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Product Description
Stephen Fry presents this documentary exploring the disease of manic depression; a little understood but potentially devastating condition affecting an estimated two percent of the population. Stephen embarks on an emotional journey to meet fellow sufferers, and discuss the literal highs and lows of being bi-polar. Celebrities such as Carrie Fisher and Richard Dreyfuss invite the comedian into their home to relate their stories. Plus Stephen looks into the lives of ordinary people trying to deal with the illness at work and home, and of course to the people studying manic depression in an effort to better control it. A fascinating, moving and ultimately very entertaining Emmy Award-winning programme.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Cast/Crew Interview(s), Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Manic depression is a disease that's little talked about and little understood. This programme, presented by Stephen Fry, explores the highs and the lows, and the causes and the treatments of a condition that may affect as many as 2% of the population. Motivated by his own personal battle, the programme follows Stephen Fry on an emotional but entertaining journey that takes him into the homes of stars such as Carrie Fisher, Richard Dreyfuss and Rick Stein; into the lives of ordinary people who juggle this illness with their working lives; and into the surgeries of psychiatrists and the labs of researchers who are trying to help control the condition. In candid interviews, we hear tales of mood swings and extremes of behaviour that can leave a sufferer living like Jekyll and Hyde; with reckless aggression, crazy sex, wild decisions and criminal impulses all thrown in. And we hear about the lows that make you wonder how they survive. SCREENED/AWARDED AT: BAFTA Awards, Emmy Awards, ...Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Gus
I lost my brother to manic depression several years ago. I caught a couple of episodes of Stephen's documentary when it was originally broadcast but missed much of it as I live abroad. My mother had never seen it and we decided to get the DVD for her as a stocking-filler.
Stephen Fry tackles this little-known and often misunderstood illness with remarkable sensitivity and careful humour. The series is both entertaining and informative as Stephen seeks to better understand his own bi-polar illness. He talks with people from all walks of life, with doctors, mega-stars of stage and screen and "ordinary" people who suffer from or work with sufferers of this illness every day and his honesty about his own condition and his sincerity in seeking to draw others to be equally open about theirs makes this a very moving piece of work.For many people, diagnosis of their bi-polar manic depression comes after they have suffered for many years and have made at least one suicide attempt, for my brother his diagnosis came too late. I watched the DVD with my mother and we both had tears in our eyes at the end - she turned to me and said "That was your brother - if only we had known all this when he was still alive". I have a much better understanding of this dreadful illness now and when I think back to certain episodes with my brother I can see that it was his illness that was driving his life along such a self-destructive path. Thank you Stephen Fry for this piece of work, I can only recommend it most highly to anyone who suffers from or who knows someone who suffers from manic depression.
Stephen Fry tackles this little-known and often misunderstood illness with remarkable sensitivity and careful humour. The series is both entertaining and informative as Stephen seeks to better understand his own bi-polar illness. He talks with people from all walks of life, with doctors, mega-stars of stage and screen and "ordinary" people who suffer from or work with sufferers of this illness every day and his honesty about his own condition and his sincerity in seeking to draw others to be equally open about theirs makes this a very moving piece of work.For many people, diagnosis of their bi-polar manic depression comes after they have suffered for many years and have made at least one suicide attempt, for my brother his diagnosis came too late. I watched the DVD with my mother and we both had tears in our eyes at the end - she turned to me and said "That was your brother - if only we had known all this when he was still alive". I have a much better understanding of this dreadful illness now and when I think back to certain episodes with my brother I can see that it was his illness that was driving his life along such a self-destructive path. Thank you Stephen Fry for this piece of work, I can only recommend it most highly to anyone who suffers from or who knows someone who suffers from manic depression.
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been waiting for this brilliant programe to be placed on DVD since it was first aired.
If you,like myself are Bipolar/Manic Depressive then this is defaintly worth a watch it gives you a good insight in to other suffers life's thus showing it's not just you.
If you,like myself are Bipolar/Manic Depressive then this is defaintly worth a watch it gives you a good insight in to other suffers life's thus showing it's not just you.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Ferret
As a person recently diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, I purchased this DVD because I was interested to see/hear Stephen Frys' experience of the illness. I found the 'documentary' to be very informative and it has helped me to understand many of my own experiences of the illness.
The information given within the programme was clear, concise, easy to understand & with no jargon. Great for ANYONE to watch who wishes to understand more about bi-polar disorder!!!
A BIG THANKYOU to Stephen Fry, Richard Dreyfuss, Carrie Fisher and the many others who so openly shared their experiences and contributed to the making of this fantastic programme !!!
Further useful Literature :
Mood Mapping: Plot your way to emotional health and happiness
An Unquiet Mind
The information given within the programme was clear, concise, easy to understand & with no jargon. Great for ANYONE to watch who wishes to understand more about bi-polar disorder!!!
