Honest Video Captures The Real Problem With Mental Illness Stigma

When someone has cancer, society doesn't label them or criticize them for their disease. So why isn't the same standard extended to those with a mental illness?

People are not defined by their health conditions -- and there's no further proof than the BuzzFeed video above. People of all ages with bipolar disorder dive into the labels they've been slapped with based on their diagnoses and how they refuse to let these labels stand in the way of a happy and productive life.

"I'm bipolar, but I don't define myself by an illness," one woman says in the video.

The participants also get real about what it's like to deal with the condition, which affects approximately 6 million American adults. The illness can cause dramatic shifts in mood and an inability to perform daily tasks, but with the right treatment, it's entirely manageable, they stressed.

Most importantly? There's strength in speaking out.

"I promise you that when you speak and ask for help and talk about it, you will realize that you are not the only person dealing with this," another woman explains. "You are not alone."

Check out the full video above to hear more participants talk about bipoloar disorder.

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