Summary
An interview feature about Bipolar Disorder and the Charity Bipolar Scotland with the charities CEO and a service user.
“I was broken, I had a complete breakdown, and the level of depression was horrific… I was embarrassed and felt so guilty that I couldn’t be there for my kids.”
These were the words of Margret Barr, pseudonym used for her privacy, a 53-year-old Scottish woman with bipolar disorder, who was recently medically retired after a 32-year career as an NHS Occupational Therapist.
Unfortunately, as horrendous as these feelings she described were, they can be all too relatable for many bipolar people as they’re forced to face a condition they don’t understand, and may not even know they have, alone.
Margret suffered a severe manic episode in 2019, resulting in hospitalisation, where she was quickly diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
“I think that I’ve had it for decades before. It was a long time coming, the diagnosis.”
Despite this, it still came as a shock to her, as it does to so many others, especially with how quickly the crisis came on.
After the episode, Margret suffered from debilitating depression, faced problems at work, struggled to maintain relationships and was re-hospitalised multiple times.
Speaking to Maja Mitchell-Grigorjeva, CEO of the charity Bipolar Scotland, she said “It affects so much more than someone’s mood; it affects their self-esteem, cognition, sleep, energy levels, it’s not just about mood.”
“We think it affects about two to three per cent of the population, so chances are every one of us will know someone that has it, even if they don’t know it.”
Yet, for as many people as bipolar affects, and as serious as it can be, many people believe that the NHS consistently fail to provide the necessary support.
When asked about bipolar services and pathways to diagnosis, NHS Forth Valley simply said, “Referrals for all conditions are assessed, and individuals are normally seen on the same day for emergencies, within five working days for urgent referrals or within 12 weeks for a routine, non-urgent assessment.”
However, Maya claims this is completely inaccurate, saying, “On average in Scotland it takes ten years to get a diagnosis, and that’s from the very first time somebody actually talks to a medical professional about their symptoms.
“The NHS’s big failure is on the timeliness of diagnosis; people are literally losing their lives in that time.”
The charity Bipolar UK claims that England and Wales also see an almost ten-year diagnosis time.
Beyond wait times, the NHS consistently fails at post-diagnosis support.
Beyond Diagnosis
“Once they get that diagnosis, people tell me they’re put on medication and told, ‘I’ll see you in six months’. That’s where our post-diagnosis service came from,” Maya said.
Like with so many other mental health conditions, the NHS doesn’t have the resources to help manage bipolar after diagnosis, and so people are forced to rely on charities like Bipolar Scotland.
Founded in 1992, the peer-led charity focuses on campaigning for the interests of people with bipolar, developing resources and teaching self-management techniques.
But at the core of the charity is peer support, “There’s something so powerful/unique about peer support”, according to Maja.
The peer support groups are run by volunteers who are, themselves, bipolar, which has a massive impact on people first seeking support.
“You can see people’s shoulders relax… they understand it in a way others can’t, they can help to validate people’s feelings and experiences and let them feel like they are not alone.
“It’s really transformational and lifesaving for people to get peer support.”
Margret’s experience attests to this, “I feel as if I don’t ever meet anyone with bipolar, well, I don’t. (It) was great and really helpful to go round lots of people and meet them and listen to some of their story.”
As part of their work, the charity runs an annual conference, which Margret attended back in October and said had an amazing impact on her.
“Being at the conference last month, it really, really did me the power good linking with people, listening to them, hearing their stories, talking about medication, being in the workshops, it was absolutely excellent.
“You’re your own all the time, and because I don’t have anybody to link with, with bipolar, I feel very isolated, and I am isolated. Meeting so many other diagnosed people at the conference was quite reassuring, and it normalised it a bit more.”
While at the conference, Margret was introduced to a new project the charity is launching called ‘Momentum Works’, to support people with bipolar disorder in work and education.
Maja said that the project was developed following feedback from members that highlighted the difficulties of returning to work or education after diagnosis and the lack of understanding from peers.
“The horror stories I’ve heard from some people about how they’ve been treated is unacceptable,” Maja said about work.
“More than 60% felt they’d been turned down for or couldn’t go for promotions. 60% also said they felt the need to leave a job. One colleague told me she was locked out of all the work systems after telling her boss she was bipolar and was then fired, which is unlawful, but it’s like, where’s the compassion?” she added.
When Margret returned to work, she said she felt guilty, useless and “hugely embarrassed”.
The Bipolar Boogeyman
Both Maja and Margret agree that one of the biggest problems facing people with bipolar disorder is the lack of awareness and understanding.
Despite how prevalent the condition is, more common even than dementia, there is minimal government investment into raising awareness or dispelling harmful stigmas.
When asked what one thing they’d like the general public to know, Maja said, “I just want people to have a better understanding (so) they can have more compassion, more time for people, and they can challenge some of the stigma.”
Margret added, “It’s a chronic, serious lifelong condition. But it is common, and it can be managed by medication, but it takes a while to get the medication right.”
Despite the struggles facing people with bipolar disorder, the perceived shortcomings of the NHS and the limited resources of the charity, the human impact of peer support is life-changing and undeniable.
Since her medical retirement, Margret’s mood and mental health have improved massively.
She is now using her care and support expertise to volunteer for the charity’s new Momentum Works project, allowing her to help others and to feel valued again, which she has been struggling with since her medical retirement.
“I have a lot of experience of employment, acute services and working with families. I feel in the headspace, really, to offer some support.
“It’s time, I’m in a different position now, and I want to support, to help, however I can.”
If you are interested in reading more about Bipolar Scotland, the charity released their manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary election.
Maja described the manifesto as “a call to transform how bipolar is recognised, supported and resourced in Scotland, and reflects what our members have told us really matters to them.”
The manifesto can be read online here.
Featured Image Credit: Bipolar Scotland.
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