Japan Earthquake

8.9 earthquake centered off the coast of Japan March 11, 2011, the largest recorded in history, triggering a tsunami that was more devastating than the quake itself. 4 trains filled with passengers missing, homes and cars washed away making each street unrecognizable with countless souls lost and many others injured loosing all they own.

How do you not get depressed from this tragedy? It can be especially depressing for people who suffer from mood disorders. Stop listening to the news if you find yourself being emotionally affected in a way that is harmful to yourself.

On the other hand, it's good to think of how prepared you are if a disaster hits, how much water, food and medical supplies you have as well as a week or two worth of RX drugs in reserve. It is more important for people with mental and mood disorders to be prepared because disasters will affect your moods more than the average person.

Having Children Knowing You Have A Mental Illness

Having a mental illness raises concerns for people who suffer from a mental illness from the RX drugs they are taking to passing on this illness to a child to the abilities or inabilities they may have or not have while raising children or mood fluctuations during pregnancy.

Drug concerns should be discussed with your doctor. Topamax that is used for a mood stabilizer, migraines, and weight lose, is now linked to a higher risk of your child developing cleft palate if you take it during pregnancy. There are some ant-depressants and other psychotic drugs that are known to be safe like Lithium while carrying a child and others that either aren't tested enough or harmful like sedative medication often used in treatment. If you plan on having children in the future near or far and being treated for a mental disorder, open a dialogue with your doctor about RX drugs that are safe for a future child you may carry.

Passing on the mental disorder you or your partner has is another concern when planning for your future within a family. Many studies link a genetics to mental disorders. In my family my Grandmother, cousin and many others have bipolar disorder like me. When I think of having children I used to question whether or not it's fair to have them if I knew the risk of passing along this trait is worth it.

Each person needs to come to there own conclusion, sifting through the emotional and factually information. For me, I'm glad I know what I may be passing on, who better to help a child through something like a mental disorder than some one who has overcome it themselves. We all pass some sort of strengths and weaknesses, at least I'm aware of an illness that potentially will be passed on.

I fear the possibility that I may suffer from mood swings while being pregnant and post pregnancy. Having a plan is key to be responsible and alleviate fear when planning children. Talking to your doctor about any RX drugs you are on and side effects going off drugs that aren't good while being pregnant is the first step. Bringing up emotional concerns with your doctor that you may have about hormones and childbirth should become a comfortable subject.

If you are asking the questions of whether or not you are able to be a parent while suffering from a mental disorder that in itself shows a level of responsibility. Some parents never fully see the downfalls or inabilities they have before raising children. If you are aware of difficulties you may have and are able to overcome your struggles, you need to look at that. Some people will never be able to be stable enough to raise children, it's a decision you need to make looking at your awareness, emotional and financial stability, social support as well as medical awareness.

Does Charlie Sheen Have Bipolar Disorder?

Charlie Sheen, the star of Two And A Half Men, has never been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but he shows classic signs. It's painful for me to watch his latest interviews because it brings me back in time before I was treated from his twitchy demeanor to clearly unhealthy elevated unpredictable state. He has done drug test before going to some of his interviews so drugs don't account for his behavior.

"I am on a drug. It's called Charlie Sheen. It's not available. If you try it once, you will die. Your face will melt off and your children will weep over your exploded body."

"It's perfect. It's awesome. Every day is just filled with just wins. All we do is put wins in the record books. We win so radically in our underwear before our first cup of coffee, it's scary. People say it's lonely at the top, but I sure like the view."

"People don't say you're the coolest guy in the world for 20 years if it's not true."

"I'm tired of pretending like I'm not special. I'm tired of pretending like I'm not bitching, a total fricking rock star from Mars, and people can't figure me out, they can't process me. I don't expect them to. You can't process me with a normal brain,"

"I have a grandiose life. I embrace it." Sheen expounded. "Sorry my life is so much more bitchin' than yours. I planned it this way."

"I'm proud of what I created. Why wouldn't I be? I exposed people to magic. I exposed them to something that they otherwise would not see in their boring normal lives. And I gave that to them!"

"I have one speed, I have one gear: Go." "What's the cure, medicine to make me like them? Not gonna happen. I'm bi-winning. I win here, I win there. Now what? If I'm bipolar, aren't there moments when a guy like crashes?"

It's obvious to me that he will continue his cycle of feeling on top of the world with feelings of grandeur then crash, most likely to abuse drugs and alcohol once again. In my experience the higher I felt, the greater the crash.

I don't want to bash him, I hope the best for him and his future but until he seeks treatment he will proceed to ride this uncontrollable roller coaster up and down and around again.

What are your opinions on this subject?