One man's journey to get clean
Viewing comments for Chapter 6 "The Big Purple Book"Getting clean from meth isn't easy
30 total reviews
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
Hello, Patty,
I am very interested in your story. I think it is about your son but I am not sure how much is real and how much is fiction. I know it's normal for us writers to mix them sometimes. I wrote a biography and part of the story had some fiction although it was mostly all true.
I identify with your son. I am also diagnosed with bipolar II and I used drungs in the past. I had a lot of therapy and I went through rehab a couple of times. I found out that it is normal for people with bipolar to get hooked on drugs and alcohol. It's un unconscious or conscious effort to balance the moods one our own. The highs and the lows. My drug of choice was cocaine but I tried crack too. crack is much much worse than cocaine. At least cocaine is a natural substance, I mean it comes from a plant. Crack is all chemicals and it damages the body and mind horrendously. I am so glad I quit twenty-two years ago.
I am reading your story from the beginning. I am not going to review all the chapters but once I catch up I will review all the new ones.
Well done. You are keeping it true to form.
gypsy hugs
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2017
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Hello, Patty,
I am very interested in your story. I think it is about your son but I am not sure how much is real and how much is fiction. I know it's normal for us writers to mix them sometimes. I wrote a biography and part of the story had some fiction although it was mostly all true.
I identify with your son. I am also diagnosed with bipolar II and I used drungs in the past. I had a lot of therapy and I went through rehab a couple of times. I found out that it is normal for people with bipolar to get hooked on drugs and alcohol. It's un unconscious or conscious effort to balance the moods one our own. The highs and the lows. My drug of choice was cocaine but I tried crack too. crack is much much worse than cocaine. At least cocaine is a natural substance, I mean it comes from a plant. Crack is all chemicals and it damages the body and mind horrendously. I am so glad I quit twenty-two years ago.
I am reading your story from the beginning. I am not going to review all the chapters but once I catch up I will review all the new ones.
Well done. You are keeping it true to form.
gypsy hugs
Comment Written 25-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 26-Mar-2017
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Hi Gypsy; thank you for your willingness to go back and read the other chapters. This is very loosely based on my son. He is addicted to drugs and I believe he is self-medicating other issues. Gary's journey through the rehab process is based on my wishes for my son to find his way to rehab.
I really appreciate your thoughtful comments. Thank you for sharing a bit of your story with me,
~patty~
Comment from Rasmine
Hello!! This reads so truthfully. It sounds like a therapist speaking to a client. Your research is awesome.
I just saw one error: It appears that you have a dual diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and Bi Polar II (bipolar is one word or you could write it as bi-polar).
When I studied psychology (have a BA in it) there was no bipolar it was manic-depressive. I was going to get my MA in it, but sadistic statistics kept me from doing that. I got it in early childhood education instead.
Keep writing!! :)
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2017
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Hello!! This reads so truthfully. It sounds like a therapist speaking to a client. Your research is awesome.
I just saw one error: It appears that you have a dual diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder and Bi Polar II (bipolar is one word or you could write it as bi-polar).
When I studied psychology (have a BA in it) there was no bipolar it was manic-depressive. I was going to get my MA in it, but sadistic statistics kept me from doing that. I got it in early childhood education instead.
Keep writing!! :)
Comment Written 28-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 28-Feb-2017
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you can see the amount of research and thought that went into this chapter. I will go back and make the corrections to bipolar. (The different books I used had it both ways, but the DSM-5 spells it bipolar.) I so appreciate the six stars - you've made my day!
~patty~
Comment from Sixty70
I'm coming in toward the beginning but not the very beginning, so it will take me a bit to get into the story. You've read about bipolar disorder and BPD. The discussion between Gary and his therapist is handled well.
I don't know whether some of the symptoms you attribute to BPD aren't also associated with bipolar - hypersexuality and grandiosity. Gary sounds bipolar and somewhat manic when he says he believes he could win American Idol.
It might be helpful to interview a psychiatrist that specializes in dual diagnosis, especially bipolar and chemical dependency. Which medications will be used and which will be used first? Which will be treated first? The whole issue of treatment in rehab, if the story takes place there, is somewhat controversial - at least it was three years ago.
