You’ve probably heard her voice – that soulful, raw, totally captivating sound cutting through the noise. Lola Young, the South London powerhouse who came up through the prestigious BRIT School (like Adele and Amy Winehouse before her), has been making serious waves in the music scene. With tracks like “Don’t Hate Me” and her critically acclaimed EPs and album “My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely,” she’s cemented herself as an artist with depth, lyrical prowess, and a voice that demands attention. Her creativity isn’t just in her music; it’s in her whole vibe – authentic, honest, and unflinchingly real.
But part of Lola’s realness extends beyond her art. She’s been refreshingly open about her journey with mental health, specifically sharing her diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. This openness is huge, especially in an industry and world that often pressures artists (and honestly, all of us) to present a perfect, polished image.
Lola Young sheds light on mental health: Understanding schizoaffective and bipolar disorders
Wait, Schizoaffective? I Thought Maybe Bipolar? Let’s Break it Down.
It’s easy to see where confusion might arise, especially when dealing with complex mental health conditions. Both schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder can involve significant mood swings, including periods of intense energy and euphoria (mania or hypomania) and periods of deep sadness and low energy (depression). Lola herself has spoken about experiencing these intense highs and lows, which are hallmark symptoms often associated with bipolar disorder. It’s understandable why someone experiencing these might initially think, or be told, they have bipolar disorder.
So, what is the key difference? Let’s get into it, drawing from clinical understanding:
- What they have in common: Both can feature episodes of significantly elevated mood (mania/hypomania) and periods of depression. These mood shifts are often the most noticeable symptoms initially. They can also both, at times, involve psychotic symptoms (like delusions or hallucinations).
- The Crucial Difference: This is key: timing of psychosis. In bipolar disorder, psychotic symptoms typically happen during a severe manic or depressive episode. When the mood episode ends, the psychosis usually does too. In schizoaffective disorder, a person experiences the mood episodes (mania and/or depression) PLUS they experience periods of psychosis (like delusions or hallucinations) for at least two weeks even when their mood is stable (i.e., not manic or depressed). Essentially, with schizoaffective disorder, the psychosis has its own track, independent of the mood swings at times.
Think of it like this: Imagine your mood is like the weather – sunny (manic), stormy (depressed), or partly cloudy (mixed/stable). In bipolar disorder, extreme weather (severe mania/depression) might bring thunder and lightning (psychosis). Once the storm passes, the thunder/lightning stops. In schizoaffective disorder, you still get the sunny spells and storms, but sometimes, even on a calm, partly cloudy day, you still get thunder and lightning that hangs around on its own.
Lola Young has mentioned in interviews how the title of her album, “My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely,” is a “completely direct link” to her schizoaffective disorder, reflecting the “intrusive thought nature of the mind, and how it can wander very quickly in different directions“. She’s also talked about becoming “quite manic” when traveling due to her disorder.
Opening Up: The Double-Edged Sword of Sharing Online
Lola’s choice to be open is incredibly powerful. Here’s why sharing mental health journeys can be so beneficial:
- Crushes Stigma: Every story shared chips away at the outdated idea that mental health struggles are something to be hidden or ashamed of. It normalizes the conversation.
- Builds Connection: Hearing someone you admire (or anyone, really) talk about similar struggles makes you feel less alone. It creates community and validates experiences. Online groups provide peer support, empathy, and shared information, which research shows can be incredibly helpful.
- Encourages Help-Seeking: Seeing others get help and talk about it can empower people to take that step for themselves. Lola mentioned that being open has “given the leeway for other people to be open” and helped them feel like they belong.
But let’s be real, sharing personal stuff online, especially about mental health, isn’t always easy:
- The Troll Toll: The internet can be harsh. Unsolicited opinions, judgment, and downright mean comments are a reality.
- Misinformation Mayhem: Not everyone online is an expert. Bad advice or misinterpretations of complex conditions can spread easily.
- Comparison Culture: Seeing curated versions of others’ recovery or struggles can sometimes lead to unhelpful comparisons.
- Privacy Pressure: Deciding how much to share and dealing with the potential loss of privacy is a constant balancing act.
The Unique Pressures of Fame
For public figures like Lola, these challenges are amplified. There’s intense scrutiny on their every move, pressure to maintain an image, and the risk of having their experiences sensationalized or misinterpreted. They may feel isolated despite being surrounded by people, struggle with trust, and face burnout from constant demands. Choosing to be vulnerable in that spotlight takes immense courage.
Is It Time to Check In? Signs You Might Need Support
If you’re reading this and parts of Lola’s story or the descriptions resonate, or if you’re just feeling off, here are some general signs it might be time to seek professional help:
- Persistent Sadness or Hopelessness: Feeling down, empty, or worthless most of the time.
- Extreme Mood Swings: Going from feeling super high, energetic, and impulsive (mania/hypomania) to very low and lacking energy (depression).
- Changes in Thinking or Perception: Experiencing thoughts that feel intrusive or aren’t based in reality (delusions), or seeing/hearing things others don’t (hallucinations). Disorganized thinking or speech can also be a sign.
- Withdrawal: Pulling away from friends, family, and activities you used to enjoy.
- Significant Difficulty Functioning: Struggling to keep up with work, school, or basic daily tasks.
- Changes in Sleep or Appetite: Sleeping way too much or too little; significant weight gain or loss.
- Thoughts of Harming Yourself: This is always a sign to seek help immediately.
Important: This isn’t a diagnostic tool! Only a qualified professional can provide a diagnosis. But if these feel familiar, reaching out is a brave first step.
Getting Help: What Does Treatment Look Like?
If you decide to seek help, know that you are not alone, and effective treatments are available.
- Diagnosis is Key: The first step is getting an accurate diagnosis from a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. This is crucial because treatments for schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder differ (though there’s overlap).
- Treatment Often Involves:
- Medication: Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and sometimes antidepressants are often used, tailored to the specific diagnosis and symptoms. Finding the right medication(s) and dosage can take time and collaboration with your doctor.
- Therapy (Psychotherapy): Talk therapy is vital. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and family-focused therapy can help you develop coping skills, manage symptoms, understand triggers, improve relationships, and navigate challenges.
- Support Systems: Connecting with support groups (online or in-person) and leaning on supportive friends and family makes a huge difference.
- What to Expect: Treatment is a journey, not a quick fix. It takes time – sometimes weeks or months – to find the right treatment plan and see significant improvement. The goal isn’t necessarily a “cure,” but rather effective symptom management, improved daily functioning, better quality of life, and learning to live well with the condition. Progress isn’t always linear; there might be ups and downs, but sticking with treatment offers the best path forward.
Wrapping It Up: Lola’s Legacy (So Far!)
Lola Young is more than just an incredible musical talent; she’s a powerful voice normalizing conversations about complex mental health conditions. Her openness about living with schizoaffective disorder highlights the importance of understanding these conditions, including how they differ from others like bipolar disorder – particularly regarding the presence of psychosis outside of mood episodes.
Sharing these personal stories, while facing the challenges of online scrutiny (especially for public figures), ultimately helps reduce stigma and encourages others to seek help. Recognizing the signs that you might need support and reaching out for professional diagnosis and treatment is a sign of strength. Treatment takes time and commitment, often involving medication, therapy, and support, but it offers a pathway to managing symptoms and living a fulfilling life.
Lola’s journey reminds us that vulnerability is powerful, understanding is key, and seeking help is always the right move.
By Jace A.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you are concerned about your mental health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
