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As I said last week, bipolar disorder can be a lethal disease. My point was that suicide can be a symptom of bipolar disorder and this is the cause of death for many people.
However, there are other ways to die from bipolar disorder as well. In fact, suicide is not even the most common cause.
According to Dr. Steven Dilsaver, a psychiatrist who specializes in bipolar disorder (in a personal email to me),
The findings indicate that the chronically persistently mentally ill . . . die an average of about 25 years earlier than expected. The primary cause is cardiovascular disease. Suicide enters into the equation but is not the primary cause.
Of course, there are many reasons that people with bipolar disorder suffer from early mortality. There is discussion on this in the medical community. Possible causes of early death in the chronically mentally ill include:
To the best of my knowledge, even accidental deaths are overrepresented in people with a mental illness. (This makes sense when you consider severe mood episodes.)
In my view, many people with serious mental illnesses just don’t have the ability to prevent their own early mortality because they are not getting quality healthcare due to socioeconomic factors. However, for those of us not in that boat (luckily), I believe we can beat the early mortality, at least to some degree.
As I said, we need to manage the risk of suicide in bipolar disorder, but in addition to that, we need to:
Managing our risks is the good news and the bad news. The good news is we can defeat many of the factors that produce early mortality. The bad news is we likely can’t conquer all the factors that lead to early mortality in bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, using the above management techniques gives us the best chance and empowers us so we don’t feel like victims of a statistic.
Natasha Tracy is an award-winning writer, speaker, advocate, and consultant from the Pacific Northwest. She has been living with bipolar disorder for 26 years and has written more than 2000 articles on the subject.
Find more of Natasha’s work in her acclaimed book: "Lost Marbles: Insights into My Life with Depression & Bipolar" on Amazon.
Connect with Natasha at the social media links below.
Shopping for someone with a mental illness can feel tricky—you want a gift that actually helps, not just more clutter. This guide walks you through 15 thoughtful, low-pressure mental health gifts that offer real comfort, reduce stress, and say, “I see you and I’m here,” during the holidays and all year.
I’m never going to call bipolar pain a “gift.” Most days, I just want it to stop. But emotional and even physical pain aren’t always random torture—they’re often trying to tell us something. This piece digs into what your pain might be saying, how to listen, and how that can make living with it just a little easier.
After 24 of 30 TMS sessions with no meaningful improvement, I wrote the guide I needed: why failed treatment hurts, how to get through the next 72 hours, and what to ask your clinician now.
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I took Lithium from 1980-2011 In 2012 I was diagnosed Chronic kidney disease stage 3. I made a lifestyle change after prayer. Over came the Kidney disease am now at stage1. Through changing my diet and taking herbs and trust in God and the 8 laws of health. Nutrition Exercise Water Sunshine Temperance Fresh Air Rest Trust in Divine Power! Have been doing well with my bipolar too. I sleep good at night. No longer on medicine. Eat a healthy diet drink green and eat a lot of raw fruit and vegetables. Avoid sugar and processed food as much as possible.
I always look forward to your topics on mental health as well – well, most of the time. Some of the subject matter
is food for depression. I already have a plate full and can do without someone’s statistics on BP mortality. Nor can I disagree, because as we think our mind directs. If we constantly harbor underground thoughts, soon we will be there. Thus we live as long as we can with a purpose and a share of joy to reach for.
I always look forward to receiving your emails Natasha….
However,this one bummed me and triggered me .
I fight so hard everyday just to make it to stay out of the hospital..plus,Christmas so close…
Though,I’m not that surprised the yrs this shitty bipolar takes off ones life.
Seems like we are in a war,we cannot win.
Kinda makes me feel like,what’s the use,then?
All the hard work in vain?
It’s truly life damaging & eternally discouraging,sooo exhausting,frustrating!!!!!
Sweet…
So easy to lose hope…
Although,I’m the kind of individual who would rather know the truth than BS lies.
End this on that note.
Sandra, There are many people who advocate a message of hope out there, but don’t have the luxury of Natasha’s employers as a base to get their message out. You don’t have to take everything Natasha writes as fact. I find so much of this article to be bullshit which could be easily refuted. I’d invite you to check out my blog. It has a different feel to it. Also, check out “The Icarus Project”. There are other voices to be heard.
Natasha,
Thanks so much for writing this post – this is something I didn’t know! I struggle with taking good care of myself, but when I do, I know it helps me.
Michael – I’m sending good thoughts your way and hope that you feel better. Please know that people do care and you’re not alone.
-L
Lea.. You mean well and Thank you but I am alone and the people around me dont care. All except my wife and son. My friends are all gone. My extended family has basically disowned me. I can go on and on.. With all due respect.. you say you care. If you and I passed each other on the street I wouldn’t know that you are Lea so how can you care for a name on a blog? How can you be sending good thoughts my way when you dont even know ho I am. I always hear the term you are not alone, people care about you, Sending prayers your way. Sounds great. Meanwhile, back to reality. I would never say that to anyone. How can I care about someone I dont even know. Where do my prayers go for that someone I dont know? Sounds a bit outlandish to me. Meanwhile I sit home and suffer, a suffering beyond words all alone. Apparently you dont have BP2 with severe anxiety and clinical depression and I cycle at minimum twice a day. But people care and send prayers my way. Excuse me for my sarcasm….. My shrink for years told me she cared until I told her that I could no longer pay 200 for 50 minutes of her caring. Her tone changed. Where is my bucket.
