Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive

19 and 26 September, 9pm, BBC Two. Join Stephen Fry for a two-part documentary in which he takes an astonishingly open look at his own and other people’s experiences of living with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder affects more than half a million people in the UK across all age groups. It causes dramatic mood swings, different from the normal ups and downs most of us experience.

Manic depression, as bipolar is commonly known, has a negative and often frightening image. While it is a serious illness, with the help of family, friends, support groups and health professionals, it can be managed successfully.

Over the coming weeks, this section of BBC Health will be featuring:

Bipolar stories

Watch a collection of short films where eight people describe what it’s like living with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar diary

Starting Tuesday 19 September, read one woman’s experiences of managing the condition in her week-long diary.

Advice booklet

The Secret Life of Manic Depression: Everything You Need to Know About Bipolar Disorder - take a detailed look at symptoms and diagnosis, get information on medical treatments and advice on how to self-manage it successfully.

Bipolar disorder in adolescence

Find out how the condition affects young people from an adolescent psychiatrist.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/tv_and_radio/secretlife_index.shtml