Hi,
What’s new?
I was just checking out the weather for the day because I am going hiking and I noticed that I saw Britney Spears again.
She was on two different channels.
You’re not going to believe this –
I remember I was watching TV one night and there was this special on about treatment facilities, and there was a small part where she was mentioned and about how she still keeps going in and out of them because of her (supposed) bipolar disorder and, of course, addictions.
I know I’ve talked before about how people who have bipolar disorder and addictions have an especially hard time because you have to treat both disorders.
If your loved one has an addiction problem, the best thing for them to do is to stop. That’s it, just stop.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying it’s as easy as that, I know it isn’t. But there is no other way.
“Regular” people can’t just go to some posh resort-type treatment center where there is catered food and massages, though.
(Yea, they really were showing massages and catered food on this show at these posh treatment facilities!)
“Regular” people, especially those with bipolar disorder, have to suffer through detoxification from alcohol and drugs without being catered to.
Once detoxified, they can address their bipolar disorder issues.
But they cannot do that without medication and therapy – in other words, without a good treatment plan.
In my courses/systems below:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
I have several sections where I outline exactly what a good treatment plan is, and I go into great detail on how to manage bipolar disorder, how to be a good supporter, etc.
What I’m talking about today, though, is that I don’t think it’s fair that someone like a Britney Spears gets all this special treatment and posh recovery centers for her bipolar disorder, while other people have to struggle with theirs.
Here’s a case in point:
I know someone who moved to Louisiana. She has bipolar disorder, but she is just a “regular person.”
Unfortunately, she moved right into the heart of “Katrina Country.”
She said things are so bad there that it took her months and months just to be able to find a therapist, and even longer to be able
to get an appointment to be able to see that therapist.
That’s because of all the buildings that were destroyed because of Katrina. All the therapists had to find new buildings to put their practices so they could see their clients.
Then, with all the time that was lost, they were back-to-back with their regular clients, so being a new client, it pretty much takes forever in that area to be able to see a therapist.
And yet it is SO very important as part of a good treatment plan to see a therapist!
So what I’m talking about, I guess, is just how unfair it is that people who have a lot of money can just walk right in and get the care they want any time they want, while the rest of the “regular” people, or the people on disability (which is alot of the people who have bipolar disorder) have to struggle to even get in to see a therapist.
Not fair, is it?
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. Agree with me or disagree?
Hey I have to run. Catch you tomorrow.
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David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
Post responses below
This is the very sad situation that I have found with my son, who is 27 and just recently diagnosed with bi-polar. I’m having a hard time getting him to take meds on time and go to see his psychiatrist. His father (my-ex) has told him this is all a much of pyscho-babble and that all he really needs is a good night sleep. I’m suffering this e veryday without any help or support rom his father. How do I go about getting him to do what he’s supposed to and getting him out from under his father continually telling him it’s just a bunch of garbage…………it’s so hard and I don’t know how to fight it.
Not only is it sad, it is downright criminal. I have a loved one with bipolar disorder who was released from a treatment facility against her doctor’s orders simply because she convinced a probate court judge (who convenes court at the facility) that she was ready to go home. There was no family input into this decision because the case worker “didn’t have time ” to contact us, even though I insisted on notification of any upcoming court appearance. “Regular people” and even worse, poor people, continue to get crappy treatment for bippolar disorder.
Good morning, Dave.
What is your real point? It’s always been this way: the folks who have some disposable income or health insurance can get better care. And they can obtain medicines by giving up food or a proper roof over their head. I was on public aid for some time and had to wait to see the doctor to get the “free” medicines. I also had to pay what I could on a sliding scale.The only time I got iddediate care was when I needed to get into the hospital or respite. The majority of bipolar victims are in this boat.
As for the celebrities, maybe they don’t develop the inner strength and determination like the rest of us have to do. Why? Because everything is provided and they get pampered. So id they make an effort to manage their own disease? It’s the drinkin’, druggin’ and clubin’ that triggered the disorder.
I beleive that lifestyle and environmental factors inoculate the petry dish of most disorders. Call it exposure to risk It’s not all genetic. I was OK most of my life until the pressures of raising family and profession broke me. That’s environment I lived in.
I spent significant time in the hosptial, clinics and respites. And I have to tell you, it “ain’t no club.” But it sure beats living on the streets and no meds. The celebrities have’nt had to face that.
