Don't you feel that EastEnders is not showing Stacey's bipolar disorder? It's almost like she never had it when you see her on screen.

It's only referred to after she's killed someone. It's her get out of jail free card.

Yes, just like Nancy's epilepsy was forgotten for ages then she had one other fit. I'm looking forward to Paul's diabetes storyline and hope the writers get it correct. I would like to see a bit more story around these illnesses like what can trigger an epileptic fit for example. Also people with mental health illnesses like schizophrenia and bi polar can still become ill even when taking medication properly. I'd like to see Stacey have a new "breakdown" / new symptoms. I would also like to see soap bosses and writers include the disgusting tory clampdown on sick and disabled peoples' benefits in a storyline. I won't hold my breath though.

yeah, right now, Stacey seems to be the most popular person on the square, which seems a bit off, from reality. Max, Martin, & Kush all want her, & she is the confessional person for Linda, Kat & Alfie. Not too realistic.

Hypersexuality is quite a significant symptom for many who suffer BD. I'd love to see the Kush/Stacey affair be an indicator for another downward spiral/manic episode for her. Kat and Alfie leaving could have been a trigger.

I hate when EE do huge storylines like the bipolar and never revisit it. Where's the depression? Where's the hypomania? Was she Bipolar 1 or 2? Could she have a comorbid illness like alcoholism (which has been done to death on EE) or an eating disorder? I'd love EE to do an eating disorder (EDNOS specifically because people don't take it seriously) storyline. Did she ever suffer psychosis? What about the medication? Surely she needs to change her meds at some point because her body has become tolerant to the dosage. What about counselling? After so many years of being mania/depression free (presumably) maybe she wants to stop taking meds and try counselling as an alternative coping method. What about an addiction to medication? There is so much they can do with her but instead they force this ridiculous affair on us.

Brilliant and well researched post. Excuse my ignorance but what does EDNOS stand for?

I would like to see a psychosis storyline. I've had psychotic episodes and paranoid delusions and those times are terrifying. I remember a schizophrenia storyline a very long time ago but I think it needs revisiting.

EDIT
https://www.b-eat.co.uk/about-eating...disorder/ednos

I looked up the EDNOS eating disorder. I think B-EAT is a respected organisation so I've used their link. I've experienced panic when eating. Not so much any more but definitely in my 20s-30s.

Excellent post.

I'm glad they don't revisit it. This is the problem with these sensationalistic storylines, nobody really wants to see the day to day struggles a person has to go through in the long term, it doesn't make good TV.

I think soaps are all about the day to day struggles (in between deaths and disasters, of course). Isn't that part of their appeal?

No, exactly the opposite. Soaps aren't supposed to be a reality show.

Stacey having a relapse would be good

I don't think it has been forgotten about, it is just that is is currently adequately managed by her medication. Were she to stop taking her tablets, she would relapse very quickly.

I actually think it is a good way of dealing with it, they are showing that if you get the correct help and follow medical advice, the condition doesn't have to ruin your life.

Does a Diabetic refer to thsie illness all the time? In my experience, no they don't. They just take their insulin and/or tablets, check their blood sugar, watch their diet and get on with it without broadcasting it to all and sundry.

Same with Nancy's epilepsy. Why do people want it 'referred to' all the time? People suffering from these conditions just get on with their lives, it doesn't consume them.

I hadn't seen this when I'd posted and didn't know Paul was diabetic.

Yes of course people can still relapse even when on the correct medication. Stress can be a factor, with something like Diabeties, infections, mental disorders you can build up a tolerance to meds so they need changing and that should be reflected. In the case of Diabeties it would be good to show the consequences of somebody skipping taking their insulin or eating adequately afterwards or perhaps somebody else not understanding the condition so giving them normal rather than diet coke or spiking their drink with alcohol so they have a hypo but I do also think it is important to show that whilst sufferers have to bresponsible re taking their medications and monitoring themselves, a person can still have a relatively normal life and part of that will it not being what defines them, in other words they don't have to be talking about it all the time.

