I think it is great when a celebrity goes public about their mood disorder, like the recently published new about Catherine Zeta Jones and Bipolar Disorder Type 2.
However, what is important to add to this news is the experiences of childhood.
Mood disorders are genetic, like thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, among others.
I have Bipolar Disorder Type 2. Just diagnosed this week after six months of different anti-depressants. My sypmptoms came together with two unexpected manic episodes that were less than a week long but had significant financial impact.
Without realizing it until this month, I suffered from mood swings my whole life with significant depressions lasting up to two years. Approximately once a decade. I lead a successful career until this present depression which started when my childrens' behavior became so different from the kids I knew and loved. I was ready to send them off to boarding school and they were only 9 years old.
Hospitalized, treated and released at age 11 for mood disorders, they are currently stable. As hormones begin raging I will be ready for the next swing.
If you are an adult with a mood disorder, be extra observant of your children's behavior. Don't blow it off as secondary to divorce, separation, bullying, a pet that died, etc. Call your pediatrician, get help. If your pediatrician can't help, notify the local children's hospital for referral to a pediatric psychiatrist for an assessment of your child.
You will give the gift of a bright future as adults.
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