Category Archives: mental illness.

update – positive news

Staff called tonight. David was in a good place to talk to me tonight.  When he is manic, it just isn’t a good idea.   David addressed his concerns. Doesn’t want to be there for another 6 months to a year. Thinks that he is being lied to. Doesn’t understand why we aren’t coming out for Christmas. Wants a Nintendo DS for Christmas.       In truth.  Before David can come home, not only does he need to work his treatment plan, but he also needs to avoid outbursts, and learn to identify when he is starting a manic episode if he can. In addition to that, before he can come home, there needs to exist, a residence that is similar to the facility he is in currently.  One that will provide him a step-down or transition to home.  A place from where we can stage home visits.  Where

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An update on the Crisis Mode.

It is midnight here at the home.  Just got a call from staff. David was taken off “close watch” at 2 pm this afternoon.  What this means is that they have loosened his keeper.  He doesn’t have someone practically attached to him.  And while he will be monitored frequently, he won’t have someone sitting in his room watching him sleep. He remembers what happened yesterday, and is working to articulate what happened. This a huge positive for David.  He usually doesn’t remember his manic periods. His treatment is still set back a bit, but he is still leaps and bounds where he was when he was admitted last January. Thank you to all of David’s readers.  Countless numbers of you have offered prayer and positive thoughts.  Believe me, in my mind it has helped.  Words can not express how it feels to have so much support from people who don’t

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The first pass of this trip.

David has been on a plan.  This relates to behaviors they display in the residence hall.  As a result he was at risk of losing part of his pass / visit with me. I am not complaining.  My reality is that if he is exhibiting behaviors, and I am in town, then he loses pass time.  My rules.  It is harsh.  But he is being held accountable for his behavior. So when I found out he was on a plan, I was a bit leery of how any pass would go. Imagine my surprise.  The pass was incredible.  No issues.  We ate supper in the dining hall, and it reminded me a lot of military mess halls. He ate 90% of his supper, which I gather is unusual.  His meds take away much of his appetite so he basically eats and gets rewarded for doing so. When David was at

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