'Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive', is an excellent explanation of manic depression in terms of providing a greater understanding of the mental illness for those who are perhaps unaware of its effects. The introduction has a powerful impact on the viewer: a step by step recreation of Fry's suicide attempt creates a depth of awareness about the illness' extremes. The documentary is informative, providing facts that include symptoms such as hallucinations and shortness of temper, as well as the fact that women suffering from manic depression become more at risk in pregnancy and childbirth. Fry speaks to a variety of people, whether it be someone in the same industry as him or someone from a different background. These diverse sources help to define what it is to be manic depressive, and also what it is like to experience its effects from a family member's perspective. The documentary explores the notion that often the illness is passed off as 'bad behaviour', and consequently as an audience we become more aware of our behaviour and understanding towards other people. Conflicting ideas such as the contrasting opinions of British and American psychiatrists about whether or not to diagnose the illness at an early age, allows the audience to think for themselves. The programme, while informative, does not provide all of the answers. This is important in consideration of the vastness of the topic and relates to the fact that there are still only limited methods with which we can detect manic depression. The coinciding camera close- up of the modern technology involved in scientific research, and the doctor's description of our lack of ability to detect the illness through brain scans and gene tests, is particularly effective. It encompasses the notion that in a modern society, research is a work in progress and to develop this progress, it is important for the world's human population to have an awareness of its strengths as well as its limitations.

I have been diagnosed bipolar 1 and a half year ago and must say that, read, saw a lot about this. This documentary is by far the best I saw... I would suggest to any bipolar trying to explain what is manic depression about, to recommend this documentary. It shows different levels, aspects of the trouble with great humanity. Stephen Fry also shows how his environment perceives his trouble. A few aspects, however, could have been mentioned in the movie, particularly the heredity. My grand father and my uncle were also manic depressive and ended their lives miserably... Another criticism is about the Stephen Fry's personal choice. I can understand it as he has been successful in his career. However, owed to a certain discrimination, lost of manic depressive end up living in a permanent loneliness and sadness. At least, it was my case. For those people, and it is the case of the majority of bipolar people, there is no other choice than go for medication and therapy.

After suffering for many years with extreme swings in mood and feeling, Stephen Fry was diagnosed at age 37 as being bi-polar or suffering from being a manic depressive. Perceiving there to be a low awareness of this mental health problem, Fry investigates what it means to suffer from manic depression, meeting others who suffer from it in all walks of life – from the famous to the man in the street, from the old to the young children.I have a vague memory of my mother suffering from depression at one point in her life, or at least I'm pretty sure I do. We never really talked about it but I do recall her struggling to get out of bed for months but I do remember my understanding of it all being limited. So with that in mind I though I would catch up with this two-part film when it was shown recently on BBC4 as part of a season of films to mark Stephen Fry's 50th birthday. With the personal hook of his own condition, Fry meets people who also suffer and explores what it means to them.This exploration paints a picture of a crippling mental illness that takes people from moments of "normality" to the point where suicide is an option. This range of input does provide enough information to understand the scale of the condition and does go some way to helping even the cynic come around. Even watching the film I found myself occasionally thinking that it was just a bad mood that one could just shake oneself out of, but confronted with those suffering from it, it is hard to hold this view for long. The problem is that the personal hook that makes this film accessible via Fry is also a weakness as it does heavily rely on people talking as part of quite a personal investigation. This is lifted a bit in the second part of the film where Fry continues to talk to experts about the subject. That said, the personal approach is also a strength because it does keep the people in the fore rather than the disease. This approach does help increase understanding for those of us fortunate enough to have no frame of reference for it.Overall it is not a perfect film because it does rather meander at times but it is still an interesting look at a mostly misunderstood or dismissed condition that takes a "matter-of-factly" approach and benefits from it.

I was diagnosed with bi-polar in September 2000, and the greatest problem I have always had is to explain the condition to others. This documentary shows the good and the bad of bi-polar, (and trust me at times it can be very good.), from the everyday person on the street to the instantly recognizable celebrity who have it. Although I believe the focus is slightly more on the manic issues of the condition, this is understandable as this is where most of the anti-social aspects of the condition can appear, and depression is much more widely understood / accepted than mania. It took a huge leap of courage and faith for Stephen Fry to 'come out' and announce to the world that he has this condition, to talk about his suicide attempts, and to make it so public. I have shown this documentary to family, friends, workmates, anyone who will sit still, and it is the best resource I have available to try to explain the bi-polar. Once again, thank you very much Mr. Fry for helping spread the message, and giving me the courage to be more open about my bi-polar. I am forever in your debt.