Bipolar in the media

Hello I'm new.  I'm 18 and have been diagnosed since I was 14. I am finally stable after years of trying almost every med approved for treatment of bipolar disorder. However, I've been really upset with the recent child molestation case of Debra Lafave.  She has been claiming that it was because of her bipolar disorder that she had sex with a 14 year old boy.  Now, I've had clouded judgement in my ups and downs, but never have felt that I would have sex with a minor. I'm doing a report for a current issues class on this event and would appreciate hearing your thoughts and feelings about this.  Thank you all.

Hi blinkfloyd,  Welcome to Healing Well forum.

I agree with Ashley and what she has posted 100%.  I have followed that particular case and the other women just recently that have been in the media for molesting their students.  Debra LaFave has recently received the diagnosis of BP and I believe that it was just a convenient excuse to shift blame off of herself or to explain it away.  She is getting off rather lightly and that judgement was made before they announced that she had Bipolar.  Perhaps trying to repair a damaged reputation?  Who knows... But I think that regardless of how the family of the child feels about it these women who are preying on minors should have the exact same punishment that a man would get should he be in that position.  And you know he wouldn't have gotten off with 3 years house arrest and 7yrs probation...he would be sitting in prison.  Exactly where she belongs in my opinion.

I agree with Els that she should have been charged as equally as a man! Gender should have nothing to do with punishing crime! I also agree with you mogli that we are judged because of our illness. Alot of people think we are crazy. Although we may feel crazy at times...to me it is no other different thatn any other mental or physical illness, we are not well and we take meds and therapy to become as well as possible. One of my most frustrating experiences with others has been them not believing that I have the disorder. Most of the outside people that don't really "know" me as in around me often has not seen all of my sides. When I was first diagnosed it was very hard to get some of my so called "friends" to be there for me--some even asked if I was misdiagnosed. It really hurts when people don't see our hurt that we are suffering inside and under or over estimate our illness!

I agree that she should be in prison because she commited a crime with a miner child. 

However, in regards to informing potential employers of a mental illness I would strongly recommend against this.  No matter if it is Bipolar, Depression, Schizophrenia, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.  For one thing it is none of there business.  And secondly unfortunately people are discriminated against when you apply for a job.   No matter what it says printed at the bottom of the applications of not doing so based on race, sex, religion, etc...

I agree you shouldn't have to feel like it is some deep dark secret or your being judged if you do tell someone.  But figure people who are different have always been judged, most likely since time begin.  It doesn't matter if your a different race, size, have a physical deformity or a mental illness someone is always judging.  It doesn't make it right cause it isn't but we cant control it.  All we can do is make sure we are better then that and don't do it to other people.

My boyfriend when he was looking for a job it took him like 9 months to get one.  I couldn't understand what the problem was.  Then he finally told me that he was telling these people when he went to interviews that the reason he didn't work for over a year was because he has Bipolar and is on medication.  I had to tell him to quit telling them that, they don't know to know that, and guess what he ended up getting a job.

I can't help but enjoy these topic's, because they allow some of us to vent a little,

Anyone taking advantage of any one, in any circumstance is abuse, Our court Systems fail us way too often, a good lawyer, who's mates with a good Psychiatrist, and hey, youve got anything you want to get off, if we try going to social security with bags of proof, often we'll get shoved out the door,
As for the Media, well i don't believe they have told the whole truth about anything have they, unless it makes them a profit.
Abuse, no excuses, simple