<p>Some psychiatric disorders certainly do “come on suddenly.” Bipolar 1 is usually sudden onset in late teens/early twenties, for instance.</p>
<p>One point to make here is that many of the conditions being discussed as problematic on campus, are not “emotional disturbance” but physiological, brain-based disorders, often genetic. Insurance companies now recognize this fact in granting “parity” in coverage, similar to coverage for any other medical problem.</p>
<p>This may help explain the sudden onset: it isn’t as if everyone with a psychiatric disorder has been emotionally disturbed for years, and often the parents are more than exemplary. It is true that the privacy laws can tie the hands of both schools and parents, but the tragic outcomes described by some on this forum are not typical.</p>
<p>Our experience with two colleges has been that the colleges are quite strict about how they interpret a situation with a kid with psychiatric issues who is “disturbing” to others, or dangerous to themselves. In one college, several of the freshman dorm’s inhabitants were forced to go home for one of these two reasons, or both. This included a girl with an eating disorder, an attempted suicide, an apparent schizophrenic (brilliant in sciences), depression, and others. The system worked very well, and there was also ample provision for the student’s return, after a period of 1-2 semesters of stability off campus.</p>
<p>The other thing to mention here is that any parent dealing with a kid, or any student him or herself, with a psychiatric disorder should work with the college disabilities office. That student is entitled to a single room, for one thing, so impact on a roommate would not be an issue. There are often other services and accommodations available if the student and family work with the college. This is not special treatment: this is simply identifying what will help the student succeed, in the way that others without this disability have the opportunity to succeed. If there is a sudden onset, then a single room can be requested mid-semester if remaining on campus is a realistic optioin.</p>
<p>Any college student reading this should also be aware that they can be extremely helpful to a friend or acquaintance who may be going “off.” by telling an adult who can address it. This is not snitching or getting someone in trouble. It may be saving a life. The adult who is consulted can look into the matter, and if there really is no reason to worry, no harm is done, as long as the school handles it sensitively and with attention to the student’s rights.</p>
<p>Some of the language and attitudes on this forum are a little troubling. Many esteemed people have had bipolar disorder, for one (Lincoln, Churchill, countless artists, writers, composers etc.). Colleges need these gifted people, and it is an important part of diversity.</p>
<p>It is also important to know that there are quite a few young adults who can, in fact, go off their meds at some point. There are instance in which meds stabilize a crisis, and sort of heal the brain’s pathways, and, with extremely careful attention to lifestyle and stress management, through therapy, can achieve a good life without meds for the most part. This is not a good idea for a student to try mid-semester, or without the approval of an MD, of course, but just to let people here know that kids with bipolar disorder and other illnesses are not always condemned to a lifetime of meds and disability.</p>
<p>The meds have some extreme side effects and are not very comfortable to be on. I think we should all reflect on the difficulties of choosing between a mood disorder, for instance, and being on a med that may cause tremors, bleeding problems, mental fogginess, sleepiness, extreme weight gain, and even fatal reactions.I have family members who have suffered through bipolar illness and epilepsy, so I know this from first hand. </p>
<p>I also have many family members, including my own kids, who embrace fellow students with problems, watch out for them, and, in turn, receive lots of support in return for the stresses of college life. </p>
<p>My kids grew up going to a public school which was very inclusive. They had a child with Down’s, a child with cerebral palsy, a child with diabetes on an insulin pump, and child with an adie for behavioral problems, in their classes, for example. It seems that the new culture of inclusion, which began with the Americans with Disabilities Act, has not percolated down to everyone, just judging from some of these posts. Fear of those who are different can, I hope, be replaced with understanding and connection.</p>
<p>Sorry for the soapbox, but I think the changes that have happened over the last 20 years are good ones, and I hope they continue. Your child, who some may term “normal” (and what exactly is that anyway?) can probably handle a whole lot more than you think, and if things become uncomfortable, your child is perfectly capable of addressing it with the college, and getting a response. In the meantime, roommates and dormmates can learn all kinds of things from one another, and this is just another area for that learning.</p>
Now he is doing the same thing with the freshmen. He is the kind upperclassman, and setting the better example.</p>