Yes, Mr.Oliver,It is not fair.While people who support a member of the family are going thru an awfull pain of seeing someone not being themself and suffering a lot…with no money,there are limitations on how to help,even getting your course(which would be nice and helpful)We learn as we go,sometime good,sometime no sooo good.With God’s help we manage one day at a time.Thanks for being there…
Life is not fair and that is a matter of the fact, that to live means there will be pain that is not Fair. Bipo or not, life is just plain not fair no matter how you look at it. And New Orleans didn’t have to suffer from Katrina nearly as bad as it did, if some people had their the heads on prevention rather than wait until after the fact. A lot of New Orleans didn’t have to suffer as badly as they did. It was just plain knowledge, and not doing anything about it, that a hurricane would eventually hit the New Orleans area and the dramatic effect it would have. The morons in charge played poker with a lot of people’s lives and lost. There is no one else to blame for the devastation that could have been prevented. Sorry about rambling, but that has been a sore spot since it happened and so many people died who didn’t need to die such a horrifying death!
I largely agree. Even if you have money, which I don’t, you may not get the best help being bi-polar with an addiction. Often the double whammy appears before people who have no idea how to handle multiple “major” issues. But on to better news…. Lake Chelan, in Washington state, has a GREAT program for individuals who are bipolar, and the have individuals who know how to help, on many different spheres, or aspects of family trauma, addictions, bipolar, mpd, ptsd, etc. There are also individual plane and pilot program that flies out of closer states for almost nothing to get the individuals to the hospital. It is a small pretty place, overlooking the lake, but they do accept medicaid/medicare. Their help was beyond immeasurable! Thank you Lake Chelan Community Hospital.
It is really hard to get someone to stop their addictions and take their meds. My husband has gone to the Dr. and takes his meds but will not stop drinking beer and smoking pot . He is not stable and feels tired all of the time. He blames his meds for that. I can not help feel if he would quit his other addictions his meds would work better.
As far as Britney goes I believe the idiots that follows her around is causing her the problems.Being a regular Joe like me couldn’t understand what torment she goes through.Being constantly STALKED and it not being illegal
in her case is what is making her turn to all the crazy stuff she does.I bet if she was a regular Joe and had a “normal”
life (what ever that is) she wouldn’t be this bad.
Put yourself in her place…if you had people outside with cameras and constantly IN YOUR FACE wouldn’t you be angry.She just isn’t strong enough to fight it anymore so she turns to drugs , alcohol ,etc.I’m suprised she hasn’t
gone postal on the creeps.
I love my peace and quiet but I still have problems I have to deal with…at least in my head.
The state of Tennessee no longer cares about its poor or sick. They are steadily dropping them off medicaid (former TennCare) My daughter & her husband are both bi-polar and he’s sick a lot with digestive, kidney stones,
collapsed lungs, etc. can not get healthcare insurance, couldn’t afford it because he misses work a lot due to sickness and with three kids. They barely eat and live in our garage apt. yet illegals come in and get anything handed to them free. They have about bankrupted our state so taxpaying citizens and their kin are at the mercy of the world. Times are getting worse. What can people do? I worked for 26 years and now have cancer for the third time and can’t afford to help. Just pray, that’s all we can do and give them our love.
About the rich and famous…….everything is easier to access for them.
When they have addictions, or some kind of illness or disorder…it’s seemingly a boost to their notariety. They become spokesman, and even revered for being so forthright……keeping their name in the media.
Regular people just have a challenge and sometimes it seems there is no good answer without a lot of help….and a lot of frustration.
The satisfaction is the improvement of life , once the help is found.
Kathryn
I have a bipolar son who has been fighting the drug and alcohol demons since he was a teen-ager. His friends always said he was a wacked out drunk. Instead of being the fun party guy, he was the guy who was talking weird, quoting bible verses and telling everyone he was going to save the world. Now it is 14 years later, and he is still fighting the bipolar diagnosis, won’t take his meds, and is still battling addiction problems. He is in and out of trouble with the law, and his probation officer said that until he admits his problem and takes his meds, his problems will just continue on. The probation officer said he see this all of the time, and there are only two endings when the offender will not take his meds… jail or death!
This is a very sad prediction, but I am afraid he is probably right on.
