The Risks of Not Getting Treatment
The greatest risk in Bipolar Disorder is not getting treatment, or refusing treatment because of lack of insight into, or inability to resist, the lure of mania.
Untreated people not only experience more frequent or more severe episodes, but also suffer higher death rates from medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
One’s career, marriage, friendships, and financial stability can be compromised or lost in the face of repeated bouts of depression, recklessness, irrational behavior, drinking, or drugging.
The risk of suicide during depressive episodes looms large in the wake of life setbacks experienced as a consequence of repeated episodes.
Sadly, one-half of the people who develop manic-depressive illness receive no treatment—a terrible loss, when you consider that treatment for this illness is generally safe and effective, and getting better all the time.
Bipolar Disorder is a chronic condition, much like diabetes. Because periods of remission are sometimes complete, but are often complicated by persistent symptoms, Bipolar illness requires preventive maintenance treatment as well as acute treatment, ongoing medication management, and close monitoring during periods of remission. Left untreated, it tends to get worse, and the symptoms can become more pronounced.
Source: NAMI’s brochure ‘Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Recovery’ which be accessed here.
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