This book really gave me a better perspective on what it is like for someone with bipolar disorder and how maddening it truly can be for them. At the end of the book they list some interesting statistics, including the two that ring true for my mother: (1) Life expectancy of an adult with a serious mental illness is 25 years shorter than that of a person without and (2) the average age onset of bipolar disorder is 23 years. My mother was 23 when she was first hospitalized for what they thought was postpartum depression and she died at age 57.
After reading these two statistics I wondered what would life be for my mother if she never had the illness. Here is a list of my estimates for what could have happened:
- She may have never had kidney (renal failure) disease (she once took lithium-which later was found to cause kidney damage).
- Her diabetes may have never happened. My mother was fairly thin prior to her diagnosis, once diagnosed she packed on weight which probably increased the likelihood of her getting diabetes.
- She would have been a nurse and/or some type of scientist. My mother was extremely intelligent but the disorder robbed her of her true glory.
- Her and my father would have celebrated their 40th this year!
- and many more.
It's hard to believe that my mother spent 34 of her 57 years of life either having to deal with a mental illness and/or physical illness. Doesn't seem quite fair when there are tons of human beings running around being ungrateful for the life they were given and/or are choosing to live.
Thankfully my mother pains and heartaches provided me a valuable lesson on the true meaning of perseverance and the power of will to live regardless of what life throws you.
Moral of the Story: Stop complaining and start living because when your numbers up it's up!
