Reflecting on the Life of Carrie Fisher and her battle with Bipolar Disorder

Posted 03-01-2017

With the recent death of longtime actress Carrie Fisher on Tuesday night, we’ve all been reminded about how fragile life can be and just how limited our days are. For most, Fisher will be remembered as Princess Leia from the legendary Star Wars franchise. For others, Fisher will be remembered as a lifelong advocate of raising awareness for mental illnesses, namely bipolar disorder, which she openly struggled with for more than 40 years. We documented her courage in fighting bipolar disorder and addiction back in 2011, which can be found here.

Fisher’s efforts were aimed at reducing the stigmas associated with mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders like addiction. When deciding whether or not to seek professional help, stigma remains the largest road block for individuals battling conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression or anxiety disorders. While seeking help may be seen as a clear indicator of an illness, it’s actually more of a sign of inner strength. In a 2001 interview with Diane Sawyer, Fisher was quoted as saying “I am mentally ill. I can say that. I am not ashamed of that. I survived that, I’m still surviving it, but bring it on. “

Carrie Fisher encouraged others to find comfort in confronting mental illness and sharing experiences with others fighting the exact same battle. Shortly after her death on Tuesday, it became obvious on social media that her courageous battle with bipolar disorder impacted and inspired the lives of many Americans.

If you’re losing the battle with bipolar disorder, you’re in the right place. Bipolar disorder affects nearly 6 million Americans during any given year. To take that important step towards improving your life and mental well-being, please call our admissions office at 877-845-5235 or fill out our contact form. Our admissions staff will explain the admissions process and work with your insurance provider to ensure that you get the professional help that you need and deserve. We currently offer treatment at two residential locations in both Orlando, Florida and Knoxville, Tennessee, and outpatient services in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Reference:

• PsychologyToday.com
• NAMI.org