I nearly fell off my chair when you said you were 16! Bravo, young man. Sorry for what you have been through. What amazing courage you must have to speak so openly about your hardships to a of a room full of strangers. Kudos to you!
I am confused.. what’s this thing about his mother calling him “Adam Lanza” or whatever his name is on her social media posts? Is his mom crazy and the cause for his mental illness? Either way this kid is really brave for telling everybody his issues.
LesPaul2006 nope not even then. In that case they deserve to get proper treatment for their disorder. It's not a choice. They don't choose to have those outbursts. They hate them as much if not more than everyone around them. They need the tools and help to become their own advocates and to help them on the path to a bright and happy future
No - you are not crazy, you are incredibly intelligent and brave. I look forward to seeing you in the future and of all the positive things that you will accomplish. Good luck!
Eric, I heard your mom speak today in Appleton, WI. This led me to find your video. What an amazing person you are. I admire your willingness to be vulnerable and teach other's what's is like to live with a mental illness. The passion you and your mom have for educating and giving other's hope is commendable. You are changing the world!!!
"I was scared I wouldn't be able to stop myself. Like I was trapped inside of my own head," Very powerful. My son is Adam Lanza? The blog post sounds like too much. GJ surviving bipolar disorder.
Sweetheart your story made me cry. It makes me think how many children are going through the same thing as you did. As a nurse I’ve seen how horrible experience psychiatric hospital can be for a young child. You’re an amazing 16 year old smart boy. I’m so happy to see you’ve gotten your self out of that situation by doing meditation. Meditation can do wonders for our brain. I wish you all the best. I hope you continue working towards healing your self and others as well in the process. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Eric, you can't begin to know how important your are. We NEED you. You are a light in the darkness. Your honesty and perseverance are gifts. Thank you.
You did a great job Eric. This was by far one of the best videos from Ted on the struggles of living with mental illness. And you are right, it never goes away and will be something people like us will have to fight against all of our lives.
Very powerful. This is why I work to help keep kids at home while they try to find the help they need. It is so frustrating to watch this cycle happen to anyone. I am so glad you have a hopeful view of your future.
Thank you so very much for sharing your story. I am so glad that you have had the courage to continue to live, even when you were suffering so much. I am glad that you have finally found a path that is working for you. I know that medication, therapy are not cures. But, hopefully, your life is happier. I am also Bipolar.
This is incredible. I remember the blog post very well and did a quick Google search to see what happened to this young man. This is BEYOND what I ever could have imagined. I know it's an old video, but he's still doing well and he's still a mental health advocate. This makes me think that maybe everything isn't totally hopeless. When I read the mother's blog post (which has stayed with me for all these years and I bring it up a lot when talking about mass shootings), I felt so helpless. She was doing everything she could and she just wanted to help her son. I'm glad she succeeded. This story should be bigger. There should be mandatory parenting classes where people are told this story. My cousin has a child with oppositional defiant disorder and he's more open to getting her help (she was already expelled from public school because she was attacking the other children) but all his wife says is, "She's not crazy! She doesn't need therapy." She's in total denial. Meanwhile, they sleep with their bedroom door locked because she has literally tried to kill both of them several times and that started at age 7! Plus, as someone who suffers from mental illness myself, I was extremely offended by her, "She's not crazy" comment. She's sick. Call it "crazy," call it "mentally ill," it doesn't matter. It's what she is. Just like I am. Just like A LOT of people are. Stop being so judgemental and get your kid some damn help.
I just saw this video and it is the most inspiring video I have ever seen... Kudos to you Eric Walton ! What a champ !! Thank you for your courage to speak & influence people and spread positivity 🙏 🙏🙏
Eric, this is so brave of you. Thank You for sharing your story. Parenting is the toughest job. As a mom of a 3year old daughter and 6 month old son, I took a lot from you sharing your story. Always listen to my kids emotions and show them love and except them for who they are. Thank you.
My son is struggling with bipolar as well at a very young age. My heart goes out to Eric and it helps me so much to hear what he has seen. Thank you Eric!
It was heartbreaking hearing everything you had to go through to Finally get the right diagnosis and treatment😟. Wanted to thank you for speaking up on issue of stigma. I deal with depression and I'm hoping one day I can find courage through the stigma surrounding me to bring more awareness... You given me inspiration to try.
This kid is courageous. I would love to know more about the solution. I will say that the story sounds familiar--although not as acute--but still, this is exactly what people need to hear and be exposed to to understand that there are other doors that you can walk through, and there is the possibility of a better life. I applaud you.
thank you for sharing your story. I am also bipolar. diagnosed twenty three years ago. i didn't get diagnosed until i was in college, i think i was 23. it was rough. lots of breakdowns in all those years because sometimes meds stop working- it can be difficult to switch over to new meds. the last treatment i did was in 2007 where they said i had schizoaffective tendencies- because when i have a breakdown, i have hallucinations and delusions. but it all seems real to me- and i live with the aftermath of these traumatic experiences. i am healing now. but it has taken a long time to work through the anxieties. thanks for sharing. good luck with everything.
