From Hell to Heaven: Is It Bipolar Disorder…or…Something Else?

The information in this book comes from my experience, opinion and personal interpretation of the research I have read. I am not a medical doctor only a mother trying to find answers to help my biological child.I grew up in a family where mood swings and depression were regarded more as some genetically-linked mental disorder, such as bipolar, rather than symptoms of stress. After all, my father was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder as a World War II Army Officer and my mother was homesick for her native country. For many years, family members assumed she had bipolar disorder, due to her mood swings.Unfortunately, my oldest child believed she had bipolar disorder, due to grandmother having it. When in fact, Michelle was really experiencing stress related to new conditions in her academic and social life. Michelle was given Zoloft by a primary provider. Upon learning about the side effects, Michelle went off the medication without being weaned off. Ignorant about withdrawal effects, Michelle convinced herself she had bipolar disorder and was placed on another prescriptive drug. When she began to hear voices caused by a mix-up with the medication, Michelle panicked and so did I.