Audrey Norford

Ms. Jizi

UWRT 1104

30 October 2017

Double Entry Journal

Mondimore, Francis M. Chapter 22: The Role of the Family. Bipolar Disorder: A Guide for
Patients and Families, vol. 1, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999, pp. 240249.

Source: Quote (Page# or Paragraph #) Responses

We are indoctrinated to think of people who
dont control their emotions very well as
being immature, lazy, self-indulgent, or
foolish. Pg:240
As the child of a bipolar parent I had to learn
quickly growing up that not everyone is
always in control of their emotions/actions.
When it comes to spreading information about
bipolar disorder I feel like this is one of the
first things that should be taught because like
the quote says most people have it hardwired
in their brain that people who cant control
their emotions are lazy or foolish.

People with mood disorders cannot snap
out of it, much as they would like to (and its
important to remember that they want
desperately to be able to). Pg:241
This is something else I find very important,
everyone needs to know that no one suffering
from bipolar disorder wants to be the way they
are. I know my mom specifically talks about
how she doesnt understand how she loses
control over her own mind and that she wants
to be able to have control over it.

criticism reinforces the depressed I think it is important to know this because to

patients feelings of worthlessness and help someone who is suffering from bipolar
failure pg:241 disorder it is important to know that criticism is
not the way to go.
Manic patients will say I hate you too, but this is the
illness talking, an illness that has hijacked the patients
emotions. The depressed patient will say, Its
hopless, I dont want your help. Again, this is the
illness and not your loved one rejecting your concern.
Pg:241
I winced a little at Peters use of the word
crazy, a word that can make a person with a
psychiatric illness feel like theyve just been
slapped in the face. Pg:241
Its possible to jump to the conclusions that
everything the person with the diagnosis
does that might be foolish or risky is a
symptom of the illness, pg:243
some bold idea or enthusias, or even plain
old foolishness or stubbornness, is labeled
as getting manic, leading to feelings of
anger and resentment in the person with the
diagnosis. Pg:243
Why bother staying well, if Im always
treated as if I were sick? pg:244
I think communication is the key: honest and
open communication. Pg:244
Theres nothing more infuriating or
demeaning than to have someone sneaking
around reporting on you behind your back.
Pg:244
This is also very important to note because
just because someone is rejecting your help
or they are angry with you, if they suffer from
bipolar disorder it is their illness speaking and
not them.
I find this to be important because my mom
has pointed this out before, using the word
crazy to discuss the way a patient has been
acting isnt comforting or helpful to them at all.
It is more of a degrading term
I find this to be important because my family
does this to my mom, myself included. We
just always get worried that she is getting
manic again and jump to conclusions instead
of being helpful and understanding like we
should be.
In my family this happens a lot, we assume
my mom is getting manic even though it is
foolishness or stubbornness that anyone
could exhibit. We just automatically assume it
is my mom getting manic, which is important
to note and learn that that isnt always the
case.
My mom has gone through this before, where
she is stable minded, but we are afraid she
isnt because we make assumptions. She
would stop taking her medicine because of
this which is very unhealthy.
A lot of problems do seem to stem from a lack
of communication because everyone,
including my mom, thinks they know best. A
lot of conversation never really happens but it
is important to know how communication can
be helpful and healthy
This goes back to the communication is key,
instead of calling a doctor and not letting the
patient know. Everything can be so much
easier if you talk to them and show your
concern and see how they feel and what they
think.
I dont know how many times I have seen
patients in the clinic who reassured me
that they were feeling fine, whose behavior
and mood seemed normal, whom I sent on
their way with a note in the chart that they
were doing well, only to receive a panicked
phone call from a spouse or other relative a
few hours later. Pg:244
Remember that your goal is to have your
family member trust you when he or she
feels most vulnerable and fragile. Pg:244
One of the most difficult things a person
might be called on to do for a family member
with bipolar disorder is to initiate involuntary
treatment or commitment. Pg:245
treatment is given to persons against their
will if clouded judgment prevents them from
making good decisions about their
treatment. Pg:245
Never forget that bipolar disorder can
occasionally precipitate truly dangerous
behavior. Pg:247
Its important that family members recognize
their own need for support, encouragement,
and understanding in dealing with this
illness. Pg:248
The reason I find this quote important is
because if a family stays involved in a
patients treatment it can be more helpful.
Patients dont always tell their doctors
everything and just keep saying theyre fine
because in their mind they are. Instead of
going about this in an aggressive way you
have to be thoughtful and express your
concern.
This is a key to helping someone, earn their
trust and dont betray it.
My grandfather has had to do this before to
my mom. But it is because bipolar disorder
can cloud judgment and land the patient in a
dangerous situation. As hard as it is to have
to do if the patient is unwilling to seek help
when they truly need it sometimes this has to
be done, but it should always be a last resort.
I feel like this is something that should be
discussed between the family members and
the patients, because no one wants to have to
have someone committed against their will.
But if the trust is there between the family it
makes things easier
I feel like all families and friends of a patient
should be aware of this and know the signs of
when the patient is putting themselves in
danger.
People shouldnt feel selfish for needing
support when they are helping a patient. I
have always felt selfish when I needed
support because of my moms illness but it is a
common thing.