This same probation officer also said that until he takes his meds he won’t be able to quit drinking, because the alcohol is his meds of choice.
So I am contradicting what David Oliver said. He said that the substance abuse problem needs to be addressed first, and then the bipolar problem. I say the bipolar problem needs to be addressed first, and then the alcohol problem will probably fall into place. Once the bipolar is addressed and taken care of, the substance abuse problem will be easier to take care of.
Does anyone else have any comments about this? Is it easier for a person with bipolar disorder to quit alcohol and drugs if they are on medication for bipolar?
Thanks, and hope to get some feedback!
About the rich and famous…….everything is easier to access for them.
When they have addictions, or some kind of illness or disorder…it’s seemingly a boost to their notariety. They become spokes-people, and even revered for being so forthright……keeping their name in the media.
Regular people just have a challenge and sometimes it seems there is no good answer without a lot of help….and a lot of frustration.
The satisfaction is the improvement of life , once the help is found.
Kathryn
I have a bipolar son who has been fighting the drug and alcohol demons since he was a teen-ager. His friends always said he was a wacked out drunk. Instead of being the fun party guy, he was the guy who was talking weird, quoting bible verses and telling everyone he was going to save the world. Now it is 14 years later, and he is still fighting the bipolar diagnosis, won’t take his meds, and is still battling addiction problems. He is in and out of trouble with the law, and his probation officer said that until he admits his problem and takes his meds, his problems will just continue on. The probation officer said he see this all of the time, and there are only two endings when the offender will not take his meds… jail or death!
This is a very sad prediction, but I am afraid he is probably right on.
This same probation officer also said that until he takes his meds he won’t be able to quit drinking, because the alcohol is his meds of choice.
So I am contradicting what David Oliver said. He said that the substance abuse problem needs to be addressed first, and then the bipolar problem. I say the bipolar problem needs to be addressed first, and then the alcohol problem will probably fall into place. Once the bipolar is addressed and taken care of, the substance abuse problem will be easier to take care of.
Does anyone else have any comments about this? Is it easier for a person with bipolar disorder to quit alcohol and drugs if they are on medication for bipolar?
Thanks, and hope to get some feedback!
I am so sick of the Poor Mental Health Care in this Country ! My 41 yr old brother is living w/ me – he has suffered most of his life from depression. My son is 22 and he too has had a very difficult life already just making the day to day work. I was relieved when my brother finally decided to get help but frustrated at the same time. I know the battle that lied ahead. Many years of Poor therapy and Medication that left my son suicidal or violent left me quite bitter. The first therapist we went to for my brother kept checking his watch to see how much time was left in our session. Then he would struggle to find what I felt were questions that really didn’t pertaine to a person w/ clinical depression. The next session again he checked his watch frequently then asked my brother to elaborate on his Cocaine addiction. My brother never did Cocaine !! He insisted we talked about it last session.. No way !! I was there and I know my brother.. Alcohol is his drug of choice. The following week we were to see a Psychiatrist. We showed up on time and waited 30 mins. The office manager came out to let us know the Dr. was 45 mins. behind. We thought in session. She wasn’t even there ! 5 People were ahead of us. We waited 1 1/2 hrs before she came.
Try keeping a manic person from tearing down the walls, and then be willing to return . He already feels like the world doesn’t care and especially the people who are in the field who have shown no interest in being prepared for a session or respect for the fact that coming to the Doctor is so difficut . I feel I was my sons best advocate by educating myself then teaching him. I’m afraid I will losse my brother- this process sucks!
Yes, David, it’s not fair. But money still shouts. Psychiatric care is not and never will be cheap. Especially for shrinks that are competent and capable. And they are hard to come by.
I have OCD that was caused by a head injury, plus a familial tendency. The majority of shrinks think it was caused by something traumatic that happened to me, because that’s what DSM-IV and Freud say. And they go all through my past, on something that can’t be changed,rather than give me a method of coping and be a coach.
One even had the nerve to say that I was suppressing homosexual tendencies, without hardly knowing me. He used inductive reasoning-make a statement, then support it. Not good for mental problems.
People have always had problems. About a third of people have a crisis that requires counsel. The support mechanism that was around, family and church, have been marginalized.
The first step in solving a problem is to admit there is a problem. That is hard for people with bipolar, more so than others. They hate the depression, but they like being manic. My brother has bipolar. I know.
