"This Fragile Life" is the story of a bipolar son, through the lens of the mother. The son, Mark, not only battles manic-depressive illness but also his drug and alcohol addiction. During his manic phases, he becomes extremely paranoid and aggressive. He is convinced that people, even ones dear to him, are out to [...]
Regarding the recent Washington Post article on a sister's suicide, I was asked what I would do if I were in the sister's shoes... Would I speak out about my sister's suicide? Would I keep such information private? Here was my response: Given my personal struggle with mental illness (including [...]
Sometimes, the people that you think you are supposed to teach... end up teaching YOU a lesson. My little sister is one of those special people. She is: sassy sarcastic brilliant beautiful strong determined blunt tomboyish funny a bibliophile goal-oriented very open supportive ...the best "little" sister a person could ever hope for. Every [...]
My side: Hey! Whenever you have the time, can you call back? It's not urgent... I'd just rather talk than text. Doesn't have to be today. It would be helpful to hear what your take on my behavior approximately a year ago was.. the "manic symptoms" you perceived me to have. I [...]
Yikes. A social support system for someone going through something like this is ESSENTIAL. What is not helpful is phrases which minimize the depression or mania or situation as a whole, such as... Excuse me?? I'm not the best person to tell this stuff to. Why don't you talk [...]
The Calculating Mind 