A BIG THANKYOU to Stephen Fry, Richard Dreyfuss, Carrie Fisher and the many others who so openly shared their experiences and contributed to the making of this fantastic programme !!!
Further useful Literature :
Mood Mapping: Plot your way to emotional health and happiness
An Unquiet Mind
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By pipoca
Thoughtful, funny and gives stigma towards mental health problems a massive kick in the pants. I work in mental health and having watched this many times, am still moved by it. Have used it to teach others about the experience of bipolar disorder. Thank you Stephen Fry and the producers for the best doco to give insight into mental health issues for many years
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By M. Tilford
I used this DVD to illustrate to medical students the experience of Bipolar disorder . It is a great teaching resource and not something they can learn from a book on psychiatry!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
I have nothing but praise for this documentary about the complex and difficult disease that is Bi-Polar Disorder or Manic Depression.
Stephen Fry himself suffers from Manic Depression and so he sets off in this documentary to meet people with the condition as well as Doctor's and Psychiatrist's.
The programme is very honest about the subject and its really encouraging to hear people with this condition speak so openly about their own experiences even if they happen to be well known in the cases when Stephen speaks to Carrie Fisher and Richard Dreyfuss about their battles with it.
I'd encourage everybody to watch this documentary as if you suffer from depression or another mental illness it lets you know your not alone and if you don't suffer you can appreciate what others maybe going through.
Stephen Fry himself suffers from Manic Depression and so he sets off in this documentary to meet people with the condition as well as Doctor's and Psychiatrist's.
The programme is very honest about the subject and its really encouraging to hear people with this condition speak so openly about their own experiences even if they happen to be well known in the cases when Stephen speaks to Carrie Fisher and Richard Dreyfuss about their battles with it.
I'd encourage everybody to watch this documentary as if you suffer from depression or another mental illness it lets you know your not alone and if you don't suffer you can appreciate what others maybe going through.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Florence
A moving insight into the anguished world of sufferers of bipolar disorder. An excellent DVD for people wanting more knowledge of this fraught subject,showing us that anybody,rich or poor can become victims to this illness. Stephen Fry is a great advocate for those of us who suffer the stigma of mental health issues.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Nici Z
Amazon Verified Purchase
Just got diagnosed with bipolar myself and have to say this DVD made me face it and understand it better. Helped a lot and very informative. Thank you, Stephen Fry for being so open.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking
Thought provoking but not depressing, as a fellow manic depressive it is both comforting and informative. It shows a wide variety of people and their really interesting stories.
Published 19 days ago by Sue benniman
5.0 out of 5 stars
BBC Booklet which goes with the dvd/series
A BBC Booklet was written about Bipolar/manic depression to go with the Stephen Fry series. The Booklet is The Secret Life of Manic Depression - it should be helpful... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Reviews from the UK
5.0 out of 5 stars
a must
If you have long periods of feeling REALLY good, then this show is for you. There is more to it.
Published 4 months ago by jeff upston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Revealing the Secrets
I was first introduced to this DVD by my ex-girlfriend, who wanted me to learn more about her condition, known more commonly as bipolar disorder. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Olly Parry-Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
I HAVE BI-POLAR TOO
Stephen Fry is a SAINT, this DVD Is a HONEST take on Bi-Polar Disorder. IT CAN AFFECT ALL SORTS OF PEOPLE, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. Read more
Published 5 months ago by JAY707
5.0 out of 5 stars
Everyone should watch this
Very imformative, striking and compassionate look at bipolar mania and depression. Features experience based contributions from ordinary and famous people. Read more
Published 6 months ago by MISS A
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Empathy of your plight as a fellow Bi Polar sufferer
Dear Mr Fry,
I have suffered from Bi Polar disorder from the age of 27 (I am now 54 years old). I viewed your documentary and it was very poignant. Read more
I have suffered from Bi Polar disorder from the age of 27 (I am now 54 years old). I viewed your documentary and it was very poignant. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Ms. Julie K. Dickson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Stephen Fry Talks Openly
This was a very interesting an informative DVD about depression by someone who has seen the roughest side of this horrible illness. Read more
Published 8 months ago by edel
1.0 out of 5 stars
Propaganda disguised as medical science.
I have I'm afraid to shatter the illusion that is being created here but "manic depression" is a cover-up for being a self-centred binge drinker. It's as corny as that! Read more
Published 9 months ago by G LEGGE
1.0 out of 5 stars
Worthless stuff
This was complete and utter rubbish. Mr. Fry suffers from the mildest form of a mental illness and makes a huge issue of it clearly demonstrating his true lack of understanding of... Read more
Published 10 months ago by JA Bermúdez-Silva
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