By Anonymous (a physician)

I have a terrible wish that breaks my heart. I wish my son had childhood leukemia instead of what he does have, a mental illness called childhood bipolar disorder (BP).

You see, if only my son had childhood leukemia instead of BP…

He would have a 90% chance of being cured and only a 10% chance of dying.

Family and friends would rally to support him and us. They would stay at his bedside. They would send cards and balloons and flowers. They would prepare meals for us. They would be there for him and us.

Foundations would answer his fondest wish, and professional athletes and clowns would come to his bedside to bring him a smile.

He would be treated on a caring cancer ward in a beautiful children's hospital made possible by gifts from private individuals and foundations. Our insurance company would not put a limit on the number of days he could spend in the hospital, and there would be plenty of outstanding pediatric oncologists willing to treat him.

If he needed $100,000 for a bone marrow transplantation, medical insurance would cover it. If not, family, friends, and strangers would donate money to ensure that he received the life-saving treatment.

But my son does not have leukemia. He has a mental illness and…

This is a letter to The Balanced Mind Foundation from a parent.

by Elizabeth Tunney Williams, The Balanced Mind Foundation Development Director

I am 33 and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 3 years ago (1998), around the same time I went into rehab for alcohol abuse. I have Bipolar II and, according to my psychiatrist, cycle much faster than the majority of people in that category. I was told in rehab that as many as half the people who come in for alcohol abuse have bipolar. It’s only natural that a thirteen-year-old with bipolar would try to quiet his mind or get to sleep using alcohol, as I did.