As an MD with roots in Ory-Gun I heard today from a good friend who has a son who is slipping into the truly "dark side" of existence. He is showing signs of going into a first manic phase or a schizophrenic break at age 21. We have had thanksgivings and birthdays together for the past 21 years, He is like a son to my good wife and I and I am in great pain.

A good friend on this list is sending prayers, in which i very much believe, and value.

Thank You.

Please send whatever you are able.

Sorry to hear.

Kaitlin and I will be thinking of him, his family, you and your wife...

Thank You, my friend. Much appreciated.
This is like watching a train wreck unfold over the next several days with no ability to alter or help the outcome.
I howl.

Good thoughts on the way, Rick...and good luck to you and your friends.

Fish on...

Todd

Good thoughts being sent.

Thank You, Todd!
He is part of my group of family who have celebrated together, and with whom we have shared our mutual successes and pains over the past 25 years,

Thank You SS!

Let's go fishing!

Double

Thank You, Abu! And best to you and your family in this holiday season!
This is so weird, passing on blessings when a family member is flipping out. But, it is the right thing to do.

I thank you, friend.

I go now to howl and to pray.

Thanks, folks. See you tomorrow.
Warmest Love.

EOM.

How awful . Tough to deal with for sure. I'll send some positive energy that way

Good thoughts your way. I have seen this myself and its an awful thing. We can hope for a rapid recovery. Fingers crossed.

Your family is in my thoughts.. . . .

Thoughts and prayers from our house, DR.
My family has been through something similar and it's a tough one.

I have always found it weird that when we reach a time of crisis the world around us doesn't skip a beat and just keeps powering ahead when all we need is a little time to catch our breath. Prayers on the way.

Best of everything Doc your one of the good guys around here, I'm sure they have ruled out the illegal stuff?

I'll start my day with a prayer for you and yours.
Take care.

Thoughts and Prayers from both of Us

Sorry to hear that, DR. I lost a good friend to that situation. It was a horrible path for him because he was acutely aware of his own situation. He, his friends, and his family did everything that was possible to help and, in the end, he couldn't take it and took his own life . He was one of my first fishing buddies and it is hard to even describe the last time I fished with him. I could actually look at him and see him wincing with the internal stuggle going on in his head.

I wish your friend all the best. I'm not big into prayers but I'll certainly be thinking of your friend and send him some positive mental vibes. Hang in there. As you probably know, this is likely just the start of this situation and it will be hard on everyone.

-AP

Thanks, folks. Things came to a temporary head at O dark thirty when he told his room mates he was going to walk to a friend's house on the other side of town. When they told him it wasn't a good idea he crawled out a window. They found and retrieved him and he is hospitalized where hopefully he will get the help he needs. At least he is safe for the time being.

Good thoughts sent your way DR...

Prayers on the way. Nobody should have to go through that.

Family and good friends are something I value greatly.




Prayers and best wishes sent.

Good thoughts coming your way.Good luck,
SZ

Seeing a young person's potential severely diminished by injury or illness is tough to take. Hopefully, time and medical intervention will enable your friend to manage his condition. Best wishes for you, the young man and his family.

That is a tough situation Doc Rick. I have a buddy who lost his son to the same thing. However, when he found him, he was able to get him the treatment and medicine he needed and now he is doing just great and has been for sometime. I am praying for your friend. Mike

P.S.

If you have not already, check out NAMI (National Association for the Mentally Ill). It is a great organization of people in like situations and was very helpful to my friend.

Sad.

Update. The young man is safe, got some medication to sleep, and initial diagnosis is Bipolar Manic Acute Episode.

The good news is that he does not have a drug problem, and it does not appear to be schizophrenia. Schizophrenia has a slow cognitive mental decline associated with it and this young man is such a bright shining young star that it is good to not worry so much about watching him dim.

I know many bipolar folks who motor on just fine, as long as they take their medication. This is a good thing.

Mike@NorthBend, thanks for the NAMI reminder! Good Stuff!

I talked with a very cool psychiatrist friend at Swedish, Dr. Arpan Waghray, who reminded me that just accepting, being present, and "de stigmatizing" the whole process is a HUGE part of the outcome. Great advice.

I think this has torn me up so much both because it is a very close friend/family member, and because I am a doctor and am supposed to help, and I can do nothing.


If there are two things I would offer out to my colleagues here on PP the first would e a most sincere "Thank You" for taking a moment to send kind thoughts to my young friend and to me,and my friends and family, and the other would be to keep in mind that those who suffer from mental illness did not choose it , and when we can offer a smile or a nice comment it will not go un noticed.

And Thanks, especially, to Fog Ducker for just listening.

Triple Best,

Well I wish him the best, it's a medical issue that seems to only find the brightest. Sad

Good news and answered prayer is always welcome.

Ducker!

Rick,

"......and because I am a doctor and am supposed to help, and I can do nothing."

If what you did is "nothing", I'd like to witness what you would call "something".
Just sayin'

Thanks all,
Nothing much to add. Lots of family around, visiting, and coming to grips with the fact that no one "caused" this difficulty.
Mike @Northbend had a good reference to expand horizons at NAMI. Nobody chooses mental illness.
Good day on the river today, No fish, but lots of rocks and hang ups to make me think of other things, and good company to share it with.

god bless. similar situations exist in my family. found on both sides of my family (not drug related) and it has impacted my family greatly. It's best to try and understand the situation, and not what is going on in their head. My uncle has severe bipolar disorder and his ups and downs can last up to a year. He exhibits similar behavior. We cherish the times we have with him when he is stable and remember those times when he is not (the pills keep him in line, when he takes them). God Bless and I still pray he is ok.