People with BPD are sometimes difficult to treat. You may want to find some literature on dialectical behavioral therapy to learn more.
I'll bookcase your work. Interested in seeing where this goes.
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2017
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I'm coming in toward the beginning but not the very beginning, so it will take me a bit to get into the story. You've read about bipolar disorder and BPD. The discussion between Gary and his therapist is handled well.
I don't know whether some of the symptoms you attribute to BPD aren't also associated with bipolar - hypersexuality and grandiosity. Gary sounds bipolar and somewhat manic when he says he believes he could win American Idol.
It might be helpful to interview a psychiatrist that specializes in dual diagnosis, especially bipolar and chemical dependency. Which medications will be used and which will be used first? Which will be treated first? The whole issue of treatment in rehab, if the story takes place there, is somewhat controversial - at least it was three years ago.
People with BPD are sometimes difficult to treat. You may want to find some literature on dialectical behavioral therapy to learn more.
I'll bookcase your work. Interested in seeing where this goes.
Comment Written 27-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2017
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I have interviewed a therapist AND I have a copy of the DSM-5 for reference. While BPD and Bipolar are often confused, it is the psychiatrist's evaluation of the tests, questionnaires, and conversations with the patient that ultimately decide the diagnosis. Gary has an appointment with the psychiatrist on staff in the morning, so there may be more information covered there.
I suffer from both BPD and Bipolar. It is difficult to treat, and I've researched the current pharmacology used on newly diagnosed patients.
I appreciate your comments and your questions only affirm that I've done my homework on this one.
~patty~
Comment from Alex Biasin
I thought this was very good.
There is a lot of background material on the disease which lays a foundation for how the character is going to react to his diagnosis, but it could perhaps be a bit much, though your interludes with the character thinking about his past in relation to the diagnosis makes it more interesting.
I would think that the same amount of description of the second disorder would be too much, I'd suggest concentrate more on the character and what is happening with him (i.e. his reactions to the diagnosis) rather than being too wrapt up in clinical descriptions of the disease.
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2017
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I thought this was very good.
There is a lot of background material on the disease which lays a foundation for how the character is going to react to his diagnosis, but it could perhaps be a bit much, though your interludes with the character thinking about his past in relation to the diagnosis makes it more interesting.
I would think that the same amount of description of the second disorder would be too much, I'd suggest concentrate more on the character and what is happening with him (i.e. his reactions to the diagnosis) rather than being too wrapt up in clinical descriptions of the disease.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2017
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. Yes, the Bi Polar diagnosis will not be discussed at length. Gary's next chapter will indeed be more character development. I'm glad you enjoyed the read, and I appreciate your comments.
~patty~
Comment from apky
I felt myself getting pulled in by the story with each paragraph and I must say your writing is fun to read. I could also empathise with Gary because we've had a bipolar person in the family. Talking of family, the picture reminds me of our place in Burgundy, France!
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2017
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I felt myself getting pulled in by the story with each paragraph and I must say your writing is fun to read. I could also empathise with Gary because we've had a bipolar person in the family. Talking of family, the picture reminds me of our place in Burgundy, France!
Comment Written 26-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 27-Feb-2017
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm appreciative of your remarks and comments.
~patty~
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Any time, patty!
Comment from Mary Wakeford
Hi Patty, you write fiction very well. Gary's journey continues. I wonder how often multiple disorders present such as what you've described. That would be an interesting note to add in your comment section.
My only suggestion for change would be Bipolar to be one word vs. Bi Polar throughout your story.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2017
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Hi Patty, you write fiction very well. Gary's journey continues. I wonder how often multiple disorders present such as what you've described. That would be an interesting note to add in your comment section.
My only suggestion for change would be Bipolar to be one word vs. Bi Polar throughout your story.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2017
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments and suggestions.
~patty~
Comment from Thal1959
Very well written throughout with just a few errors that, and this is just my take on them, might nor be considered errors to you.
"Yea. He seemed like a standup guy.
"Yea . . ." he started.
