article on BP and brain and facial expression

[Guest guest]

Randi posted that article about the disease process in BP s and it was

marvelous. It really provided a great insight into how thier brains work.

It helps you understand that perhaps the stubborness and manipulations and crazy

making are not things they can help. There is, perhaps, greater hope with each

new understanding that they can be treated successfully. We can understand, and

maybe separate our anger at their actions and emotions from anger at the person

inside.

I m not saying we excuse what they do. Nor am I saying for an instant that we

should stop doing what we need to do in order to be safe and sane, and to help

our own healing along.

I just note that perhaps our nagging question, " Are they evil to do what the

do? " is a bit better answer, maybe. They are truly, truly mentally ill. Some

may be evil and some may be good under it all.

But we can understand that perhaps, under all this madness, is a good and caring

person , who is our mother, who just never made it out.

Maybe that makes the realities a bit easier for us. And I never give up hope.

My mom died still deeply symptomatic. But I hold out hope. If the caring

community can help BP s to cope, and become healthier, many kids dealing right

now with what we endured may have a chance to avoid our pain.

So, hope.

Doug