Just thinking out loud......
Years ago I had to do some personal research w/r/t Bipolar Disorder.
Back then it was called Manic Depressive Disorder/Illness.
I need to keep updated with latest finds/meds/treatments so I often save Bipolar Illness web sites along with my regular NMHA updates.
This has probably been brought up a zillion times w/r/t Casey but after reading the docs and rewatching some video of her, and although I don't profess to be an expert in any way shape or form, I honestly feel in my heart (MHO) that we are seeing a severe case of Mania when it comes to this tragedy of the precious missing Caylee.
I am in NO way making excuses for Casey and as I tell people who ask---
Bipolar is NOT an excuse, but it's a reason.
Even in today's world where we are supposed to be so enlightened there is still a stigma related to mental illness.
In my experiencee I know two families right now who refuse to say the words 'mental illness' or 'Bipolar' when it comes to their adult children.
I know another family who would say the words but finish the sentence with "Not in OUR family".
The stigma is there.
Being a nurse doesn't mean you can come to terms with a mental illness in your own family.
Being someone (Cindy) who wants to make sure they present that perfect family facade, I can see a mental illness in the Anthony family being 'overlooked' or swept under the rug for years and years.
Through the years, talks with specialists, I've learned through many of them that if a person is predisposed to mental illness (runs in the family), especially Bipolar or Depression, sometimes it takes a traumatic event, a tragedy, or drastic change in life to bring the illness to the surface.
Could the birth of Caylee have been that catalyst for Casey?
I am including parts from several of the many Bipolar websites I have in my Favs List.
Although Bipolar Illness is talked about, I don't know that everyone knows the full array of symptoms, especially those of the Mania.
Bipolar Disorder Symptoms
Mania and
Depression are the opposing phases in bipolar disorder.
- Mania: A person in the manic phase may feel indestructible, full of energy, and ready for anything. Other times that person may be irritable and ready to argue with anyone who tries to get in the way.
- Unrealistic plans, spending sprees, an increase in sexual affairs, or other reckless behavior, also may occur.
- Less sleep and food than usual are needed.
- The person with mania can stay up all night but may find that not much was accomplished because he or she was easily distracted.
- The person in a manic phase may talk very quickly and jump from subject to subject. They often exhibit pressured speech during mania.
- Self-esteem may be inflated.
- Decisions regarding business and finances are often made hurriedly and without careful consideration; poor choices may be the result.
- Clothing choices may also change, and the person in a manic phase may start wearing brighter, more sexual, more flamboyant clothes.
- These behaviors, which can be quite upsetting, usually prompt a family member to take notice and try to get the person help.
- Most people who are going through the manic phase of bipolar disorder deny that anything is wrong with them and refuse to see a medical professional.
- They are grandiose and may have delusions (false ideas) of grandeur (greatness).
- Some people with bipolar disorder cycle between the two extremes every few months or weeks. Other people with bipolar disorder may cycle several times within the same day.
- Signs of mania
- Increased activity and gestures (pacing, tapping feet)
- Inflated self-esteem
- Poor judgment
- Racing thoughts
- Decreased need for sleep
- Poor temper control
- Irritability
- Pressured speech: The person speaks very fast, as if his or her mouth can't keep up with the rapid thoughts. The person may be unable to respond to social cues to stop talking.
- Increased activities with high risk of painful consequences (sexual affairs, gambling, risky investments)
- Psychotic symptoms
- Delusions (false beliefs)
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real)
- ---------------------------------------------
Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
Decreased need for sleep (e.g., one feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep)
More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
Flight of ideas or subjective experience that thoughts are racing
Attention is easily drawn to unimportant or irrelevant items
Increase in goal-directed activity (either socially, at work or school, or sexually) or psychomotor agitation
Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences (e.g., engaging in unrestrained buying sprees, sexual indiscretions, or foolish business investments
have no idea what's going on, I just woke up an hour ago
