O'Connor Says Bipolar Diagnosis Saved Her from Suicide

(October 4, 2007) -- CHICAGO (AP) — Sinead O’Connor said before being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she struggled with thoughts of suicide and overwhelming fear.

"It’s like being a bucket with holes in it. Just leaking tears from every pore," O’Connor, 40, said on Thursday’s The Oprah Winfrey Show, her closely cropped hair now grey.

She said she attempted suicide on her 33rd birthday but gave no details. She was diagnosed nearly four years ago as having bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression.

O’Connor now takes mood stabilizers and antidepressants, as well as drugs to help her sleep. They have helped her become more balanced but "It’s a work in progress," she said.

"I’m not going to sit here and claim that I’m kinda perfect or anything. Anything is an improvement when you’ve been in desolation . . . to be out of that place is brilliant. It doesn’t mean you don’t have lumps and bumps."

The medications also have provided a "scaffolding" to help her to work on recovering from abuse she suffered as a child, O’Connor said. She no longer thinks of suicide.

"I’m certainly out of despair, which is great," she said.

Source: The Chronic Herald

Last updated: 10/07

Related Information:

• Comorbidities Common in Bipolar Disorder, May Have Genetic Link
• Researchers Make Great Leap in Understanding Bipolar Disorder
• Lithium Builds Gray Matter In Bipolar Brains, UCLA Study Shows
• How to Diagnose Bipolar and Similar Conditions
• Internal Body Clock Linked to Mania in Mice
• Record Gift To Fund New Center
• Diagnosing And Treating Bipolar Disorder
• Addictions and Dual Diagnosis - Conference Transcript
• Types of Bipolar Medications: Antidepressants and Antipsychotics
• Effects of Untreated or Undertreated Bipolar Disorder
• Is Bipolar Disorder A Biochemical Problem or Something That's Inherited?
• Researchers Identify Gene Involved in Bipolar Disorder
• Genetics of Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia Have Similar Genetic Roots
• Bipolar Disorder Often Missed
• Finding Bipolar Disorder with MRI
• Just Diagnosed With Bipolar - A Guide
• Symptoms of Bipolar: Mania and Depression
• Early Warning Signs of a Relapse or Oncoming Episode
• Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• How to Manage a Manic Episode
• Bipolar Patients Show Differences in MRI
• Brain Damage From Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar FAQs - Answers All Your Basic Questions
• What Causes Bipolar Disorder??
• How to Diagnose Bipolar and Similar Conditions
• Bipolar Disorder in Children: How Common Is it?
• Bipolar is a Serious Psychiatric Condition
• How To Survive Bipolar Disorder
• Family-Focused Therapy Helps Bipolar Patients Cope

back to top ~ bipolar news index ~ send page to a friend