The purpose of this blog will be to describe aspects of the mental illness journey that my son “Bill” and I took together: the illness episodes, the emergency room visits, hospitalizations, medication issues, and interludes of stability and success. I will share my thoughts about aspects of his treatment that worked, treatment dilemmas that families face, legal decisions, and finally the tremendous strain that we all face confronting a terrible illness with inadequate resources.

In writing about my struggles, I hope to help others to understand mental illness better in themselves, or in their friends and loved ones. Every family’s situation is different, yet there are common elements, including recognizing the warning signs, getting help, understanding the different medications and their side effects, learning the ropes of the mental health........

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