Here are two places where you employ the term "yea." This is a common error as some people feel since a vote can be either yea or nay, it must mean yes. Technically it does, But the more commonly accepted form is "yeah" which does not rhyme with yea. (pronounced yay.) 'Yea" is often used as a term of excitement - "YEA! I won!"
night stands . . ." In a couple of places, you have employed an ellipsis the wrong way - space, dot, space, dot, space, dot. It should be rendered as three consecutive dots - (...).
Because of the spacing you included, the above line, "Most of them were one night stands . . ." His - has a single dot and quote marks starting a new line.
I probably could win 'American Idol,' if it was still on the air.
Over the years, people had told him he had 'a big head,'
Here are a couple of examples where you should be using double-quote marks rather than single quote marks. I know this can be confusing, too. Generally, single quotes are only used when one is exactly quoting what a specifically referred-to person has said. In the case of Gary's dialogue, there really is no reason to use any kind of quote marks for the words American Idol, or a big head.
(American Idol is a show's name, and the expression "a big head" is the general expression of a group of vague people - "Over the years, people had told him..."
Other than these small things, the rest is fine.
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2017
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Very well written throughout with just a few errors that, and this is just my take on them, might nor be considered errors to you.
"Yea. He seemed like a standup guy.
"Yea . . ." he started.
Here are two places where you employ the term "yea." This is a common error as some people feel since a vote can be either yea or nay, it must mean yes. Technically it does, But the more commonly accepted form is "yeah" which does not rhyme with yea. (pronounced yay.) 'Yea" is often used as a term of excitement - "YEA! I won!"
night stands . . ." In a couple of places, you have employed an ellipsis the wrong way - space, dot, space, dot, space, dot. It should be rendered as three consecutive dots - (...).
Because of the spacing you included, the above line, "Most of them were one night stands . . ." His - has a single dot and quote marks starting a new line.
I probably could win 'American Idol,' if it was still on the air.
Over the years, people had told him he had 'a big head,'
Here are a couple of examples where you should be using double-quote marks rather than single quote marks. I know this can be confusing, too. Generally, single quotes are only used when one is exactly quoting what a specifically referred-to person has said. In the case of Gary's dialogue, there really is no reason to use any kind of quote marks for the words American Idol, or a big head.
(American Idol is a show's name, and the expression "a big head" is the general expression of a group of vague people - "Over the years, people had told him..."
Other than these small things, the rest is fine.
Comment Written 26-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 26-Feb-2017
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Thank you for your thoughtful and concise review.
~patty~
Comment from dejohnsrld (Debbie)
Borderline is now called Emotional Intensity Disorder according to most sources. Discovering a mental illness is very hard to accept. It took me a very long time to come to terms with it. Well written, my friend~Debbie
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2017
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Borderline is now called Emotional Intensity Disorder according to most sources. Discovering a mental illness is very hard to accept. It took me a very long time to come to terms with it. Well written, my friend~Debbie
Comment Written 25-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2017
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. As always, I appreciate your comments. Gary is having a very hard time with his diagnosis, and I hope to cover more of his struggles in following chapters.
~patty~
Comment from Ulla
Hi there, this is the first I've read from you and I'm quite taken with the story. It's very well written and an interesting topic. It must be a shock to be confronted with such stark reality. Looking forward to follow this story. All the best. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2017
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Hi there, this is the first I've read from you and I'm quite taken with the story. It's very well written and an interesting topic. It must be a shock to be confronted with such stark reality. Looking forward to follow this story. All the best. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 25-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2017
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments.
~patty~
Comment from Tpa
I enjoyed your story. I liked your summarization of your previous chapters. To me, your text appeared flawless, your voice outstanding.
I may suggest that in a brief paragraph; you may offer a flashback into his life, like Alex. Why did they break-up?
Good reading. I wish you the best.
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2017
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I enjoyed your story. I liked your summarization of your previous chapters. To me, your text appeared flawless, your voice outstanding.
I may suggest that in a brief paragraph; you may offer a flashback into his life, like Alex. Why did they break-up?
Good reading. I wish you the best.
Comment Written 25-Feb-2017
reply by the author on 25-Feb-2017
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. (Alex and their story will come up in a following chapter.)
~patty~