He's Manic - I'm Depressed

James and his robot. Oh, if only we were robots, and could switch our emotions and impulsives simply ON or OFF! Back in the summer of 2008 I took James in to see the psychiatrist, asking him whether or not James was bi-polar, as his older brother Jonathon and his birth mother had been diagnosed. What has ensued has been a long road of trying different medicines, while analyzing his behavior, his mood, his sleeping patterns, his willingness to cooperate, etc. I wasn't surprised by that. Sometimes to diagnose, you also have to rule out other disorders; that's done by seeing if the meds. for those disorders help or not. We see an excellent psychiatrist, Dr. Ricardi, and he is amazing for being able to key into the subtleties and mannerisms of the different disorders. We saw him today. And together are ruling out the diagnosis of ADHD, and are trying on for size the diagnosis of Bi-polar. After bawling all the way home, not because of the diagnosis, but because of James' manic behavior in the office (at least it was there, and not in some other setting where I would get lack of understanding and judgemental looks. I get that everywhere else I go with him, but not today. Today was total validation. Nevertheless, the manic episodes leave me drained - although that really doesn't describe it.), I sit here faintly smiling - hope returning once again, that help is on the way - not just for him, but for all of us. I love you James!