Comments on: Chronic Mental illnesses, Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorders: Which You Think Terrible Disease?

By: kez

kez — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:54:16 +0000

how do u explain to your children why you keep having to go away and how do you stop your illness from affecting there lifes, when the doctors cant find the right med,s an have to keep changing it…which means more time in hospital.
will these children grow up with mental ilnesses as a result.

By: GAIL

GAIL — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:25:37 +0000

my sister suffers from schizophrenia, and, it is only because of the recent advances in medications that she and I are now able to be the the same room together. Actually, we are best friends now, in as much as one can be with someone who has the disease. Growing up,, she was extremely hostile towards me to the point of what I would label torture. I would have to lock myself in my parents bedroom when ever they would leave us alone ecause of the beatings I received at her hand. My parents were quite ignorant, my father mainly. Anyway, it is only because of this new drug Abilify that Michelle and I can have an almost normal relationship, however guarded. I look at her now and can only shake my head in absolute amazement that a little pill has given a monster a new lease on life. I thank God now for my dear sister, rather than praying to him for protection.

Gail Lynne
freehold,New Jersey

By: Ruthann Adamsky

Ruthann Adamsky — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:02:33 +0000

To John Dawson; As a pharmacy technician, I fill prescriptions for litium every day of the week.
To Erecilla Mims; I tried Jesus Christ and nothing makes the depression go away. Please don’t talk about what you don’t understand. If I am going to Heaven for my faith, why should I be in Hell on Earth?
Why are people so mean?

By: Jordan

Jordan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:34:09 +0000

I’m a 58 year old woman who has bipolar disorder/disease. ALL my life I KNEW something was wrong with me, yet no one, medical, family nor friends, would listen to me, so I like many bipolars suffered with depressive epidodes and mania for decades. Not until after the second suicide attempt was I diagnosed correctly and that was AFTER I entered a manic phase and went to my local library and checked out every book they had that contained the symptoms I had all my life. While till in the manic phase I called up my shrink asking him,”Do you believe in bipolar disorder? Because THAT is exactly what I have!” His reply was, “I was leaning toward that and planned to address that on your next visit, but come in today for new medication.” He prescribed lithim and within a week I noticed the improvement and FINALLY the mood swings ended. Advancements in medicine/medications came about and now I am on Depakote and will be on it the rest of my life to control the bipolar, but I don’t mind as now I finally have a balanced and happy life. I also KNOW I can never stop taking the medication just because I feel “normal” as the bipolar will once again rear it’s ugly, painful head. I look at taking the depakote as a diabetic needs insulin the rest of their lives. Something I wish to mention lastly is a few of the comments posted here and how rude and cruel some are with a total lack of understanding even after they had read the article. Bipolar episodes (manic and depresive phases) differ from person to person, and are NOT controlable unless a person is using the correct medication along with therapy. A bipolar will behave negatively or strfangely when un-medicated even when raised by a family with great virtues and values and a strong sense of right and wrong. I know this for a fact as I was raised by excellent parents who taught their children well. Sadly, before I was diagnosed I frequently acted badly during the manic phase and suffered more later on after those episodes ended from extreme guilt, then the depressive episodes followed. I completely understand how someone without bipolar might THINK a person SHOULD control themselves but we can’t control ourselves. That has happened to me many times prior to medication and therapy, and it’s FACT! Now, I call those past episodes, “It seemed like a good idea at the time,” then forgive myself for my past behavior knowing now and in the future the medication helps me to be “normal” like the rest of society believes THEY are. As for the person posting about “God, sin and demons,” you have no idea how much I prayed daily for God to either let me die or become well and the shame I would feel. I can’t understand how a person who loves God and Jesus Christ and “follows his teachings” can be so judgemental of a person with such a terrible disorder as bipolar. Shame on you! I thank God and Jesus for the kind Christians who never judged me and were loving and supportive during my darkest days of pre-diagnosed bipolar. Their TRUE love and TRUE Christian beliefs helped me to get through the worst and gave me strength. And by they way, I have documentation that I am NORMAL, how about the rest of you who judge?

