Mommy I’m Still In Here - A MomGadget Review That’s Very Close to Home
In late October, I was contacted by a mother named Kate McLaughlin. Kate is also a published author and in so very many ways, an Angel that stepped into my world at a time I needed her most.
It’s no big secret, nor should it be, that my family struggles almost daily with a condition called Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a disorder of the brain that causes unusual shifts in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. When Bipolar enters the picture, all hope of consistent, rational thought is gone and in it’s tread is left udder chaos with only a few calm days here and there.
These shifts are very different from the normal ups and downs that the average person encounters, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are more severe. In fact, these patterns in behavior can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide.
Once I received my personal copy of “Mommy I’m Still In Here” I snuggled up on the couch and began to read. What I discovered was the heroic efforts of one entire family as they struggled with not one, but two children haunted by this invisible monster that comes on the attack almost daily and grows like a cancer to consume every hour, every minute, every second. What I found was a need to read and re-read each chapter, as Kate and Chloe began to learn and understand this illness in ways only true heroes could - head on and in the beginning, completely unarmed.
Bipolar, while a terrible diagnosis for the one suffering the illness, it has such a tremendous impact on those closest to them - It’s this very position that I’ve grown more comfortable in as the result of the lessons learned by Kate and her family.
My kids and I know now that it’s ok to not try and fix everything that seems wrong or broken. If it’s broken in the mind of the afflicted, it’s broken state is permanent. We’ve learned to walk away and not try to rationalize when there’s an obvious ‘episode’ occurring. While the kids and I are learning how to live more harmoniously with bipolar in our lives, we also realized that was only half the battle. The war is far from over.
Kate sent my husband a very special card to place in our book that makes it more his, more personal, more close to home. Thanks to Kate, I was able to talk my husband into reading what Chloe and Michael had endured during their own battles with bipolar disorder. Watching as he read this book, was like watching a light slowly brighten behind his eyes. For the first time, he was able to see himself in much the same way that our children and I see him.
Any family that struggles with bipolar disorder is going to have a tremendous and treacherous journey ahead of them, I can promise that much. It’s not easy and certainly not as easy as taking a pill and waiting on a miracle - Mommy I’m Still In Here is the one life preserver that has lifted me up into a place where I feel like fighting the good fight and not giving up.
I can’t stress enough, if you or someone you know struggles with bipolar disorder in their daily lives, whether it be a child, a spouse, a friend or a relative, they need to read this book. This book could be the difference between them feeling their own life to be defeated, tolerable or triumphant.
Mommy, I’m Still in Here: Raising Children with Bi-polar Disorder is available for purchase on Amazon.com
Tags: bipolar disorder, manic depressive, depression
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POSTED IN: Books, MomGadget Reviews
4 opinions for Mommy I’m Still In Here - A MomGadget Review That’s Very Close to Home
Belindalouwho
Dec 11, 2007 at 10:41 pm
Thanks for passing along this book for people who have family, friends and/or coworkers who are living with BiPolar Disorder.
I had a boss who was only four years older than me. I didn’t understand his mood disorders (which could be mild to extremely horrible). He grew a successful business and we became close friends….but then drifted apart because of his illness (my husband didn’t want to have anything to do with him).
After his death from suicide, I learned that he had BiPolar. I wasn’t surprised, but I was naive as to what exactly that disorder was. I learned a lot after his death, and wished I knew more about what he was going through while he was alive. Thanks for sharing this book with all of us.
Tea Party Girl
Dec 13, 2007 at 2:05 am
So am I right in hearing you recommend this book even when it’s the PARENT in the family who suffers with the disorder and not just a child?
Great post. Thanks. I will definitely check this out.
Gayla
Dec 13, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Tea Party Girl - yes, I’d recommend it to anyone who has a loved one with BPD.
BelindaLouWho - it is so sad that so many have suffered in silence when there are treatments that can and do help. It’s all a matter of finding the right one.
Lisa Marie Mary
Dec 18, 2007 at 1:36 am
Excellent review, Gayla. I’m so glad I stopped in here today. Bipolar lives at our house, too - myself and maybe one of my children. I am definitely putting this book on my Amazon wishlist! Thank you so much for telling us about it!
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