Being psychotic is certainly not funny, but I remember one episode that had its humorous side. Mom had been sick for a while and finally the doctor had talked her into going into the hospital. Being the clean, meticulous person she was, she refused to go without bathing and clean clothing. Dad agreed, and filled the tub for her...she went in the bathroom and locked the door. After a few minutes, she came back out and in a bewildered voice said "I can't have a bath, there is no room in the tub for me." My dad went in and sure enough, there wasn't. She had taken "EVERYTHING" that wasn't nailed down in the bathroom and thrown it in the tub...towels, shampoo, boxes of powder...you name it! Dad phoned for an ambulance and she was taken to hospital. Later that night he found her wedding ring in the trash. Such a sad story, but a true one.
Soon after my first son was born...he was about four months old at the time, mom had another severe depressive and psychotic episode. She had locked herself in her bedroom for days and days and was certain, absolutely convinced that someone had killed the baby. When Dad phoned and asked me to bring my son there so that she could see he was truly alive, I agreed...and when I got there she came out, took him from me, went into her bedroom and locked the door again. I was truly frightened. "She won't hurt him?" I asked my dad. He reassured me, and I talked to her through the locked door. After about 45 minutes, she unlocked the door and returned him to me without comment, unharmed.
When I had my first episode and was subsequently diagnosed I had a whole book of bad memories to browse through. I was scared, there is no other word to describe it. I was also lucky to have a wonderful psychiatrist, who had also treated my mother and knew her case history well. At my very first appointment he told me that if this had been 20 years ago I would have likely have spent the remainder of my life in an institution. With the discovery of lithium and other medications pertinent to bipolar disorder I was very lucky, and would most likely spend my life at home.
Time has proven him correct. I have had multiple hospitalizations but between the severe episodes I have maintained a reasonably stable and contented lifestyle.
The copyright of the article My MOM and Manic Depression - Page 2 in Bipolar Disorder is owned by . Permission to republish My MOM and Manic Depression - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
10.
Dec 6, 2005 11:35 AM
In response to Re: Bipolar Disorder posted by flashjack103883:
Flashjack: I am also a mom with bipolar. I was just diagnosed th ...
-- posted by Lahlex
9.
Oct 6, 2004 10:07 PM
Dear Hiney Hello Hiney,i read your passage and was overcome with the warmth and love for your mother and your loving care of understanding the illness. I too suffer with manic depression i am only 2 ...
-- posted by flashjack103883
8.
Jul 29, 2003 1:02 PM
In response to message posted by ndshlp4crazmom:
i meant to say " you can NOT control anyone but yourself..." ...
-- posted by ndshlp4crazmom
7.
Jul 29, 2003 12:44 PM
In response to message posted by hebber87:
hello heather, i am sorry to read your sad story. you kinda remind me of myself. alth ...
-- posted by ndshlp4crazmom
6.
Feb 12, 2002 8:40 PM
Hello im Heather a child of three by my mom and im 14. i just felt like telling someone about whats going on in my life and kinda how i feel, because not a lot of people know or care..my mother lynn ...
-- posted by hebber87
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to
Colleen Sullivan's
Bipolar Disorder topic, please visit the Discussions page.
