Being An Adult...

[wlotus]

...means recognizing a teaching moment when The Teen mentions peers teasing a former schoolmate about being bipolar. He didn't know what it is, and now he does. He also knows it is something that is serious and treatable and not to be laughed about.

I need a stiff drink.

Comments

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

oh geez. *hugs* and, thank you. <3

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

There was a memoir that I read written by a English prof at UCLA who suffers from bipolar disorder. I have a much clearer notion of how much our society overuses and misuses the term. After I read that book, I quickly noticed how quick people are to identify someone as "bipolar" without any understanding of the implications and difficulties about it. I'm so glad you embraced the moment for teaching. I try to do the same when confronted with it.

You should read it. I think it's called An Unquiet Mind.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I think someone else mentioned the book to me at one point; the title sounds familiar.

As I explained, I thought, "If this awkward for me as his cousin, how do parents handle talking about sexuality?!?" (Then again, I know the answer to that question, based on my own experiences: some better than others, and some not at all.)

[shutterbug.livejournal.com]

Yep, but I'm still proud of you for facing it and saying something. But you're right, no easy task.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :-)

[rockbirthedme.livejournal.com]

You're right, the book is An Unquiet Mind. The author is Kay Redfield Jamison, but she isn't an English prof. She's a doctor, specifically a psychiatrist, and a professor of psychiatry. That makes it all the more surprising that she wrote the book. Most mental health professionals will conceal their mental illnesses, from (unfortunately justified) fear of losing jobs and careers. For her to admit, not only to a mental illness, but to a very severe form of a serious disorder, was extremely courageous. She has also been lucky in having bosses who have been able to take her disorder in stride. Not everybody can.

[balmofgilead.livejournal.com]

Props for doing that. It's too bad there aren't more adults (in that sense) in the world.

[here-2-read.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Hearing folks talk about a person being "crazy" or "bipolar" when they don't even know what they mean is frustrating.

[rockbirthedme.livejournal.com]

*THANK YOU*. From me and NotSoLittleAnyMore! both.

It makes me so angry and simultaneously makes me feel so helpless when people toss formal diagnostic terms around casually. It's good to know I have friends who have my back.

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

You both are VERY welcome.

Judging from the reaction of the schoolmate's brother, the girl is bipolar, which made that teaching moment even more necessary.

[rockbirthedme.livejournal.com]

Wow. Poor kid. Having bipolar is more than enough on her plate without being tormented for it. Sounds like her brother might be willing to get in there and defend her, though -- good for him.