I was diagnosed several years ago with bi-polar disorder and although I have a history of rage, anger and manic ups, as well as the crash of severe depression I never harmed one of my children. I HAVE harmed abusive partners, hateful family members (all adults with vicious mouths) and thieving co-workers. I learned, through therapy that my outbursts were all towards people who in one way or another hurt me. I thank God above for the medication I am on. I have to ask if the woman who killed her child may have also been schizophrenic. I have found in my research there is a fine line between certain types of bi-polar and schizophrenia. In fact, many of the meds used in bi-polar treatment also treat schizophrenia.
As far as my children went, I was like Linda Hamilton. I had HORRIFIC thoughts of things that might happen to them. Total paranoia when it came to my children's saftey.

IN MY OPION I DONT THINK SO, I HAVE BEEN BIPOLAR SINCE I WAS 18 AND NOW IM 51 I DO SAY I HAVE A HATEFUL MOUTH BUT I HAVE NEVER TRIED OR KILLED ANYONE. I WAS TO BUSY TRYING TO KILL MYSELF. ITS HARD TO SAY IF THIS WOMEN WAS NOT ON HER MEDICATION FOR A WHILE SHE MIGHT OF GOTTEN VOIES LIKE WE ALL DO, BUT THAT STILL DOESNT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO KILL ANOTHER HUMAN BEING , SHE SHOULD OF KILLED HERSELF. IM GLAD THIS IS COMING ON THE AIR BECAUSE I HAVE WRITTEN OPRAH SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT A SHOW CONCERNING BI-POLAR, PEOPEL SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE ILLNESS AS WELL AS OTHER MENTAL ILLNESS AND IF YOU STAY ON YOUR MEDICATIONS AND GET PROFESSINAL HELP YOU WILL BE ON YOUR WAY TO BEING A HEALTY LOVING PERSON. LIKE PATTIE DUKE HAS BEEN DOING AFTER SHE FOUND OUT WHAT SHE HAD, TO ME SHE IS MY MENTOR I HAVE HER MOIVE CALL ME ANNA AND SEVERAL OF HER BOOKS, OPRAH YOU NEED TO HAVE HER ON YOUR SHOW THANK YOU RICHARD FROM GLENDALE HTS ILL.

My stepdaughter was diagnosed 2 yrs. ago. Our family has been through a lot, even before the diagnoses. My family has been turned up side down but I can say that it has gotten a bit easier as time goes by. I am so glad that there is going to be a show on this subject. I would love to chat with someone who has been diagnosed. I would like some understanding, some hope. She, Lacy is now 16. I have so many questions that I am not able to ask her, probably never will be able to. Perhaps I could better understand her way of thinking if I had someone to talk to that understands what she is going through. Thank you, Sharon My email: franklin273@insightbb.com

Wow... that is a heavy and sensitive issue...I apologize in advance for the lengthy soapbox session, but this is very personal and serious issue for me. As soon as I heard about this episode, I had to write about it right away. Like many others that have commented, I live with Bipolar disorder and manage it it with a doctor's care and medication. In the past I have been a member and spokesperson for NAMI in a southern local chapter. Great things have come from people with Bipolar disorder... typically, they are high producers and highly creative, as indicated by Dr. Jamison's book, Touched With Fire. Many, many artists and well-known individuals contributed great cultural and literary works to society.
A life lost, yes, and even a greater lesson learned... the mother who was over-worked, pressured, and burn-out to keep up the status quo and unable to take time for diagnosis and to care for herself, yielded a tragic event. Or even a father could have been in her shoes... I believe beyond the fact of whether the person has an existing mental illness is not the issue... ANYONE can snap... a bad hair day, and ugh... TRAFFIC... so REST and a BALANCED LIFE is a key factor. Even God rested. And He was God!
In my experience, it may take much communication with your doctor and a little of experimentation to find the right medicine. Like clothes, what worked in your twenties may no longer work in your thirties, forties, and fifties. I have no children myself and very well may be unable to bear children due to my medication, as I have had a high rate of miscarriage. But, I accept that because I can focus my life on other positive things that God has to offer.
Another tip on bipolar is that if you know and understand your illness, the cycles, signs and symptoms, you can live with your illness and still be happy. I have noticed that a change in seasons such a extreme cold and heat "turn on" a switch in the cycles and periodically must be especially monitored during these seasonal changes... kind of like allergies...some are seasonally affected, like the "winter blues". Contrary to popular belief, the highest rate of suicide is not Christmas but May, which is incidentally a National Mental Health awareness month.
Her story is a very sad one... and even as dark as it is, it may save another life -- right now and today. One bad situation, I believe, can save thousands of others. Actually, there could be and probably is someone suffering when they don't have to be... and they should not be afraid of what people think or have to say about mental illness. We can read books, educate ourselves on all of this and more, but what truly counts in the eyes of God is how we react and treat those who are suffering.
Also, the DSM-IV is a medical reference that psychiatrists and those in the mental health field use in mental care. It is really an eye-opening resource in how many mental disorders there are. And there are so many nuances when it comes to diagnosis. I would have to say that in living with the disorder I have been diagnosed about 4 different ways. But, by and large, the types of medication have been in the same class for me.
Finding a GOOD doctor is very important... shop for your doctor... finding one that truly looks out for your best interest is very important and in some cases can be your life or the life of your unborn child. Find good referrals from a reliable network -- NAMI is a good resource.
Another consideration is that would PTSD cause one to hear voices? Could there actually be a more specific diagnosis on the situation as there are LEVELS of bipolar disorder? And, did she see more than one doctor for her diagnosis? Oh well... gotta wait until 4 pm to find out!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

