Alone in the Choir: Getting Help

There is a website called Joni and friends that has lists of resources for people with disabilities. There are all sorts for anything from ADD, Autism, to Cerebral Palsy. But there are no resources listed for mental illness. It must not be a disability in the mind of the organization. I got a list... Sign in to see full entry.

Yesterday, I delivered my daughter Kelly, to the door of a woman's day center and left her there like a stray cat that I didn't want hanging around my house anymore. We fought about her taking medications. She had thrown her nightly dose into the toilet. I stayed up all night, determined not to... Sign in to see full entry.

Kurt and I screwed up. He gave a perscription for Kelly's shot to the pharmacy, who didn't mention to him what it was for. I forgot all about Kelly's shot until she started acting out. Taking care of twin daughters with bipolar has been very difficult. Top that off with doing it for eight years,... Sign in to see full entry.

Family members are excluded from the process. Our relatives are adults. The problem is that although they are legally adults, when they are sick they are very dependent on us. In order for them to get the help they need, we will be involved. Psycho dynamic theories blame parents for mental illness.... Sign in to see full entry.

Kelly lives with us and I take her to her appointments. But i cannot find out what is going on with her. In some circumstances confidentiality is a very good thing. But keeping things from your caregiver is not. If I was a mental health worker employed at the same mental health center, I could find... Sign in to see full entry.

I called the social worker who got Kelly onto GAX and told her that she had gotten it. I also thanked him for all that he had done for her. He responded by stating that it was his job. That may be true, but I know he worked hard for Kelly and that was something that went beyond his job. I could tell... Sign in to see full entry.

Kristina was mailed a form for social security to fill out. They sent it to her and intended for her to fill it out. Hello! Excuse me! These forms are hard for people who don't have mental problems. What about someone in denial and who is having a hard time finding her way around. On the one hand... Sign in to see full entry.

A woman in my daughter's church offered to let Kelly live with her. She would be a good person. She has the sort of flexibility that it would take to live with Kelly. Sign in to see full entry.

It is lonely for two reasons. One because you frighten everyone else. Two, because you are afraid of people. The stigma is wrong. But it does makes sense. It is frightening when someone you know becomes another person. It is even more frightening to be around a totally unpredictable person. Although... Sign in to see full entry.

In Colorado any police officer, and doctor can initiate a 72 hour mental health hold. A hold places a mentally ill person in the hospital against their will because they are gravely disabled or a danger to themselves or others because of mental illness. In Washington state, only a mental health... Sign in to see full entry.