We have all known about Stacey's bipolar for years but things are about to take a turn. EastEnders will feature one of it's most heartbreaking storylines when Stacey will battle a rare mental illness.
EastEnders have kept this secret until now, Stacey will battle postpartum psychosis, a rare illness that affects new mums causing hallucinations and mood changes.
Although postpartum psychosis can affect a woman without pre-existing mental health issues, it is more likely to affect a mother who has bipolar disorder.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the show’s executive producer, said: “Stacey’s mental health story will be one of our biggest storylines over Christmas and the beginning of 2016 as we explore Stacey’s bipolar disorder and its effects on her and those closest to her.
“We have always had a big commitment to Stacey’s story and this time we want to explore the effects of postpartum psychosis on those with bipolar - something which, although a rare illness, is unfortunately more common when mothers with bipolar give birth - and look at what we are doing as a country to help mothers experiencing this.”
Clare Dolman of Bipolar UK said: “There is a very high risk that women with bipolar will become ill when they have a child and 20-25% of them will have a postpartum psychosis so it’s fantastic that EastEnders are raising awareness of this devastating condition.
"When it happens it’s a psychiatric emergency, and yet it’s eminently treatable and the vast majority of women recover to be great mothers.”
She said that several of their volunteers visited the Eastenders studio to tell the writers and researchers what having this illness was like.
Alison Kerry of Mind added: “We have been working with the EastEnders team to develop this storyline over several months and have been impressed by the dedication they have shown in portraying postpartum psychosis sensitively.”
A source said: “It’s going to be an emotional Xmas to say the very least.”
If anyone is affected by the storyline, go to www.bipolaruk.org.uk or www.app-network.org.
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