We need more shows like this to bring open, honest, and raw discussions about brain disorders and mental illness. This show goes a long way to de-mystifying the stigma of what BiPolar is all about.

My heart goes out to the mom who killed her son. And to her friends who stick by her even today. Thank you for sharing what it's really like dealing with this disorder. Many can hear and have hope that there is help out there, and true friends don't leave you when they find out you need help.

I had a very dear friend commit suicide about a year and a half ago who had suffered a long time from this disorder, and was treatment resistant. I miss her very much.
Thank you for bringing this issue to your audience.

I was diagnosed a decade ago, then further treatment lead to a more specific diagnosis (schizoaffective bipolar type). The most important message that needs to come out of this is that this disorder is almost completely controlled with proper medication. Unfortunately, for many, this will never happen because the costs of the meds to treat bipolar disorder is extremely prohibitative if you do not have insurance or are not on any sort of government assistance. The medications I require are equal to my monthly salary (and I have no insurance). Drug companies will work with you but many people do not know about these assistance programs. Additionally finding affordable, competant treatment for those without insurance is very difficult. When your options are a county system that will not administer the meds that work for you verses no treatment you are in a bad place.

Last year my sister past away from BD. Why?? I have tried many times to write, to ask you and others to help people to become aware of disorder. My sister was diagnosed 5 months before she past away. After reading more on this (to late) I have found out that there are support groups and people who know have to care for this disorder.
Due to the medicines people thought my sister was drink or on illegal drugs.
Getting help from the state is very hard for a person with bipolar to do alone, that person needs a great deal of support.
Many doctors do not understand this condition and do not give the proper support. I'm trying to find ways to give my support.
This is a brain disorder.
I see no walks or fundraisers to help BD.
Why??
I miss my sister.. this is all I can write for now.

I totally agree with Rfbrichard. This is truly a terrible illness. But with treatment and medication, you can live a normal life. I'm also glad she is having that actor on from General Hospital, to hopefully validate that fact. I will watch the show later this afternoon. However the story on this website said that she was seeing her family doctor. She SHOULD have seen a psychiatrist. Any mental illness is beyond the expertise of a family doctor. That's why there are psychiatrists available.

Having a mental illness does not excuse ANYONE for any misconduct they may engage in. And, of course, killing a child goes well beyond "Misconduct." There is help out there, and while this mother may not have been diagnosed at the time she killed her son, she should have kept on pursing her options until she received the help she needed.

I am the mother of 2 children. I was diagnosed with bipolar after the death of my second child. There was NEVER EVER a moment when I considered harming either of my children for a SECOND. Instead, before I even had my diagnosis, if I felt I couldn't handle my children by myself, I always asked for help. There is help available, but you have to seek it out. It won't come knocking on your door!

