN BE PREVENTED.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS TO KEEP TAKING THE MEDICATION,EVEN WHEN YOU

FEEL BETTER AS THIS CAN RESULT IN A MANIA OR DEPRESSION EPISODE..WHEN YOU GO TO HOSPITAL

WITH A BROKEN ARM.. IT GETS PUT IN PLASTER-YOU DONT TAKE IF OFF TILL ITS HEELED SO WHY

STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICATION,ITS PRESCRIBED FOR A REASON.. I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE.....

MY AIM NOW IS TO START A CHARITY HELPING PEOPLE TO GET UP IN THE MORNING WITH A

PURPOSE  TO HAVE A BETTER DAY....

MATT