I'd not take that statistic as gospel, there have been a number of estimates out there and there are some logical flaws (ie it does not count the undiagnosed) but the suicide attempt rate is certainly a lot higher than the rest of the population.

But even if you accept that stat (and it is higher than the ones I've seen and I really wonder about some of the thing Kay says having read her own research), then 50% don't attempt suicide ever.

Try not to worry.

when i read those books i think to myself:

if ya look at how many people are misdiagnosed one bein myself as ADHD in the very beginning & all the mislabels that are dx'd cause they just dont know.. how do they REALLY know bipolar makes the 50 %? i know my button is anxiety and its in addition to bipolar.

it is hard ta manage & i think a lot of its circumstantial and obviously irrational thinkin when it comes to committing the act. JMO it is nice ta see someone trying to bring awareness to the problem tho.

very glad u came ta realize it does take hard work & u are proud of urself :) peace to u

*not a big book reader* internet ;)

so should that read 50% suicide attempt rate? and it is proably higher than that if the statistics were fully known. so many go unreported and so many are mistaken for other things like car accidents etc. kay jameson is a great read and a wonderful pioneer for bps everwhere. read A. Alverez. 'a savage god' about sylvia plath too. it is an excellent read. did you read jameson's 'an unquiet mind'? also a must read. google death rates from bipolar and you will see that in fact only 1% of people with bipolar die from suicide while 15 to 20% of people die from the disease (from other related causes) each year. the statistics can be frightening but people do need to more aware of what a serious illness it is so that those who have it learn to take care of themselves more and those who don't learn to have a little bit more respect for those who do.

Kay Jamison has done so much to bring attention to BP... She's been a wonderful advocate and shows as well that BP doesn't have to stop you from being successful... Amazing lady....x

It's really scary when you read the statistics. I try to tell myself that I'm not going to be a statistic, but it's a struggle every minute of every day. People who don't have it expect us to just pick up and go on. They don't have the slightest idea what we go thru or feel like.

I just believe the more educated we get about how serious this disorder is and how to manage it is very very important to a better life. If the facility doesn't educate well then it is the patients responsibility to learn everything they can to manage.

The book took a poll and poll's can't reach everyone. But what your saying is a valid point that helps to motivate us to make our recovery a commitment.

It's also worth adding that since that book was written the figures quoted in research are at least 25% make one attempt , and it might be as high as 50%.

Basically with that margin of error they don't really know, but the feeling is that it is at minimum 25%.

I noticed a tendancy in Kay's work towards making assertions that weren't really fully grounded and alot of it seemed to be anecdotal.

So I'd caution taking her estimates as being accurate.

Thk u all so much for your replies ad the discussion. Of course - i realize to take these stats with a grain of salt. And yes, i did read "unquiet mind" which was wonderful. I also have that book about virginia woolf next in my queue. Lol. Yah. Reading the book has maknly made me realizd how much stigma there still is still associated with mental illness, esp the more severe kinds like BPD - and how mush we need to bring awareness to it.
Thx all again. It helps to know im not alone in this :)

I love her book An Unquiet Mind. She really reminds me that even with this disease we can still be successful and have happy lives. She has been a wonderful advocate and I wouold truly consider her research and statistics to be close if not right on the money. She has dedicated her life to understanding and helping those with bipolar disorder. Thanks for telling us about this book it sounds like one I would like to read.