Replies to '08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows'

My  79 yr old father is in the late stages of Alzheimer's disease.My 23 yr old daughter was diagnosed with early onset bipolar disorder at the age of 14, which was triggered by the sudden and unexpected death of her beloved father/my dear husband 6 months prior to that. Both suffer from no-fault, neuro-biological brain disorders where the presenting symptoms are abnormal behavior and thinking, which may appear to be within their control but it is not. Their ability to accept and understand their illness is also difficult because it is their brain that is not working properly. Besides Alzheimer's disease and bipolar disorder, our family history, past and present,  includes depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, eating disorders, Tourette's, mood disorders and other brain illnesses. Most of my family members have college degrees and are completely functional and productive members of society---with medication and treatment.  

Whether it is a stroke, bipolar disorder, a traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, major depression or other neurobiological brain disorders, one's whole physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional and spiritual self is affected. The lives lost to and chronic disability from these disorders are incredible. Most people understand and are compassionate about cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other "medical" impairments. But that is frequently not so with brain disorders. That's why terms like "going psycho, schizo, looney, mental, nuts, crazy" are such incorrect and stigmatizing words. These illnesses are as real, devastating, painful and life threatening as the other previously mentioned diseases. That many states still do not  require health insurance companies to give parity for "mental illnesses" and their treatment is deplorable. 

I was skeptical when I heard about Dr. Phil's show on bipolar disorder, concerned that it would be sensationalized and dismissed. I watched it intently and applaud his approach with the two guests, the information presented, his insight, compassion and the challenge and help he offered to his guests. "Knowlege is necessity" and Dr. Phil hopefully enlightened many, many viewers and gave people hope. I encourage viewers to contact their local NAMI chapter and the NAMI website for excellent info, classes and support groups. I also recommend  the Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation and NARSAD organizations on-line for more information. 

As a mother who has dealt with the ongoing issues related to bipolar disorder for my dear daughter, I can say that this has been the biggest challenge in my almost 55 years, especially trying to find help and a safety net (other than me) for this talented and creative young woman. She has been doing better with the help of newer medications (although the side effects have included substantial weight gain and acne----pretty awful when your self-esteem is almost zero and you're female in this appearance-obsessed culture!!) but this illness along with the trauma of losing her dad at a very fragile age has absolutely decimated her life. My husband's death was the absolute worst loss I have ever faced but it pales in comparison to what I've been through with my daughter. It is an on-going loss for both of us and I'm filled with deep sadness, fear, frustration and helplessness on a daily basis. I will always have hope but it appears that this illness, even with treatment, will be chronic and without resolution. That she is alive today is a true miracle and I hold onto that.