Replies to 'Bipolar Disorder'

I went to the message board looking for "schziphrenia" as a topic.  I chose bipolar disorder because it was the closest thing to it.  I don't know if I am happy or sad to find your posting.

I have been dealing with the same problem your son has for the past 3 years.  My son was identified as  having a psychoitc break, schziphrenic and schzio-affevetive.  No one knows for sure.  He was first arrested for making "terrorist threats against my husband.  He has been "Baker-Acted" at least 2 times and I feel he needs it again.

I know the heartbreak you feel when you look into those "empty eyes" instead of the bright magical eyes that used to be your son's.  I know the fear and saddness you have begging police officers not to hurt your baby....even when you are the one who called them to come.  I know the fear you have that your child may hurt you or possibly kill you.  My son broke my arm and my collarbone about 10 months ago during an arguement over his not taking his meds and abusing drugs and alcohol.

I am not sure what can be done because this is not a" likable deciese".  I wish I was smart enough to come up with that phase....but I borrowed it from a download I read from a hospital in Canada that specializes with this desiese.   It was their posting that jerked me out of denial.

NAMI, in my opinion is useless.....they have not helped us once in the year we have been in Florida.  Federal and State efforts are useless.  When my son was approved for Social Security Disability, he lost his medical coverage from the state.  The only reason he has any meds now, is that I wrote the company that produces Abilify and they sent us 3 months worth of meds (Good thing because the meds run $650.00 a month).  So my son no longer gets to meet with a psychiatrist for those lovely 15 minutes a week. 

I would like to find more mothers like you who have children who have this desiese.  I would like to have a support group of sorts to help me as I try to help my child live with this horrible desiese.  I know I have made many mistakes, however, I am still trying.  I try because without me, my son would have no one to look after him.  And given the lack of services available for the mentally ill, he would probably become homeless.

I wish I could provide you some help and advise....but I am looking for the same myself.  I hope Dr. Phil's staff will give you my telephone number so we can talk about this sometime.

Take care of yourself and your son.

Judy

I hope your son is doing better now.  I understand mental illness very well.  I have suffered from manic-depression for over 18 yrs.  It can be very painfull and it can cause much pain for those that love their mentally ill family member or friend.  All I can say is to tell your son to not give up hope.  I have been mentally and emotionally stable for several years now  but it took alot of effort on my part to get well.  I educated myself on my illness and went thru several doctors and medications and therapy until I started feeling better.  Many prayers I have said to God over the years to help me heal.  It took 15 yrs until I found the right medication that worked for me.  I also had to get over my emotional pain by letting go of my anger and forgiving those that hurt me and asking forgiveness from those that I hurt.  I became very intune with my feelings and eventually knew when I was not feeling right and could catch myself before things got bad.

It is a life long illness in most cases.  So he must learn to deal with it and do what ever he can to make himself well.  Only he can heal himself.  He has to want it bad enough and do whatever it takes to become well.  Don't give up!