Not long ago, I was guilty of using the word “retarded” to describe something unfavorable. Just by reading that word I am sure the hair on the back of your neck bristles. But stick with me on this.

After working with my special needs nephew, the r-word left my vocabulary completely. After my initial encounter with him, I would never use the r-word again to describe someone with special needs. All it took was a little education and a willingness to learn.

Many of us use the vernacular they grow up hearing without thinking what it might mean to another person. And just as the r-word should be eradicated as an adjective for something or someone stupid, so should the word bipolar.

Disabilities and mental illnesses such as Bipolar Disorder should not be used as adjectives to describe persons, places or things that may seem a little out of the ordinary.

There are PLENTY of other words you can use. The word “bipolar” when used an adjective is to mean crazy or moody. Well, there you go—I gave you two words.

Using the word Bipolar to describe things such as the weather or a person having a bad day is wrong. I want to tell this to the news anchor who just said it, and I want to tell it to the singer who uses it in her songs. I want to tell it to the people on Facebook who use it so carelessly.

Many terms have been banned from everyday vocabulary because they aren’t politically correct. Let’s make Bipolar as an adjective one of them. If it takes getting to know someone who does, in fact, actually manage the illness, then consider your visit to this website an introduction. Now you have no excuse.