I watched the show tonite to stave off depression, and searching for some hope. I was struck by the profound revelations that there were more for the solution than against it. In many ways my life resembles that of the mother, because my wife feels the same way as the boy with the hair on his face. He was too young to understand the struggle to be right, that goes on in your head and not being able to do anything about it. I cried when a solution was presented that represented hope. Something we all need, which is someone to step in and be that friend, which says if you are willing I am willing to go with you. But you have to want to do it for yourself. There are so many out there like me that would jump at the chance just to have that someone. But I know there is too much scorched earth behind me that most (unless you have bipolar disorder) simply do not realize is part of the disease. You do destructive things that hurt people who cannot get over the pain without help themselves, unfortunately families, friends, and acquaintances, move on to higher ground when you need the help the most.
And then there is the man, who thought he was ok, but only to find out that he needed more help, brainworks really seemed to help. Goes to show what happens on the other side of things when you have family who are in it with you. The lady knew she needed help and sought it in a letter, the man on the other hand had friends, and family who sought the help (from what I saw) One thing that struck me about him was that he seemed to be riding above the disease, trying to justify his condition in some way. Now those of us who suffer either from I or II realize it is a coping mechanism, and yet, it is the only way to survive this is to believe that things will get better.
I too understand the costs of the disease in the way of social stigma, as well as financial. I find it hard to get the money each month for my dosage, and the funny thing is that if you live in SF, trying to keep your family together, that again has the attitude of the young boy, you fight two battles the first that the system does not recognize your need for help, because of the income level the unsupportive member, and the battle to reform yourself so that trust can be established to bring the balance in your life with the ones you love. You cannot be to right or to left in your discussions with anyone, because it either seems insincere, or manipulative, you are in some ways stuck in a vice of not being able to cry out for help, because those that would answer are tired of the scorched earth that has occurred in the past, and those unfamiliar with the issue feeling that you are capable of getting yourself together, you just need to get a job. Neither of which is possible without some sort of support that most are unwilling to engage in because it is simply too time consuming against the things that matter most in their own lives. I wish there was some help for people like that.
Kind of like the lottery, the one time you do not expect to win is when you do, the odds are against it, and reality says you should not engage such a dream, but faith and hope makes you do it anyway. Kind of like this posting, I have Hope and Faith that somewhere there is an answer out there for me.
(Original Air Date: 03/07/06) Dr. Phil explores the ups and downs of bipolar disorder. This illness takes its victims on an emotional rollercoaster ride -- from elation to extreme irritability, intense rage, or devastating depression. First, Cathy was diagnosed with Bipolar II, 10 years ago and claims she goes from zero to psycho in 15 seconds. Dr. Phil takes a look at the toll her disorder takes on her two boys, and brings the family together for a dramatic moment of emotional healing. Then, during various manic episodes, Fred has stolen a taxi, crashed into a Starbucks, and climbed to the top of a church. He hears voices and believes that movie stars like Denzel Washington and Robert De Niro are talking to him through their movies. Still, Fred thinks he’s ready to move out of his parents’ house and live on his own for good … but should his family let him? Talk about the show here.
