By: Ellen

Ellen — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:22:30 +0000

Hi Justin
My daughter had her first psychotic break at 11 years old and after a harrowing 18 months of the wrong treatment which made her more paranoid, more psychotic, she finally landed up at a great hospital where the head of the Child & Adolescent Unit is her shrink. He is one amazing, wise man. She was diagnosed as bipolar and there is no doubt about that being true. Psychotropic medications are not a science and while she does take her meds everyday, she just turned 17 last week, accepting the disorder and how to live with it without inviting the triggers is really hard. She has amazing love and support from me, my ex, her older brother and extended family. It’s hard for her to tell friends as they don’t always get it and no matter how far we have come, there is still a terrible stigma attached to emotional disorders. I want to be able to tell her about you. I have taught novices for 10+ years, have the largest online bridge school, am a trained therapist. I want to be able to tell her that you are taking great care of yourself and when you are so down as to want to jump, that you turn to someone rather than play the odds. You can be her hero so please know I want you to LIVE, to play the game of bridge you play so well and love so much. As I read your blogs I notice there are so many people you love and if you feel that, it must be reciprocal. You can be half a Meckwell with the right partner. Go for it and I will listen to you as you write, learn more about this great game we play and pray (not literally:) that you will know how many people want you here with us. This may sound like I am some Polyanna but my daughter overdosed a year ago and spent a week in Intensive Care. The lows are terrifying. I know it; I see it. She was very lucky not to have permanently damaged her entire neurological system. But like you, she lived for a reason. Give her more reasons to live.

Comments on: Ask Justin 3

By: Ellen