I spent the first part of Silver Linings Playbook being angry–not at the film, but at the audience who was laughing at Bradley Cooper’s character’s Pat Solitano’s portrayal of bipolar disorder. It was too familiar, too real. But then I warmed up to it, recognized the messiness of his family, how they hoped to help and fell short, while not even realizing this; how ‘take your meds’ is the only mantra we sometimes know; how we try to protect, and perhaps stifle, those we love who are struggling. It’s a film, of course, and there’s that happy ending, but it reminded me that in spite of sometimes getting things wrong as a family, we’re still there and maybe that’s enough. Maybe.
andrew solomon on the moth
I wanted to start with this youtube clip. It’s the journalist Andrew Solomon giving a presentation on The Moth. I’ve included it here for a few reasons. Its funny, it shows how we each seek out whatever works for us (in highly individual ways), and he’s an insightful writer on issues around mental health (look up Noonday Demon).
Not to give away the punch-line, but I post this with one caveat—I’m not anti-therapy—you’ll see this in coming weeks. It’s more that I'm intrigued by how everyone finds their own way to get their blood pumping again.
If you don’t know The Moth spend some time listening to some of the podcasts – they are wonderful company. I used to listen to them in the car on the way to work; I’ve laughed in traffic jams and arrived at the office crying.