Bipolar and Related Disorders

Bipolar and Related Disorders

Joshua Walters’ final statement implies that there is no clear distinction between what society calls “crazy” and “normal.” He rejects the assumption that being diagnosed with a mental illness inevitably qualifies someone as insane, arguing that it may just indicate that people with mental illnesses are more sensitive to aspects of reality that others may not readily notice or experience. Walters suggests that everyone has their unique quirks or “madness” to varied degrees, and the intensity of it is determined by one’s position on a spectrum of human experiences.

What His Presentation Evoked

Joshua Walters’ talk elicited empathy and a greater understanding of the complexities of mental health. His openness about his bipolar diagnosis and experiences in a psychiatric facility humanized the typically stigmatized subject of mental illness. Corcoran (2020) defines bipolar disorder as a mood illness in which a person has one or more manic or hypomanic episodes that alternate with episodes of significant depression. Walters’ ability to find comedy and happiness in the midst of adversity was both uplifting and thought-provoking. His speech urged a rethinking of how society views mental health, emphasizing that people suffering from mental diseases should not be labeled as “crazy” but rather appreciated for their unique sensitivity.

The view of mental illness

Yes, Joshua Walters’ talk changed my perspective on mental illness. His personal story and point of view challenged the assumptions and stigmas linked with mental health issues. Mental illness is not a simple, one-dimensional designation but rather a multifaceted aspect of human experience that requires comprehension and empathy (Carrotte et al., 2022). Walters’ ability to find comedy and value in his challenges demonstrated the possibility of progress and perseverance in others struggling with mental health issues.

References

Carrotte, E. R., Hopgood, F., Blanchard, M., Groot, C., & Phillips, L. (2022). A New Podcast to Reduce Stigma Against People Living with Complex Mental Health Issues: A Co-Design Study (Preprint). JMIR Formative Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/44412

Corcoran, J. (2020). Mental health in social work: a casebook on diagnosis and strengths based assessment. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1130282269529841920

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

---

After viewing Joshua Walters’ TED talk, explain to your classmates what your interpretation of his final statement is. What did his presentation evoke in you? Did it alter your view of mental illness? Why or why not?