Op-Ed Published by Montgomery Media News - Fog Poem

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Many of us watched the Oscars on Feb. 24 with the beautifully dressed and coiffed men and women in designer clothes and jewels. It reminded me of the many individuals in New Directions, a support group I founded in 1986.

Despite being attractive and well put-together, we suffer from the challenging conditions of depression and bipolar disorder.

With a combination of medication and psychotherapy, many of us do fine and go on to live healthy lives.

A few of us in New Directions, myself included, were surprised to learn that our illness vanished. It disappeared like a fast train speeding through town.

We strongly urge you to stay on your meds. Sadly, nearly 15 percent of people with bipolar disorder die by their own hand.

When bipolar disorder assaulted me, I was faithfully taking my medication. Yet, mood swings still occurred. I would wake up leaden, as if I were chained to the bed, and could barely take care of my two young children.

When psychosis — or out-of-reality thinking — bore down on me, I felt people were spying on me, as if this was an episode of “Homeland” with Claire Danes.

Over 219 million people in the U.S. suffer from bipolar disorder and depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Illness.

Many famous individuals come forward to publicly announce their illness.

The latest individual is Michael Gerson. He is a political columnist for the Washington Post and a contributor to the “PBS NewsHour.” On Feb. 17, he delivered a sermon at the Washington National Cathedral that focused on his battle with depression.

“There should be no stigma about having depression,” he said.

“Right on, Mr. Gerson!” I say.

Shortly thereafter, a comic book character named Nadia Van Dyne revealed her own illness. In issue No. 5 of the “Unstoppable Wasp,” Ms. Van Dyne cries, “I need help.” I think I have bipolar disorder — “and I don’t think I can handle this alone.”

She writes that if mania is not treated, “a person can have episodes — intense changes in mood — especially in times of stress.”

How wonderful for young people to learn about these treatable illnesses from a format they love and trust.

With a combination of medication and psychotherapy, many of us do fine and go on to live healthy lives. Our support group boasts a house painter, a mail carrier, homemakers and social workers.

A support group or family support is vital to keep people healthy and hopeful.

Believe it or not, the symptoms of depression and bipolar disorder have been recognized as long as humans have been around. We learn from Healthline.com that Aretataeus of Turkey detailed symptoms in the first century.

The ancient Greeks and Romans were responsible for the terms “mania” and “melancholia,” which now are the modern-day “manic” and “depressive,” according to Healthline.com. The term “manic-depressive illness” is an earlier name for bipolar disorder. The early healers discovered that using lithium salts in baths calmed manic individuals. Today, lithium is a major medication used for people with bipolar disorder.

A word of caution, however, about lithium. While many people do well on the drug, others find it damages their kidneys. I personally took lithium for nearly 17 years, and it ruined my kidneys. Fortunately, my daughter, Sarah, was a match, and I had a kidney transplant in 2001. If you are on lithium, be sure to get lab tests once every six months.

Today, we’re aware of hundreds of artists and writers with mood disorders. They include Ernest Hemingway, Jimi Hendrix, Jane Pauley and Mariah Carey.

Take heart! Scientists are working diligently to come up with newer and better drugs and treatments.

If you need a psychiatrist for yourself or a family member, visit this website you findtreatment.samhsa.gov.

As you remember, The Intell refused to publish me. Long story. At Giant I sat in the cafe and and got a copy of the Times Chronicle. Good paper. That's how I decided to write for it.

I continue listening to In Their Father's Footsteps by Danielle Steele. There is not one original sentence in it. Yet I will read until the finish. In the car I listen to Fear by Bob Woodward - a book about Trump. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore and put it back in its darling plastic case, which is the best thing I can say about the book, carefully wrin by journalist Bob Woodward.

I wrote a lovely poem about the fog when I was coming home from Mom's. I stayed with her all day while my sister Ellen went to the Flower Show. I have enormous patience when I'm wirh her, unlike at home where I do this - do that - and the other thing. Well, my fingers can type fast so that may be the start of it.
This could be the start of something good, I sing in my operatic voice. I can't see a damn thing. 

DRIVING HOME FROM MOM'S IN THE MIST

Lights on
Go slow
Who knows what will drive by
A yellow schoolbus coming home
from a hockey game
An ambulance tearing across
the road
A black Ford truck
heading home from
fishing in the Poconos

All I saw was beauty
Abstract outlines of
giant trees
They could have been
Sequoias in California
Magnificent
Standing the test of time

How can I remember the
astonishing beauty
beauty
beauty
I think I am. 

— Ruth Z. Deming, founder/director, New Directions Support Group in Abington and Willow Grove