The mania allows them to go through a lot of work in a short time. Plus the adrenaline rush they get. A lot of creative types have bipolar. They won’t take their meds because they feel like it kills their muse.
In short, the best thing for ordinary people to do is examine their lives and take action if something is off keel. No one can help you if you won’t accept it, including God.
You ought to be able to get meds from your physician and have a level headed friend or family member tell you if you are outside of the norm. And the norm does exist. It’s the same question as with OCD-does it rule my life? Has it driven good people away from me? Is what I am doing normal?
Ther are also many, many self help books on these problems. And they are relatively cheap, and in the public library. The biggest problem people have is denial, and blaming on someone or something else, when it’s their life to live.
Don’t go looking for the govenment to solve it, either, for the above mentioned reasons. The govenment is bankrupt, and will only raise taxes to get marginal mental heathcare workers. If you’re good at it, the government is the last place you’ll go, with their insane regs and constant rule changes.
I may have said some things that made people angry, but it’s the truth.
Griff, et al.
As far as BP is concerned, it IS genetic. (Schizophrenia is the one that is part genetic, part environmental.) It doesn’t discriminate between people who are rich or poor, drug takers or people who don’t partake of drugs or drink. Sure, these things can trigger the latent illness, but they don’t cause it.
As for Britney … Dave, why do you say “supposed” BP? That’s the diagnosis. Why doubt it? Law of averages says there must be many show-business people with BP. So, why can’t she be one of them?! She’s just like the rest of us moody mutts! She got the same bad deal, the same cracked mould the rest of us got when we were being shaped in Heaven! So, she’s got expensive and immediate therapy and psychiatric help. Then she’s a lucky girl to have it, which is no reason for those of us who haven’t to be jealous, or envious of her good fortune. Good luck to her, I say. I hope she soon recovers and builds back to being fully functional because her high profile will serve as a great roll model for people with BP, showing what can be achieved IN SPITE of BP.
Sherri
The problem you’d have in addressing the BP before the alcohol is that the BP medication won’t work properly (or at all) if it is being mixed with booze. So, in theory, he’ll have to quit “drinking the sauce” before he takes any kind of prescription meds. But life ain’t so perfect, it ain’t like that. Some kind of compromise will probably be needed in the short-term, and to get him there, you may need some measure of leverage. By the sound of it, being parted from her child, with the promise of access IF she co-operated with the docs, shoved Britney in the right direction at last. Look for something you can use as leverage to force his hand into co-operating.
The Rich & Famous!
We all know how that works. We live in a capitalistic society and if there is money to be made, then certainly the rich and famous will be catered to-first and far most.
We have no control over that. What we should do is partition some of these big corporate companies that profits off the backs of the poor and middle class people to give back to society. They are always bragging about their profits, paying their CEO’s huge salaries but don’t want to help the people at the bottom of the totem pole.
They spend billions of dollars on advertisement and non-sense.
When is someone going to realize that we are all on the Titanic and it is surely sinking, therefore we are all subject to go under.
Most of the problems and neglect is due to pure GREED!!!!!!!
People don’t want a had-out; they want a way-out.
They don’t want to feel invisible, or unworthy because of their circumstances, people or hurting, struggling, sick and homeless simply because of greed- not education, or disabilities. People with disabilities work.
People come here to this country everyday without any education, some don’t even speak the language yet, get better jobs and health care than the people that has helped make this county what it is today.
I’m not against anybody- I am for people from anywhere that is making a better life for themselves.
But, Something is wrong with this picture.
People develop physiological problems because most of us are only a few pay checks away from being homeless and knowing that most have worked hard all of their life and then we help is needed – suddenly help is damn near unattainable. That SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, life is not fair, But, Don’t you think We are all entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If we don’t stand for something, then we will continue to fall for anything.
And if we can’t love and serve our fellow man, then our living is indeed in vain.
I wish each and everyone of you peace of mind, blessings from the Divine, mental clarity and a wealth of health.
For real.
I agree and not only for bi polars . My son was diagnosed as paranoid szophrenic nd we were lucky enough to have a community mental health facility in town. How ever He had a bad time with doctors who changed meds on him due to bad reactions and ended up putting him in to a commitose state by not giveing him time between meds and he nearly died cause the care home he was in at the time would not call his case worker or family or family doctor. My next younger son had to get hold of his worker and the worker had to call the family doctor. If we could have afforded a better care facility this might not have happened.
