Bipolar & the Head-Hand Disparity

By Stephen Propst

Brain illnesses don’t elicit the same level of empathy as does an injured hand — sometimes not even from those who know what you’re facing.

Recently, due to an injury, my right hand was immobilized for six weeks. But for years I’ve felt that my head has been similarly immobilized (at least at times) because of bipolar.

Having my hand in a splint afforded me a chance to see how different a “broken” brain can be from a hurt hand. The distance from my head to my outstretched hand is about 3 feet; however, in countless ways, the two are worlds apart.

First, I can’t tell you how many people offered a helping hand while mine was out of commission. From opening doors to offering to cut my steak, the outpouring of care was amazing. In addition, numerous people voiced their concern. People could identify with the difficulty associated with having a disabled hand, even if they had never experienced that misfortune.

Unfortunately, that’s often not the case with a mood disorder. People are not always quick to rally around you and offer support. Brain illnesses simply do not elicit the same level of empathy from the public, sometimes not even from those who know what you’re facing. And let’s not forget what people say, sometimes under their breath.

Now, don’t get me wrong. The help I’ve personally received from family, friends, and professionals has been invaluable. I wouldn’t be here without it. And, obviously, it’s not always easy to “see” that someone has bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, in a contest between head and hand, there’s a notable disparity in the level of awareness people have and the amount of assistance they offer.

In a contest between head and hand, there’s a notable disparity in the level of awareness people have and the amount of assistance they offer.

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