Eric you need to understand how much courage it takes not just to speak about your problems but to massive audience. I certainly will never understand what you have gone through. However I know that people like yourself who share their story, give other individuals going through mental illness, hope and options to help them with their illness. We as a nation must come together and reverse the stigma that mental illness carries and continue to help others share their stories and get the help they need Immediately. Thank you for sharing you story and I wish you the best in your life.
Bravo Eric! Thank you for sharing your story. It helps me understand more clearly the challenges my brother endures. Your courage is commendable and inspiring!
Awesome talk and very brave to stand up and speak with such confidence. You are to be applauded! I too am Bipolar (2) I also have ADHD, so I can relate to your struggles first hand. I agree with you...people need to be kinder, more understanding and compassionate. I've had my own brother scream at me asking "DID YOUR DR. EVER TELL YOU THAT YOU WERE BIPOLAR!!! It was just pure rage on HIS part... Why? I don't understand. Anyway, he screamed at me in front of our then young and impressionable sons. I was happy and feeling good so I was talking a lot ... and fast... We were on our way to a boy scout camping weekend with our sons. He looked as though he was disgusted with me.We arrived at the camp in the morning for some activities. Later on, when it was it was lunch time, my son called me over to the camp fire where they were cooking hotdogs . I said I'd be there in a minute, after I walked into the cabin where the adults were making something else for lunch, because I didn't want a hotdog. The next thing I knew, I was laying on the hard tiled floor and ready to just get up on my feet. My brother told me to stay put. He said that something had happened and that an ambulance was on it's way. Apparently I had a SEIZURE, DUE TO A BAD MIX OF MEDICATIONS... NEGLIGENTLY ON THE PART OF THE DR. AND THE PHARMACY, because the two medicines together was red flagged. I was lucky that I went into the cabin first... and that my brother was standing next to me to break my fall, or I would've cracked my head open on the tile floor. I'm also lucky that I didn't head over to where all of the kids were, where I could've fallen into the camp fire, and scared all of the young boys. I was LUCKY that this happened then, and not a half hour later when I would have been driving my car, and doing a mom a favor by dropping off her son at their house. If this happened on the highway, I could've killed us and other people. How SCARY to think that we put our trust into these Dr.'s. They have you write a list of the meds you are currently taking, (which I did)however he obviously never looked over the list. This Dr. was an Orthopedist...NOT my psychiatrist. He should have caught that... so should the pharmacy... red flags missed both times. I'm just grateful that nothing really tragic happened that day. Apparently, due to this bad mix, (Zoloft with ULTRAM my serotonin was sky hi out the roof!!!! Years later, this same brother stood up at a table at a restaurant. He thought that my sister,( also with a mental illness plus addiction) was supposed to be there for a NAMI Family to Family meeting, which I had worked on for at least two years at persuading my family to go to 6 meetings, in order for them to be educated on our illness, I thought this was going to bring some understanding of us, and learn about how they could be of help...or at LEAST, not cause any further damage. When my brother realized that my sister wasn't coming, he got furious because I had told her NOT to go to work for him that morning. Too many details to get you to understand. Let's just say that when he found out that I told her not to go to work for some very valid reasons, he got soooo angry again. He said, well if this isn't for her... Why are you here. I explained that it was because she was my sister too, and I wanted to know how I could be of help to her. I said that she was waaay far down in a dark hole, and wasn't functioning very well at all...and that I was higher functioning, so I wanted to be there. He then proceeded to SCREAM AT ME IN THE MOST HORRIBLE, NASTY & MEAN way. I tried to say that I had a good idea that would help her. I had learned of a woman who had a business called "Bright Futures". This woman helped people who were mentally ill and couldn't get out of bed or off the couch and out participating in life. However, I was barely able to get a word out as he was now screaming at me, once again in front of my young impressionable son and neice. At the top of his lungs, he was screaming..."No... you are EVERY BIT AS SICK AS HER!!!!!" PLUS MUCH MORE. I felt as though he was riddling me with bullet holes. It was a nightmare. It had a MAJOR affect on me which resulted in my sliding down the hill myself. I was so traumatized, that I can easily cry about it today when I think about it... It was soooo evil and cruel...yet I'm the one with the problem! Then, one summer I broke my ankle. I had emergency surgery and was in a VISIBLE CAST for about 6 weeks. WHAT A DIFFERENCE THERE WAS IN THE WAY I WAS TREATED WHEN PEOPLE COULD SEE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG! THEY WERE SO NICE AND HELPFUL! A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE!!! WHAT A HUUUUGE SHAME... THAT OUR OWN FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE "IN THE KNOW", COULD BE SO CRUEL! IF I HAD CANCER ... WOULD THEY BE SCREAMING AT ME!? NOT!!! WHAT A SAD SITUATION WE FACE WHEN THERE ARE SUCH HURTFUL, IGNORANT PEOPLE ATTACKING US BECAUSE WE ARE ILL!!!! JUST TERRIBLE!
nancy fox thank you for sharing. I don't share with everyone about having a mental illness, because they can use that information as bullets to harm you... but I think it was good that you got that out. Stay strong, there are people who can help I hope your sister is better and in recovery. As for you, you're strong to me for having children to take care of despite your troubles. hugs and love your way.
