Challenges relating to mental health illnesses can be even more daunting than dealing with visible, physical disabilities. Every individual is unique, which means though there may be a DSM-IV diagnosis of a specific illness, the manifestations and symptoms vary in each person. The next challenge is that there is not an easy treatment plan. There is not an exact correlation between symptoms, illness, and medications. Like the manifestations of the illness, medications and how they affect each patient vary widely; therefore, treatment becomes a series of trials and errors to find the correct combination and level of chemical treatment to be effective. A 100 mg dose of a medication may be appropriate for one person, but the next person will only need 50 mgs to achieve the same result, even if they are both the same gender, weight, height, and age.

Aside from the treatment challenges, the variability of the symptoms makes it extremely difficult to determine what accommodations and services are needed to support the person and help them to live a successful, productive life within their community. Accommodations for someone in a wheelchair, for example, are much easier to determine and plan for, whereas, the need for taking exams in school privately and orally, while not impossible, are more difficult to accommodate due to the individualized and variable needs of each person.

The creation and implementation of laws and accommodations for disabled people becomes exponentially more challenging when trying to formulate appropriate accommodations for people with mental illness, given that no two situations are alike. Because of the complications involved in successfully supporting mental ill people with disabilities, having an advocate, case manager, or a parent participating is important. You are entitled to have accommodations like any other person with disabilities, do not accept anything less. It is advisable to have people working on your behalf as well to ensure you get appropriate treatment and support services.

Parenting a child with disabilities is challenging. No matter what disabilities your child has, you only want what is best for them and want to see them become successful, independent adults, within the parameters of their disabilities, of course. Parenting a child with mental health disabilities has its own set of challenges beyond the traditional struggles.

At first, I rationalized the behaviors, first as a phase, then as a result of the divorce, but eventually the symptoms overrode all the excuses I kept telling myself and I had to acknowledge the truth. There was something wrong with my son. After the diagnosis, verified by the extreme change in his behavior after he began the mood stabilizing medication, I could no long lie to myself. The truth was clear. My son had Bi-Polar Disorder, former known as Manic Depression. Officially he was diagnosed with Early Onset Rapid Cycling Bi-Polar Disorder, at the age of 8.

For several years, things settled into a stable pattern. The worst was yet to come. The hormonal imbalance of puberty combines with the chemical imbalance of a mental illness, creating a perfect storm of chaos. Life as a teenager is horrible at best for most children. Adding mental illness to the mix increases the nightmare of being a teenager exponentially.

The toughest part is when one day, the medications are effective, and the next, they are completely useless. The hormonal changes and growth spurts mess with the delicate balance of medications. Sadly, finding the right balance is not an exact science, since there is no rule of thumb for treatment, like with an ear infection. As a parent, you feel helpless and hopeless, but will a good support network, including therapists, psychiatrists, friends, family, and other support services, you and your child will survive. There is hope and help, do not be afraid to ask for services and support that will benefit your entire family. You will not regret it.