[shutterbug]

I'm not feeling well right now so this will be fairly short. sorry.

they hyper talking and acting...and little sleep is typical of mania. The brain does go into over-drive and sometimes the person doesn't make sense to outsiders b/c they are connecting ideas that may not typically connect in the most logical ways. And then...like you explained...can progress into paranoia and psychotic forms. (actually, the paranioa is present in both bp I and bp II...it's just more enhanced in bp I's and more likely to cause problems in their daily lives).

"A Brilliant Madness" by Patty Duke would also be a great read for him. It's not too technical...and offers an entire chapter of famous bipolars in history and why we tend to have high intelligence levels and tend to lean toward more creative and artistic careers.

It starts out with Patty talking about her story of being thrust into the television and movie world so early that she lived with her 'agents' for most of her childhood. Then it progresses quickly to her older years and bouts with alcoholism, suicide attempts and explaining bipolar I and how it was seriously affecting her life. The book alternates chapters by her and her psychologist. So every other chapter gives more informational writing about the illness, but in very easy-to read terms.

The book actually made me feel a little proud to be connected to such great, prominent figures in history with the same illness. It made me feel a little 'special' by showing me a few positive aspects of what it can bring out in a person.

There are many other books about bipolar disorder, but most of the others are more clinical and not such easy OR inspiring reads. Patty Duke is a hero in my eyes for writing such an open and honest account of her mental illness and addiction issues....and at a time when both were even LESS understood, talked about or accepted than today.

A new copy....which you may have to ask a local bookstore to order is like $8.95 or something. VERY reasonable. I think it's a MUST read for anyone dealing with bipolar disorder personally or have friends or family suffering from the illness.

Lastly, this is not something that needs to be thought about right now, but i want to just give an introduction in case your son ever has a very severe and devistating manic (or depressive) episode. ECT is a fast and affective treatment for both mania and depression....with 70-80 % of patients benefiting from treatments. (I've had 23 this past year, and was the ONLY thing that REALLY worked to lift me from suicidal depressions....i just wasn't able to do enough maintenance treatments to keep the good benefits working). However, from my readings, it seems to be even most beneficial for severe manic episodes...and sometimes in as little as 1 treatment. And whatever the stigma of it....i'd MUCH rather have an ECT treatment than go to the dentist. The worst part of any of my treatments was having to get the I.V. put in my hand or arm for the anesthesia and other muscle relaxants during the actual procedure.

Anyway...that's not something that is needed right now, but i just wanted to let you know it's out there, effective and a treatment option in major episode situations. And even Patty Duke herself told me to my face about 6 months ago that she's also had the shock treatments and that they often work better than all the meds combined ever have.

----
anyway, i'm glad to hear your son is on a mood stabalizer. I've been on Depakote before and don't recall having any negative issues with it. I was also on Geoden for a brief time, but don't remember anything about it.

Hopefully, the Depakote will continue working for him....but be aware that bipolar disorder....episodes come and go like waves. So he may be fine for months, or even years, and then have it hit him again out of no where. That is also another reason to continue to re-affirm his need to stay on a mood stabalizer for good. Many stop b/c they think they are fine and don't need it any more....but that is never the case with a bipolar. It may be a while, but it WILL return. And if he's a rapid cycler....then it's likely to return sooner rather than later. But that will be something that will just have to be monitored and talked to his docs about.

The age of 17 is a little younger than typical, but i'd have to do some research before believing the pot had much to do with the onset of this right now. If he's started self-medicating....then there was obviously something already going on that led him to using the pot to self-medicate. Which is mainly why i don't think the pot had much to do with it, but as i said, i'd have to see what research is out there to have any truely 'educated' opinion about it.

That's great about him researching the illness and addiction issues for himself. My suggestion would also be to re-assure him that having a mental illness does not mean he is defective in anyway....OR won't be able to lead a good life. His type of bipolar is MUCH easier to manage with meds than mine....so the hardest part is just him staying on the meds and being open to looking at med changes with a pdoc as needed.

That's another reason I think "A Brilliant Madness" is a good choice for him too....b/c it does show that a person isn't doomed because of the diagnosis...and that they actually are more likely to accomplish great things if they really want to and work towards their goals. It's inspirational.

Is he seeing a therapist or psychologist right now?
Would he be open to that?
I think i could help him come to terms with it and understand it...and all through someone outside of his family....so that he will not feel pressured, but rather supported by an outside party sworn to total secrecy from anything he talks about (w/ the rare exceptiong of if the professional fears for his or someone else's safety...and then they can report that for obvious reasons).

Hugs,
Jenna

p.s. i guess i jabbored away anyway. lol. I enjoy helping others start the process of learning. It makes me feel that all my struggles haven't been for nothing. So thanks for allowing me to offer my thoughts and opinions...whatever they're worth. lol