Question/Answer

Q. How long have you been well? A. I have not had the need of a psychiatric ward for 17 years. In the early 2000’s, I slowed down to only 2 episodes in 4 years, so I knew I was getting close to freedom. The last thing I had to deal with was childhood sexual abuse trauma and its impact on my life. My experience taught me that I needed to acknowledge my pain, experience my pain, release my pain and forgive the one who afflicted me, whether that person was dead or alive. Up to this point, I had only run from the pain.

Everyday, I practice mental health. I know what to do and I do it. And when I don’t know what to do, I ask Jesus. He is my counsellor. HIs love for me gave me the courage to take every step necessary to get well. Ask Him. He loves you as much as He loves me. You may be surprised at what He has to say..

DIAGNOSIS

“Mrs. Samson, come in and have a seat,” said Dr. Bernier, the psychiatrist. “I regret to say that you are manic-depressive, which means that you have a chemical imbalance in your brain. You will be subject to episodes like the one you just went through for the rest of your life. It will be difficult to hold a job as the episodes will continue to disrupt your life. Unfortunately, there is little understanding or acceptance of mental illness in our society.”

He took a deep breathe before he continued. “It will get worse as you age. The episodes are triggered by stress, but you are unlikely to know when they are about to happen. Comparatively speaking, your case is very severe, judging by this first episode. Your risk for multiple episodes in one year will increase if you have any children and as you go through menopause.”

He pointed to some medication. “The treatment for manic depression is lithium carbonate - a mood altering drug. It helps minimize the highs and the lows, but does not necessarily eliminate the occurrences of the episodes. Lithium taken over a long period of time may destroy one of your kidneys. The good news is that you have two of them. I recommend that you start treatment immediately. If you do not take the medication, you may stabilize, but it will take substantially longer. Any questions?

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