Mental Health Update

A really great discussion of bipolar disorder, dealing with it and realizing that it may pass on to the next generation.

Not for parenting. Manic dperessives often relate their mood swings to the swinging of a pendulum, back and forth. But really, bipolar disorder is less a pendulum (although I guess it is when you aren't in treatment of some sort) and more like a teeter totter. At least in my experience. On the one side you have events that contribute to depression and related emotional downs. On the other, you have events that contribute to mania and related upswings. A lot of our time is spent trying to balance the beam. Some people use medication, some people try to moderate lifestyle, some of it is natural but ultimately the goal is to get the beam into equilibrium and alternately keep from flying off or crashing to the ground.

I am also keenly aware that there is a high probability that my son will suffer from depression in his life. High because of my own bipolar disorder. I think back to my time in high school and I resolve to be more of a parent than my own parents were, to be involved, and to not let my son suffer in silence. But I think about the day I went looking for my father's gun and I know the real reason I will never keep a gun in the house.

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