Dbsalliance

People joke around with the words "bipolar," "ADD," "OCD," or "Retard" everyday. People do get hurt--people living with these conditions and the people who love them. Language can be a powerful tool that either creates stigma or compassion. This interview with an 18-year old girl named Sara, who has bipolar disorder, is the first installment in a series called "In Other Words," which walks us through the lives of people living with the aforementioned mental health conditions. Sara describes her reaction to how bipolar is used in a Katy Perry song and an episode of Glee (with Gwyneth Paltrow as substitute teacher Holly Holiday). Food for Thought/Suggestions for Comments: Do you get offended when people toss words like Bipolar, ADD, OCD, and Retard around in everyday language? Can you relate to Sara's struggles with depression or mania? Were you encouraged by Sara's success?