“The scrupulous and the just, the noble, humane, and devoted natures,
the unselfish and the intelligent may begin a movement- but it passes
away for them.
They are not the leaders of a revolution, They are its victims.”
Joseph Conrad.
Wow! Look at all these replies – with a lot of emotion attached.
There are problems in New Orleans, there are problems with the Tenn. Mental Health system.. Look at all the people who are wanting to get the help, but the “system” is letting them down. On top of dealing with bipolar, they’re dealing with inability to pay rent and bills, inability to find psychiatrists and therapists, inability to get the meds needed for treatment. To the person who spoke of the fine Community Mental Health Center in Washington state – I’m so glad it’s there for you. It should be
available to everyone who needs help in this country.
A comment was made about how illegal immigration may be a large part of the problem – I agree wholeheartedly. Our healthcare system is simply going broke – the moneys are not available. That’s a problem and that’s not fair to American citizens, and I can’t for the life of me understand why someone (ie: Congress) won’t do something about it.
Then there are the people who deny that they have problems and refulse to seek help. That’s another story – that’s not an easy problem to solve.
You simply can’t make someone admit they have a problem and need help.
I think that Britney falls into that category. For all her money, no one can make her get the help. Many celebrities are going down the tubes; so their money isn’t doing them any good. If they’re in denial, there’s nothing that anyone can do for them. Even if they go to the fancy treatment centers, or are hospitalized, if they have an attitude that they don’t want help, nothing can be done. I worry about Britney.. for all her money, she’s got a worse prognosis than some of us who are struggling financially.
I agree with Dave and Graham about people who have “dual diagnosis” (substance abuse plus a psych diagnosis) – the addiction must be addressed first. Someone who’s actively addicted can not participate in treatment for bipolar disorder. But addiction is a very, very nasty thing-
the main symptom is denial, and even if they manage to get treatment,
relapse is one of the symptoms. If forget the percentages, but a high number of people who go through treatment do relapse. Part of the problem is that the treatment is inadequate. Most people go for a week or two, if they go at all. I heard an addiction specialist on TV say that people who are addicted should have a minimum of six months of treatment at a high quality facility. Who can afford that? (except Britney).
And, while a person can be committed in an acute manic state or if they’re suicidal, no one can be forced into addiction treatment. A small percentage of addicts/ alcholics do manage to stay clean and sober, many because of 12 step programs (although those don’t work for everyone, and some manage without it).
Blah, blah, blah. Sorry I’ve written so much… It’s just that I personally know people who are in a real crisis – psychiatrically, meeting basic needs, and today many have written that they’re in the same boat. It isn’t right… My stepmother, a social worker in a crisis center, took a trip to Hong Kong, and made the comment that, over there, they take care of their own.
Our healthcare system is broken in America, especially when it comes to
mental health treatment. Something’s got to be done. Watch carefully for the Representatives, Senators and presidential candidates – and vote
for the ones who seem to understand the problem. (beware of National
Healthcare – there are many hidden dangers there).
Hey Dave,
Haven’t you heard the one about the Golden Rule? He who has all the gold makes all the rules! And yes, they are free to break them at any time.
Poverty vs. Wealth has gone on since civilization began. We as peons, can be glad we are not building pyramids, or suffering like they did in the dark ages. We do have a lot to be grateful for. No we don’t get our toenails trimmed and our food catered if we are lucky enough to have insurance to get to a hospital when we need one, but it could be worse, and was worse for a long, long time. I don’t want to diminish any one’s suffering, there are people without insurance and die because of it, but I don’t know what we can do about it. I try to reach out and help the people I can, that are within my reach, even if I have to stretch a bit, I help who I can where I can with what I do have.
I have tried writing letters to my congressman, and get a form letter back, thanking me for my input, but it never does any good. This country is run by rich people, for the rich people, not for the people, by the people. I wish there were something more I could do, but I am doing everything I can to help those I can. And that is all any of us can do. You are helping a lot of people yourself, and I thank you!
Tough topic today. But a cold hard reality that the people with money make money, while those disabled aren’t given enough to survive on. They tell me I am supposed to work to supplement my income that I get from disability… If I COULD WORK, I wouldn’t be on DISABILITY!!!! That just goes to show you how out of touch with reality the politicians really are!
