RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Bipolar Disorder: A Daughter’s Experience
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 473
OP 474
DO 10.1370/afm.1943
VO 14
IS 5
A1 Satya Rashi Khare
YR 2016
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/14/5/473.abstract
AB My father suffered from bipolar disorder. His illness placed an enormous strain on our relationship which, for the most part, was filled with turbulence. Although our family physician played an integral role in supporting my parents throughout the disease, I did not receive the same support and suffered as a consequence. In this essay, I describe my father’s manic and major depressive episodes, as well as my emotions that resulted from the experience. Treating mental illness goes beyond just treating the patient but rather encompasses the family as a whole. My relationship with my father may have been different had I learned effective coping strategies through the support of my family physician.