"We didn't know that it wasn't Jess just being wild, there was something going on there. . . We come from the tradition that you hardly ever went to a psychiatrist — it just wasn't done. You certainly don't talk about depression, or alcoholism, or any mental illness. It's just not done, and I think a lot of people still feel that."
— Glenn Close went on Good Morning America today to discuss her family's struggle to understand her sister Jessie's mental illness. Jessie was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 47-years-old. The actress and her sister have filmed a public service announcement with hopes of challenging the stigma attached to mental illness.
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Emilio Pucci
My ex is bipolar. It was probably the hardest thing I've ever been thru. From the mood swings that went from absolute bliss to locking myself in the bathroom from fear, I never knew what was going to happen or what he'd done when I got home. He was on medication for a while and then felt that he was better so he stopped taking it, without me knowing until he was acting irrational again.
1Briandiesel, mental illness isn't as obvious or manifest the same with everyone. Not everyone is troubled in the way your BF was, as Glenn Close says her sister was just perceived as "wild." Probably viewed as a free spirit or unconventional with some mood swings here and there. It's almost hard to distinguish.
Therapy (as she also mentions) was probably associated with cases like your BF or something even more extreme. And then to go to therapy makes ppl go, hmm...she must be a "maniac" at home.
And there can be mania but it's not the same for everyone and some people are just disorganized and people will view it as unconventional or distratcted among many other things.
But it's not always like your BF. And more people should be open to therapy, you, your BF, family, friends, me, TeamSugar readers, lawyers...everyone!
I think that's the greater point.
2-Not too mention that she was diagnosed at 47 so she carried this and lived her life WITH it, w/out diagnosis and therapy, for many years. It means she was "functional" even though she went through a lot.
3bringchange2mind.org/
4I was just telling my story, not speaking out against being bipolar or claiming to know anything about it from a doctors point of view.... I realize that this disease is not the same for everyone. But it was that way for my bf and thats what I wanted to share.
5And we did go to therapy.
Your own mental well being is more important then trying an trying to work with someone with a mental illness that isn't interested in staying on their medication or working through the problems. It may sound selfish when put like that, but you can't live in fear or misery your entire life. So, making blanket statements never really works, anon. It isn't the person without the mental illness that is the one who needs to make the decision for therapy, its the person suffering. You can offer your support, but there is only so much you can do. You have to take care of you. I've lived through this and while there are obviously varying degrees, even severe depression can be impossible to live with if the other person isn't willing to work on it.
6I think she's right. There are still alot of people who don't "believe in" therapy and don't discuss mental disorders. I know several people who fit this category, some are of Glen's generation and some are younger. It's sad really.
7It's getting better, and I'm spoiled living in the DC area where the awareness level is so much higher than some other parts of the country. It's almost luxurious to have a therapist among my peers, and most people I know have been at one point or another.
8It's still irritaing to hear people call an emotional girl "bipolar" or to think that schizophrenia is the same as disassociative identity disorder (formerly split personality). People are becoming more educated about it every day, though, and I think that trend will continue.
Brian, thanks for sharing your story- it helps people to understand that the "ups" of bipolar aren't necessarliy "happy" but that they're more about impulsivity and hyperactivity and like you said, inappropriate "bliss." And sometimes it's completely debilitating. It's important to be compassionate when talking about people with mental illness. It can be their own personal hell.
And yes, MissSushi, VERY important point. Even though it can make someone feel guilty, everyone has a right to choose whether or not to be in a relationship, and that right trumps trying to 'save' another person. It's so hard and so complicated but you have to put your health and happiness first.
9I don't think that's what Anon was saying...I think she is referring to what Glenn Close said, that a lot of people don't believe in therapy and think it's just for the worse cases.
Which is why she replied to Brandiesel, not because she thinks Brandisiel needs help or should be responsible for her boyfriend. Just that therapy is for all kinds of people and not the "worst or extreme cases" only.
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