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Eastenders character Stacey Slater suffers from Bipolar Disorder.

It’s a great look when an iconic television series such as the EastEnders from the United Kingdom addresses serious mental health issues with it’s young adult characters. Specifically, character Stacey Slater suffers from bipolar disorder. Hopefully, the show will generate interest and awareness amongst it’s audience to learn more and perhaps even seek help.

Eastenders Bipolar Story helps young seek advice by Brandice Alexander Newsbeat reporter

EastEnders character Stacey Slater highlighted the problems of bipolar sufferers.

The number of 18 to 24-year-olds seeking help for bipolar disorder has doubled in the past six months, according to doctors.

The number of young people calling helplines went from around 400 a day to an average of more than 800. MDF, The BiPolar Organisation, believe it’s down to the storyline in BBC One soap EastEnders featuring the character Stacey Slater. Bipolar is a mental disorder which affects more than half a million people in the UK. It makes people’s mood go from very low, making you feel depressed, to extreme highs known as mania and is often diagnosed between the ages of 18 and 24.

‘Happy chemicals’

Twenty-two-year-old Gary from Lincoln is bipolar but was wrongly diagnosed with depression at first.

“When I was diagnosed with depression I was glad that the doctors thought they knew what was wrong with me,” he said.

“I was given antidepressants. I would’ve preferred speech therapy though. The antidepressants made me really high. I had too much energy.

For the rest of the article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/health/newsid_10000000/newsid_10004400/10004491.stm