By: Rick

Rick — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:07:02 +0000

I have been treated for bi-polar disorder for many years.The horrors of it are unspeakable.I maintained and was a very productive citizen for most of my life.The “highs” for some are not always as elated as people often think.My greatest enemy was depression.When episodes of depression came they were suddenly without obvious warnings to myself.It was not until after being hospitalized several times that I accepted I had a disease. I was firmly against being “listed as having a mental disorder” with the thought I could always pull it together and control the downers.It did not happen.As time progressed,I had recurrent depressions that completely left me unable to take care of myself.At times I would go into deep sleep for days similar to comatose patients.Unless someone experiences this disorder they will never understand the agony of self failure that some victims face.Sad to say that most people face some sort of anxiety in their life at some point.If you can imagine what is it like when you face the death or loss of someone you love,or the feelings of hopelessness when you lose a job,or maybe the not having control of matters in your life,then you may better understand bi polar.The difference is that those suffering from bi polar may not have these type of immediate problems,but still have to deal with the feelings that accompany thse types of trauma,even though they do not esist.Fighting horrible feelings often lead to looking a way out;suicide for some.The hells of this sickness can be overwhelming. I do believe in many ways the crimes that may be committed by people with mental disorders have more to do with the condition of the heart and not the mind,as MANY bi polar people are very giving and loving individuals,being sacrificial when it comes to others needs.I am an intelligent person and have succeeded in many ways. As far as Jesus in my life and the demons,well I thank GOD I am alive today and trust him to keep me safe,but as many others with fatal diseases are often not healed for whatever reason.

By: buddy

buddy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:10:26 +0000

Not all sufferers of these illnesses are the same. Each suffers the disease to a differing degree. Some experience recovery.

By: daniele

daniele — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:29:16 +0000

again, the fallacy is that left untreated by western model the fear of death is placed in amongst refusing treatment. people with mental illness have more options than submitting to their psychiatrists based on the fear propositions the shrinks make to get patients to comply with their protocols. use of medication went up 86% after government lobbyists got government subsudies on pharmaceutical protocols.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:58:53 +0000

AS I work with persons with both of these disorders, I can tell you…. its VERY difficult to BE them and to work with them. Bipolar can be more stable when on meds than those suffering schizophrenia and in my experience, those with bipolar are more WILLING to take their medications than someone with schizophrenia.
But if you want a real tough mental illness… try borderline personality disorder. It sounds so innocent, and yet, it seems to take the very worst of the two above conditions and magnify them 1000 times.The sad thing is that we have so few places and ways to treat persons with mental illness as many of the long term hospitals and crisis centers have been closed as costing too much money. These people have no where to go, and the families have no way to deal with them, especially when they get violent, other than calling the police (who will often say “not my job man”). We have a crisis here, too bad no one seems to want to deal with it.

By: Dana Singleton

Dana Singleton — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:23:07 +0000

Ok, I understand the true mental disorders. I understand that manic depressives, which is a major part of bi polar disorder, experiences highs and lows that I will never understand. I also understand, that highs and lows do NOT necessarily involve violence. I am about sick and tired of hearing how people were unhappy, or sad, or disappointed, and that they had a disease. Oh yeah, and about the dead people, I am so sorry, my bad? Bull Crap. Right and wrong exists in every stressful situation, it is not ok to kill someone because you are angry, that is called personal responsibilty. It is not ok to take someone elses wallet or purse, bcause you are self medicating, and have no job or means to support your habit oops I am sorry your self medication habit. It is not ok to steal from your employer, it is not ok to write illegal prescriptions, it is not ok to lie to our government and gain a check and lifetime medical insurance because “You cannot help it”. That is a cop out. If you are ill, by all emans seek the support you need, but don’t assume that it is a lifetime paycheck, get the help and move on.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:05:36 +0000

Bipolars will stay on their medication until they feel normal. Then they are likely to go off because they don’t think they need it anymore. They are likely to committ suicide. They will also likely make several attempts before they actually do so. This is a serious condition,and a fascinating one. It runs in families, and bipolars also attract other bipolars, so they are likely to marry or have children by their bipolar mates. They will likely be missing for several days at a time, and then they will either suffer from the lows, or be somewhat normal (whatever that is). There are no adult ADHD people. This is bipolar. Perhaps their children are ADHD. They will do anything they think they can get away with, and they think they can charm anyone. If you have a bipolar boss, I pray for you. I really do. If your bipolar boss has a bipolar boss, I will keep you in my prayers. The bipolar boss will highly favor his or her devotee, and the will be devoted, because when the boss moves,so shall the bipolar. Serious brown nosing will take place. You will need the patience of Job, and a mental health license to cope with staying in the same organization. Either you will beat, join, or leave this strange place of work.