Good for you, Mireille!

• Bipolar Teenager? by Mireille Deschenes, 9/20/97
  • Ways of treating severe depression by Don Nathanson, 9/20/97
    • Thank you Don by Mireille Deschenes, 9/23/97
      
      

Mireille, I am glad that you are taking such an active and positive stance in the midst of such a difficult time. I hope that your son's illness is stabilized in short order, and that the happy young man of the past will return.

Remember that as a parent, you have a right to ask questions and have your concerns addressed by your child's clinicians, and that you have much to offer them! After all, you know him better than almost anyone! The information sharing will go both ways when good treatment is individualized.

You did not say where you were, but perhaps the following resources will help. I am wondering if you are in Canada. I am in northern Vermont, 90 miles south of Montreal. I don't personally know anyone in your situation who speaks French, but there are several organizations that are immensely helpful to families in the USA who are in your situation:

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill is composed largely of family members who support and help each other, advocate for their loved ones, and try to educate the public about mental illness. The group in the Burlington area teaches a fabulous family education course on coping with mental illness. Perhaps their national office can put you in touch with groups near you. Phone number is 703.524.7600 in the USA. I would try them first.

The National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association can be reached at: 312.642.0049.

And the National Foundation For Depressive Illness can be reached at 212.268.4260.

I hope these are helpful to you.

Best of luck.

Sue Deppe, MD, Coordinator of Public Affairs, Vermont Psychiatric Association

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