Thank-you Oprah! I watched your show today because I have been hospitalized for depression and while there I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I tried Lithium and Depakote reluctantly and took myself off of the medication because I believed I was misdiagnosed until today. Today, I hope, begins my journey toward escaping my torturer: My own mind. An AHA moment actually occurred for me while watching the show. I have been ashamed, scared and embarrassed to tell anyone, anyone that I hear voices. Just hearing that symptom in addition to the other symptoms I and others are plagued with sparked a jolt within me to believe my diagnosis might have been correct. I have done alot of research on Bipolar Disorder, read many books including An Unquiet Mind and never heard of voices being heard or a battle between good and evil taking place within your mind. I feel I am fighting a battle for control within myself. Help truly is hard to find. I had been to many doctors before I was diagnosed and given a slew of antidepressants that never fully worked. I have been living a tortured existence for too long. I have two beautiful children and a husband who is my "coach". They absolutely deserve a better functioning mother and wife. Thank you for allowing me to view myself from a different perspective. The perspective that I am willing to accept a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and am ready to battle it and one day live calmly, happily(?) with it. Thank you once again!

I was diagnosed at 17 and have learned to cope and better understand myself through the help of medication, an excellent doctor and a supportive family over the past 6 years. I believe one of the hardest obstacles that I have struggled with is trying to explain my symptoms and warning signs to others. I completely understand what this mother is saying when she says that wasn't her. Before I had the correct medication there are many times when I acted out in ways that I would never see myself doing in a million years. I can't say I was violent to hurt others but I had a lack of judgement and took on a personality not of my own. I know it is difficult to request that others understand what bipolar people go through but I appreciate hearing the stories of other bipolar people. I may never meet them but in some way I feel connected and a relief that someone in this world knows exactly what I'm going through.

Everyone always relates their personal experience/past to pass judgement on others. I am sure that Andrea never thought she was capable of killing her child. She was the best mother in the world. She went above and beyond! You can't pass judgement. Especially when you know so little about the situation.
I am from the same town as Andrea and my heart breaks for her and her mother, ex-husband, daughter...everyone close to her and Garrett. The loss of precious Garrett and then ultimately the loss of Andrea is absolutely horrible! She is a wonderful, God-loving/people-loving person. I pray for her and her family....for healing and forgiveness of all involved.

One I have BiPolar
Two I HAVE NEVRE EVER WANTEDto HURT nor have I hurt anyone other than myself.

Bi Polar has NEVER CAUSED me to get angry.
The only thing BP has done is make me High more energetitc and caused me to make coreelations that most can't see as they are stuck in the box. We tend to think outside the box are usually highly intelligent my IQ is 146

I am an EMT, an Artist, Published poetry, and am also a Computer Sysadmin and Web Developer.

I hate that you are airing this. I have had issues with Oprah's shows before but this goes beyond what should be talked about.

If she had "voices" she was not only BP she had some other Dx. Why was she not hospitalized for attempted suicide. Isee 1000 things that you have not addressed. The husband is as much to blame. He failed to protect his child by hospitalizing the wife.

My Message board is now advocating Banning ALL OPRAH shows products etc. This is not helping people affexted by an illness that really is no different then cancer or diabetes. BTW all people with mental illness DO HAVE some MIND OVER MATTER. I know, I am not medicated at this time I am stable and I have three wonderful kids. I know my triggers and I know my weaknesses.

Oprah you are friends with Dr Phil you should know better!!!!!!!

I did not know that people with bipolar disorder could commit murder. I thought it was a condition that causes manic behavior or depresssion.
Last Sunday a man killed his mother and her two foster sons in a gruesome murder scene. He had recently been diagnosed with the disorder.
How prevelant is the violent aspect?

I dont understand the difference between really advanced Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Or a personality disorder or whatever. I always thought bipolar wasnt as serious as these other diseases. I thought hallucinations and hearing voices were generally associated with Schizophrenia.
lblatimer@bsu.edu

Shut up Oprah, you're not advancing the cause of the mentally ill by asserting that 'everyone' is using being 'crazy' nowadays for their 'lack of responsibility'. Your show distorts the reality that people with mental illness are more often the VICTIMS of violence than the perpetrators. Your show makes me angry, because it does more to accentuate stigma than dismantle it. It would have been better not to do this show at all.