Something I Am Proud Of:

I am especially proud of the fact that I was able to write and self-publish “The Mental Patient: A Journey of Faith” on Amazon. This fictional memoir is based on my 65 years of struggling with bipolar with psychosis. It came in three stages over those years: accepting my mental illness, managing the setbacks, and, ultimately, overcoming them. Along the path of my journey God looked out for me and my late wife, Fran. He really angered me in that He gave me this genetic and biochemical imbalance, but in the end I could see His works in my life. My wife, Fran, was also bipolar. We were married 37 years. And we were always able to help each other because both of us were never ill at the same time.

Advice For Newly Diagnosed:

My advice for the newly diagnosed is to try to describe your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as best you can to your psychiatrist or clinical psychologist or licensed clinical social worker.  This will help them best adjust your medicines or guide your therapy from this point on. It is a life long journey and you are in it for the long run. Try to acquire empathy and flexibility.