Natasha…. What a way to see my first email — More ways to die from Bipolar. I just woke up after having one hell of an episode that has literally left me sick to my stomach and my first subject line is yours…. I am so beat up with this BP crap I am actually laughing at this first email of the day.My tears for the day ran out at around 11am. By the way, I woke up at 5PM.. I am laughing at a post about the cruelty of BP. What next.?. BP extends the life of lab rats because they thrive on cruelty.. Every day I read another article or post. I like yours the best, but there is only so much shit I can take. I could give a hoot if I am creative or can see and feel things others cant… Some day, you may have a post that says GOOD NEWS, A Plant from New Guinea has shown to have the properties that will Cure BP.. Thats what I want. Got to go.. Time to cycle for the 3rd time today.. Woohoo. Aint life grand. :) I leave with you with a song that I consider my best. I have loved it for decades. Now I know why…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELOe3f-hihc
Hi Michael,
I’m sorry you found the piece so distressing. I choose to look at it in a positive way – we can do things to fight this statistic! I don’t just have to lay down. We can determine our own fates. True, nothing is perfect and we can’t beat every danger, but I like to think that by putting this information out there, people will live longer.
So, good news :)
– Natasha Tracy
Natasha You say determine our fates… I would sure love to know because I don’t know who I will be or what I will be like every day of the week 365 days a year. I have no idea as to what the poisons I take are doing to my body because everyone has their own chemical make up and when I take 3 pills That come with 25 and more potential issues and interactions each.what do the 3 of them turn into chemically….And, I may be wrong but there is not a soul walking on this planet who can determine their fate.
I agree with putting the information out there.
Isn’t fate by definition predetermined and not changeable. As to stats. These are just a view of a group or anything else you are examining from the past and have no actual influence on future outcomes. They have nothing to do with specific outcomes of future outcomes of specific people.
A definition I looked up…..the will or principle or determining cause by which things in general are believed to come to be as they are or events to happen as they do. I have no clue if they are predetermined maybe because I am agnostic. Do I have influence over my fate? Not the way I see it.But, I can make my own fate right now happen this moment which can be different then the fate I choose for myself tomorrow for me to have happen right then and there in that space in time.. You know what.? To me right now , where I stand its all bullshit. Life is bullshit. A big crap sandwich, then you die, then they pour sand on you and dogs come by and piss on your grave. Let me know if I missed anything else. I am tired.
Metabolic disorders from bipolar medications cannot be understated. My current cocktail includes Valproate and Seroquel, which both conspire to cause weight gain and high blood sugar. Over the last decade, using Depakote has resulted in morbid obesity and therefore a greater risk factor for heart disease and high cholesterol and contributed to sleep apnea, which can be deadly. My weight is the major concern of my Primary Care doc and I get to see her six times/ year. I’m also fortunate to have access to a gym through my Community Mental Health agency and work with a Health Coach. I do Cardio or swim nearly every day, a program encouraged by my Spine surgeon to combat sacral stenosis, a painful condition whereby the lower spinal canal is occluded by fatty tissue deposits caused by: guess what? Depakote metabolism.
The Surgeon ruled out a surgical option because pain relief would be temporary; less than a year, and recur because the metabolic cause would still be in place. The solution: hit the gym and stop the meds. The latter, in my case, is not an option, because taking the meds ensure my quality of life. I’ve worked hard and lost several pounds, and the back pain has nearly resolved.
I use a CPAP machine in bed and so far, Type II Diabetes remains at bay. At home, I cook healthier meals and have lunch @ the Senior Center before going to Cardio. I’ve gained a lot of ground from a small amount of anti-depressant and enjoying Zumba class as a beginner.
I’ve come to find that physical health is key to my mental health, even though I still have “breakthrough” manias every few years. I’ve come to believe that being prepared keeps me more secure. I feel ready.
At Almost 72, I am a “Case In Point” :
In the past 3 years, my Internist and I have been watching closely, significant blood chemistry changes in my Kidneys (creatinine, creatinine clearance, BUN {blood uera nitrogen}, and GFR { glomerular filtration rate} ) ; as a result of taking Lithium for my stability of Bipolar Disorder. One of the first to start Lithium over 43 years ago (1971), I have maintained over 30 years of “episode free stability”, as a result, of haveing maintained a therapeutical lithium blood level (.06 – .09). Recently, however, these blood chemistry changes in my Kidneys has required a referral to a Nephrologists (Kidney Specialist). My concerns, were that these changes would require a possible need to discontinue Lithium. I had to deal with negative thoughts and worry of returning to uncontrolled episodes of bipolar disorder. This is where I needed to apply my usage of “Power of Positivity” from my Book. It turned out that my visit to my Nephrologist was totally positive. He stated that my diagnosis was better than expected, ( Chronic Kidney Disease -CKD- Stage 2 (MILD), and that I could continue taking 300mg of Lithium. This experience again proves that Positive Thoughts will help control unwanted negative emotions.
Dr Gunten…. That is amazing… I had to stop lithium for what it wa doing to me weight wise, thyroed wise and my real system.. @ friends had to have kidney transplants after being on lithium for abut 15 years.. They ere lucky to have family members that donated (both were matches.