Modeling after Charlie Sheen?
Charlie Sheen has been ever so popular these last few weeks with his outrageous online rages. Every time I turn on the news, reporters are examining his behavior and crude comments. Though these outbursts may be entertaining, it’s not something to encourage. Charlie Sheen is obviously showing signs of mania, a serious mental condition.
Details about this disease
According to WebMD, the dramatic mood swings of bipolar disorder do not follow a set pattern. Symptoms of mania include, excessive happiness, hopefulness or excitement, sudden changes from being joyful to being irritable or angry. The person with this condition is also restless, has increased energy and doesn’t feel the need to sleep. Other signs include: talkativeness, distractibility, racing thoughts, increased reckless behavior, a tendency to make grand and unattainable plans and a tendency to show poor judgment.
Real life – this is not okay.
Though Sheen’s outrages have been publicized, we need to take these actions as a learning experience. If you or one of your friends display these types of behaviors, it is important to take action to get you or that person help. If you are concerned about a friend, talk to them, but plan your procedure. Be sure to talk to them in a relaxed location, somewhere where they are comfortable. When you confront them about specific actions about their behavior, don’t come at them in an attacking way. Explain your concerns and give specific examples of the behaviors that concern you. Obviously, you are not an expert in the mental health field, but you are a friend, and friends are supposed to be there through thick and thin. You cannot force your friend to get help, but just encourage them that you are there for them. Of course, if your friend is placing themself or others in danger, it is your responsibility to get the authorities involved. As hard as it is, mania is a huge cry for help.