Comments on: “Hello. My name is Pat. I have bi-polar disorder.”

By: John M. Cooper

John M. Cooper — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:03:15 +0000

I have alternated between a diagnosis of Severe Chronic Depression and my most recent diagnosis of BiPolar Type II. Beware the lows. Although we don’t have the “classic” mania of Type I suffers, we pay for it with the capacity for devastatingly deep depression. That means we are at high risk for suicide. Although medication is essential (especially finding the right one or ones), healing any old wounds, developing some coping skills, and having a safety plan are all really important.

I’m not “there” yet. My latest diagnosis is nearly two years old, and yet it rankles. I was comfortable being depresssed, but I feel like my self-determination is sapped by “bipolar.” Time will tell . . .

By: Patrick Vecchio

Patrick Vecchio — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:00:38 +0000

You’ve said a lot in just a few words, Russ, and they resonate with me. Thank you for reading and for adding your insight and perspective.

By: Russ Wellen

Russ Wellen — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:51:04 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Patrick. As a person who fought mental illness when young (OCD; chemical imbalance), I sometimes get down on myself for not having achieved more in the way of conventional success. I then have to remind myself of how much I’ve overcome just to get where I am today.

Perhaps you can relate to this: Nothing I ever do will surpass just getting my mental illness under control.

By: Patrick Vecchio

Patrick Vecchio — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:30:51 +0000

You’re right about the “traumatic path of self-discovery.” When my primary care physician first used the words “mental illness,” I felt as if I were dreaming. It’s a bit of a heart punch to hear it.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

By: vladimir_dt

vladimir_dt — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:20:47 +0000

An excellent self analysis. Thank you for sharing what can be a very painful and traumatic path of self-discovery. I’ve friends who have the problem, and with good meds and proper diet are at least on a road to better times.

Thanks again.

By: Patrick Vecchio

Patrick Vecchio — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:56:55 +0000

Thanks for the kind words and for passing the post along, Denny. If this helps just one other person, then it has been worth it.

By: Dr. Denny

Dr. Denny — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:02:46 +0000

Well done, sir. I’ve passed it on to friends who suffer the malady. I know it will help them.

By: Patrick Vecchio

Patrick Vecchio — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:30:27 +0000

I can relate to the Fields character; I guess I’m glad my lows outnumbered the highs, or I’d still be floundering.

The title was a slip of the mind â€” carelessness, and indicative of the other mental baggage I lug around. Fortunately, I’ve learned how to forgive myself instead of beating myself up for mistakes!

Thank you for reading and commenting.

By: Djerrid

Djerrid — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:10:36 +0000

Thanks for sharing Pat. I’m reminded of Sally Field’s wonderful portrayal of bipolar as a guest star on “ER”. Even though the meds worked for her, she liked the highs so much that she didn’t want to give them up for all the lows in the world, so she skipped her meds. Kudos for recognizing what you had, getting help and keeping on top of it.