I think they've handled Nancy well, the important people (her family) already know she has it, they are aware of the warning signs (Babe noticing her 'zoning out' before her last attack) but know that molly coddling her isn't the answer so just let it be most of the time. They don't let it define her but know what to do should an attack happen. The fact is people can go months or even longer between attacks, why shouldn't EE reflect that?

Of course the other fact is that no two people's reactions to illness (even the same illness) is exactly the same. Some people will be very severely diabetic or epileptic, having frequent attacks despite following their med schedule etc to the letter whilst others will be basically okay most of the time, to the extent that most other people don't even know they have the condition. Again, i think they"ve shown this with Stacey and Jean - even when both taking their meds and 'well' they act very differently - Jean is just much more nervous, anxious and 'jittery'. Indeed she actually gets calmer the iller she gets. But that might be to do with the severity of the condition or just that they have very different personalities in the first place, bi polar or no bi polar

This is why i tend to discount the cries of "they're doing it wrong because i have that and that's not how i am". Fair enough, it probably isn't but it may well be somebody else's experience of it, plus heightened by the melodrama of being a Soap character of course.

Yes, i've just expanded on that, including Nancy in another post. We crossed x

Just because a character has a disorder (bipolar, epilepsy etc) doesn't mean they need to mention it in every scene.

I think it's pretty accurate - and I know people with both of the above - they hardly mention it to be honest, they just get on with life.

I'm not sure stacey's original bi-polar storyline was sensationilst - at least not until they retrospectively decided to use it as mitigation for her killing somebody. Yes, seeing her be sectioned was very dramatic but it is true to life for many people - my husband is bi-polar and was sectioned, kicking and screaming all the way. However, he has not had a relapse for over 15 years so i know from personal experience that with the right treatment it is manageable and believe me, it doesn't actually come up in conversation all the time. Neither does my clinical Depression which I'm on medication and other treatment for. Yes, if i'm having a bad turn i'll talk about it, report on what has been said by my Doctor after my check ups but whst most people know and will ask how i an from time to time, it does not dominate things.

It's the same with the several people i know that also have long term MH issues, Diabeties, Epilepsy etc. It is isn't something the sufferers are ashamed of or try ti hide so will talk about it if the subject comes up or they are specifically asked but they don't volantEer the info to new people or go on and on about it to people that already know.

Therefore, as i say, i find it realistic that Nancy's Epilepsy and stacey's Bi-Polar aren't constantly referenced in general conversation on screen or featured as relapses a lot.

I agree with you, especially about Nancy's epilepsy. It's good that it doesn't define her.

I wouldn't be surprised if Stacey's upcoming affair with Kush is a lead-in to another manic episode - she either becomes hypersexual and the affair is a product of that, or Shabnam discovers the affair and Stacey descends into mania due to the stress and guilt of hurting her friend.

I don't think Paul was initially written as having diabetes, but this was changed because Johnny Labey is a diabetic. While it isn't necessary, I think it's a good move as the actor would typically have a lot of personal insight into managing the condition. I also suspect that Paul's diabetes will eventually expose his affair with Ben, but that's just a guess right now.

The anti pshycotic medication must be keeping it at bay, that is what is prescribed for bipolar disorder.

Stacey isn't necessarily taking an anti-psychotic. She could very well be on lithium or another mood stabilizer, which are also very commonly prescribed to people with bipolar disorder.

I wish my bipolar goes like hers

Thanks! I've been researching because my GP thinks I suffer bipolar so I'm getting checked out for it next week.

EDNOS is Eating Disorder Otherwise Specified. It's basically the name given to sufferers of eating disorders who don't fit the full criteria for those eating disorders, or sufferers who may swing between or have symptoms from more than one eating disorder. I personally don't agree with it. I was clinically diagnosed with EDNOS but I personally think I should have been diagnosed with anorexia. I fit the entire criteria for anorexia except for the BMI (I have a normal BMI) and periods (I still get mine). EDNOS gets nowhere near as much recognition or even respect because the name itself downplays the severity of it.

I've had bipolar 8 years