Tag: transition

Plan, plan, and plan some more

I can’t predict, so I plan.

Having a child with a severe mood disorder forces me to look at the future through a different lens than my friends with neurotypical kids. I hope my daughter will be able to complete college, live independently, and hold a job, but I don’t know if that will be possible. Creating a safety net helps me to feel much more secure, especially since my daughter has passed that scary milestone, her 18th birthday.

The Lesser of Two Evils

Pills

After an hour reviewing the recent issues with breakthrough psychosis, the extreme anxiety around the requisite blood draws to check white blood cell count, and the real issue of this being the least stable time of year, I heard Tim’s new psychiatrist say the words that I knew were the right decision, but vex me nonetheless: "let’s leave him on the Clozaril, add 100 mg at midday, and postpone any big medication changes until his impending move to an 18 and over facility in May."

In the News Articles - Winter 2011

The best of news and research articles from publications nationwide, as selected by the The Balanced Mind Foundation, updated weekly.

Transitions are tough!

Brace yourself! Transitions are tough for kids with mood disorders, and the fall return to school is one of the biggest transitions our kids face.

You may notice a spike in anxiety and irritability in the weeks before school begins, as anticipation builds. It can be nearly impossible to rouse our kids from bed and get them dressed, fed and out the door when nothing much is planned. All this is magnified for the momentous first days of school.

The Mom Thing: Worry?

The thing about bipolar disorder is that it lifelong. It may finally submit to treatment and be tamed  for years. It may stay docile or, more likely, it will come out of hiding and snap or bite at times. It may be dormant but it does not go away. This frightening fact hit me hard as my daughter, Linea, and I were working on our book. She had become extremely ill. She was suicidal. She was hospitalized. She had ECT. She was finally able to go back to school. End of story. Great, happy ending and one that I wanted to believe. I wanted to call it good and end it there.

Personal Future Planning: a Step by Step Guide to Planning for the Transition to Life Beyond High School

Developed by Cinda Johnson, Ed.D., this planning document assists students and their education team in identifing strengths, experiences, aspirations and fears and how these can be applied to setting goals for post graduation.

Support Eases the College Transition

The transition from high school to college is stressful for all young adults. For those with mental illness, the path is more perilous, and seeking support and the accommodations is especially important.  

Survey Results of The Balanced Mind Foundation Membership September 2009

We received over 1000 responses to our recent survey; thank you for your feedback. The results of the survey are clear: The Balanced Mind Foundation is needed now more than ever!  I want to share some of the most revealing responses.

 

Transitioning from Teen To Adult

by Donna Gilcher
adapted for
Flipswitch by Sara Hunter

Teenagers with bipolar disorder face many challenges as they transition from childhood to adulthood. You must begin planning for life after high school, careers, and independent life long before your 18th birthday or high school graduation. Life after high school can create a greater need for emotional support and social structure and it can be hard to find that support in a college setting or at home.

With that thought in mind, It may be a good idea to investigate transitional programs aimed at individuals with disabilities between the ages of 18-24. These programs can offer a helpful stepping-stone that provides structure and support while nurturing one’s need for independence. They also provide opportunities for development of employability, independent living, and social skills while strengthening awareness of living with bipolar disorder.

Transitioning from Teen To Adult

by Donna Gilcher
adapted for
Flipswitch by Sara Hunter

Teenagers with bipolar disorder face many challenges as they transition from childhood to adulthood. You must begin planning for life after high school, careers, and independent life long before your 18th birthday or high school graduation. Life after high school can create a greater need for emotional support and social structure and it can be hard to find that support in a college setting or at home.

With that thought in mind, It may be a good idea to investigate transitional programs aimed at individuals with disabilities between the ages of 18-24. These programs can offer a helpful stepping-stone that provides structure and support while nurturing one’s need for independence. They also provide opportunities for development of employability, independent living, and social skills while strengthening awareness of living with bipolar disorder.