???
Bob
Well, unfair ???That is life…Just do what we can do and pray and surrender all to God
i agree, it is so hard to get into a pschyiatrist in our area so bad in fact that child adolescent psych is 3-4mths wait(or more) and until we see one amm unable to get right meds, diagnosis since first visit to gp is now nearing 1 year. i’m praying nothing too serious happens mum
Well I say there are the Brittany’s and then there are the rest of us. “The rest of us”, those living on the edge of poverty, basically have to make do with what we have or are able to get. My dau has been battling with addictions vs. the meds for quite some time now. I think she’s starting to get the picture but it’s a constant battle with her on why, when, how whatever to keep it in her head that street drugs and alcohol are not the way. I get really tired sometimes, but I cannot give up. I love her and I’m all she has. Her father doesn’t give a damn about her.
Thank you for what you have sent me I understand a little bet better. Sorry, I do not have any money to buy any of your books. I have been in a bad car wreck,have been dead for two and a hafl hours my parents don,t let me have any thing
Dear Dave
I could not agree with you more on this subject it is unfair for those people who have to literally fight their way through the average day in hopes that they can be somewhat ” normal ” to have to also fight to get the help that they need. Then you have celebraties and the rest of the people with money who may or may not have this disease, who may or may not have copped out and blamed this disease when they ended up in trouble ” yes this does happen ” . Then they hand out a chunk of change to a treatment facility and are better in a few days for a few days. Now I’m no expert but my girlfriend has to survive this with the help of me and her family through your emails, a doctor or two and the inner turmoil that she herself creates. And allthough she is a very strong person I feel that strength would increase if she had access to a top notch treatment facility only because it would not be the food or pampering she would be interested in . She caught me reading your emails a while back and now I have to keep track of what I read last because she is always reading my mail to see what else she can learn.. I mean she brought my attention to one of your newsletters about the smell of lavender and its positive side affects, all I can say is im glad it wasnt cow manuer cause the house allways smells like lavender and my mail is read almost daily. This is in no way a complaint , I’m just saying i’m not the one who bought the lavender incense. Once again thank you Dave and remember the next time you are in doubt that there are at least two people out here who you and your work have helped and, are still helping every day….
THANKS DAVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dereck
I agree that it’s very unfair. I wouldn’t be in therapy right now, if it were’t for my housing (I have a subsidy) case mgr. arranged for it out of her office @ Lutheran Social Services. I ‘make more money’ than some on disability, as the amt. is based on what you paid into the system when you were working. (Was a 12-yr. nursing career, yrs. ago.) I make too much to be eligible for food stamps, and have a HUGE share-of-cost on my medicale, SUPPOSEDLY MONTHLY. Thank God I still have my Medicare Part D/AARP insurance, which is paying for my prescriptions; I take several for bipolar and other diseases (hi Bp, etc.) and several of them are very expensive. I really don’t know what’s gonna happen to me in the future.
Hi.
Apparently life is unfair.
Perhaps I should not be satisfied to have a life like B.S. I don’t know.
Struggles have their importance and influence your way to understand and to …enjoy life.
Bye
Myo, Your post seems rather Buddhist-like in content and style of expression.
Hi all fellow supporters
It is always wonderful to read the blogs and discover that world wide there are people on the same page as yourself. It makes you appreciate the successes you have had in your role as supporter. Luckily we have medical aid (insurance) In South Africa this means makes a huge difference as you get to be treated by a private psychiatrist and when you require admission, admission to a private clinics. These clinics are certainly not posh if compared to the Brit Spears variety but they do have caring psychiatric nurses, comfortable surroundings and Group Theraphy.
Of course we do have the odd scrap with the Medical Aid when they refuse to pay for certain medications. (new or too expensive!)
The thing about clinics is that at some time you have to go home and face the real world. My husband is an alcoholic/bipolar, only when he went into detox in a public hospital (our town did not have a private clinic at that stage) did we discover the underlying bipolar disorder, he was in his late thirties at the time (now 57) It took a lot of work at home, even the children became mini-supporters, they understood far more than I thought they would. There have been one or two manic episodes over the years that required hospitalization to bring him back down to earth again, but by and large the bulk of the support has been from home, so I agree, no pampering clinic is really required just kindness, understanding, boundaries and plenty of sincere support.