The following is a story of how working with clients has taught me what information parents and partners truly need. If you have not visited my coaching page, here is the link: http://www.juliefast.com/family-coaching/
In 1994 after my then partner Ivan come home after a three month stay in the hospital- I thought to myself- on day I am going to help people get through something like this because there sure isn’t anyone here to help me get through it! Now, fifteen years later I am fulfilling my promise to myself. The coaching has been an amazing experience, but also a very surprising one. Here are a few things I have learned from working with so many clients:
1. The system has hardly changed AT ALL compared to how it was in 1994. It still favors the patient over the family member and partner and many people with bipolar disorder who are obviously very ill are sent home as they are not completely a danger to themselves or others.
2. Psychosis is the most difficult symptom for family members and partners to understand. I have to point out a lot of psychotic behavior that is missed or confused with mania.
3. Parents and partners are worn out, often scared, worried and frustrated with the system.
There are so many commonalities – which makes sense as bipolar disorder is an illness with very set symptoms and behaviors!
My first goal is to offer as much information as possible about bipolar itself- we can then work on communcation, hospital visits and other topics.
Julie
Ms. Fast,
I have met you at a Seaside, OR, mini siminar where you spoke before a family support group several years ago — I was very impressed with you. I am the affiliate president of NAMI for Clatsop County, OR, and finally we have a support group – chronically afflicted helping those chronically afflicted. The leader is trained by NAMI as a support group leader but obviously this is much more and it needs to succeed.
I remember from your remarks that people can (through charting?) determine a psychosis is coming on. Externally friends can see the signs. Advance planning is crucial; psychosis does not have to be devastating.
My question: which of your publications would be the place to start for this group? NAMI tries to help the spectrum of mental illness so we are looking for a general self-help (inclusive of friends/family) technique. We are at the beginning. What is the best way to utilize your truly impressive advances?
Sincerely, Richard Elfering, affiliate president, Clatsop NAMI
Julie
I am bipolar and have been diagnosed for thirty five years and would say it only the last five that i took back my life and became proactive and offered some relief to my family. I am feeling really bad for my brother and sister-ilaw who are dealing with a twenty five single girl who is totally out of control and in denial. We are located in Ottawa Ontario Canada do you do work with people in Canada or do you have some referal you could send.