NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Greenbrier Valley will meet Thursday, May 21, at 6 p.m., at St. James Episcopal Church on Court Street in Lewisburg. This meeting will focus on “Loving Someone with bipolar disorder.” Bipolar Disorder (BPD) is a major mental illness that, like other illnesses, can take a toll on a relationship. The person without the illness can begin to feel more like a crisis manger and care-taker than a partner/spouse. Children can become confused and angry. Parents may be at a loss as to how to cope. Since estimates are that 7 million people live with BPD, the numbers of persons affected are three to four times that number. References for this meeting will be portions of the book, Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder co-authored by Julie Fast and John Preston, Psy.D. Julie Fast has lived with BPD for 30 years. The content of the book is not to be used as a substitute for any counseling or psychiatric assistance any person may be receiving. NAMI has been in existence since 1980. It is dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and we offer education, support and advocacy for all who suffer from the symptoms and effects of mental illness. Meetings are open to all. For further information, call Carol Jones at 304-445-7866 or Suzanne Williams at 304-646-1236.
