Boy Interrupted

As I stated previously, I like to pass along documentaries and movies that strike a particular cord with me where it pertains to mental health and caregivers.  Last night I came across a documentary called "Boy Interrupted".  It deals with a young boy with Bipolar Disorder. Even perhaps more so, it deals with the caregivers and friends who were loving and supportive in every way they knew how.

The documentary shows us that mental illness is a battle.  A battle that really isn't measured in wins and losses, but in steps forward and backward.  It also shows us that mental illness does not discriminate.  This family is affluent and structured.  We watch as they do everything that they feel they can do along the journey.

The story does not have a storybook ending.  As sad as this is, it helps us to understand the importance of continued treatment.  I refer to treatment as a "moving target" and it is nearly impossible to always know the right thing to do.  Just like a normal body, the body of someone with special needs changes.  They can also develop tolerances to drugs, or different reactions to drugs.  Drug interactions can be tricky when treating multiple issues. The individual can feel "better" and discontinue their drugs, or become so tired of side effects that it outweighs the actually sickness.  

Overall, I consider it one of the best documentaries I've seen yet.  It is definitely difficult to watch at times because it deals with itself head-on.  I believe the family's purpose here is to shed light on a very hard subject.  They show us the tug-of-war between unconditional love and Bi-polar disorder.  We see the many levels of struggle from the boy, friends, therapists, and family.

One of the most compelling things that I will share with you is that when this young man went through the depressed stages of his Bipolar, the family described that his face changed.  His face literally sagged and drooped with a lack of life in it.  When Tyler goes through his difficult times he also looks different.  His jaw becomes rigid and tense and you can see anxiety in his eyes.

Stories like these can be hard to watch in some respects.  However, it's important that we try to gain some perspective from other people's experiences.  Reality is the greatest teacher and for some things it's the only teacher.  

Be well and God bless.   Tom