LIVING WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER

My 44-year-old son is a brilliant labour lawyer. He also suffers from bipolar mood disorder. He wrote me this letter which I am sending to give your readers insight into what life is like with this condition.

MARIA, EMAIL

Dear Mom, I am writing to you because we can’t ever seem to be able to discuss heavy issues without either one of us getting upset. I know I have let you down terribly. Words cannot describe the guilt I feel and I am so very sorry. All I have to say, Mom, is I am sick. It’s a daily struggle. The meds are helping but it’s like putting a band aid on an open wound. My mood drops and I get depressed and the only thing I think about is how alcohol will take these terrible feelings away.

When I feel