Update... Things have made a major turn around since I wrote to you. As it turns out, I lost my sister to cancer just two months ago. A terrible loss for so many reasons, but as related to me... I lost my only sibling that understood me. It's still very surreal. Anyway, it's very unfortunate that at the heals of this loss, some healing has begun, with regard to my brother and me. He spoke at her eulogy, and talked, while holding back tears, about how he had forgotten who she was. He had just put a slideshow video together, with all kinds of pictures of her- - smiling, laughing, etc. This really brought him to the point of realizing this. It was heart wrenching to watch him so full of grief and remorse. Well, since then, he's a pretty big wake up call, and is now reaching out to me in a nice manner. I've even met him for lunch, just the two of us, which was otherwise unheard of. It's great, but it's so sad that it took this... at the expense of my sister's life. Anyway, just thought I'd share. I hope you are doing well and thriving on your journey.
Nancy, thank you for your story, and I'm sorry for the loss of your sister. Death is often a wake-up call to the realities of life. I get the strong feeling that your brother has Bi-Polar too, but that he's just better at masking it. I recently came across a man who was horrifically abused as a child. He is also Bi-Polar and has a host of other mental disorders, and like your sister, suffers from addiction. His is alcohol. I want you to do some research on *Narcissistic Personality Disorder*. Basically, this is a deeply wounded individual who masks that pain with extreme self-love - love he/she never got as a child. All he got was criticism (and possibly physical abuse and neglect.) As such, even the slightest criticism would send him/her into a fury of rage. This person wants everything their way, (controlling and highly manipulative,) and puts down others to lift himself up. Your brother so reminded me of this disorder. But there is great hope of family restoration if he realizes his part in things, since most "Narcs" refuse to do so, but rather shift blame to everyone else, forever playing the victim. I hope your brother has explained to your sons how wrong he was for treating you the way he did. That's a huge part of owning his stuff and would go a long way to healing your sons, for they are victims of his abuse. Children learn what they live, then they live what they learn - passing on the abuse to others. You keep on educating, and be especially mindful of how your disorder affects your boys. Whether any mental disorder is passed down genetically or environment (how one is raised,) - as in "Nature vs. Nurture," is a matter only you can know about your own family. Thanks again for posting your story. Indeed we need more compassion and kindness, but in dealing with someone who is out of control angry, we need to establish boundaries.
Can I adopt you as my long lost little brother ? Your story is similar to mine in regards to meds, the side effects , hospital visits, being scared of myself , and bullying. I was misdiagnosed with BPD when I really had ASD though. Still, we share a lot of common ground there. You aren't alone, and You are so brave young survivor, Never give up, your life matters and your story is so inspiring!!!
You are braver than most human beings ! And you are more insightful than most also that includes doctors Kudos to you and may the healing continue each day 👍
Your parents are absolute monsters, and I'm so sorry for what you've had to go through. As a 48-year-old man who suffered extreme depression and anxiety his entire life I know exactly what you've gone through but it was even worse for me. I was born in 1968, and you can imagine the treatment for mental health back then. I went through a hell that you would not believe! it took them over 40 years to diagnose me properly and during that time I've lost count as to how many medications I was on, I've also lost decades of memories because of those medications. We need to educate the public and the doctors on how to treat patients with mental health issues. The stigma attached needs to disappear, because it is a medical issue, nothing more! We don't need to be tranquilized to death, you don't need to be looked down upon and insulted or thought of as just plain crazy, we need love, we need compassion, and we need understanding. Thank you for your bravery and speaking in front of all those people, so that other people like myself know that we're not the only one. I wish you nothing but a successful, and happy future, which I'm sure you will have, all my very best!
i am so sorry you had to suffer such a dark childhood but what a brave and insightful young man you a re. now i pray you know the depth of Gods. unconditional love and find his purpose. for your life as Joseph's in the bible
Useful information. In life there are only 2 problems--mind and te body. To feel better reduce negative thoughts. Your breathing is closely related to the brain [mind] and gives good relief from stress-anxiety. To relax sit on a chair or lie down, neck straight, eyes closed and observe the sensations of your incoming--outgoing breath at the entrance of the nostrils for 5-10-15 minutes or more. Don’t fight your thoughts. With daily practice the mind will relax. No deep breathing needed. Do the practice without any expectations. When taking a walk, at office, in college, when reading, before sleep etc observe your breath sensations. Like me, make this a lifetime daily habit to have a better life. Reduce negative social media and avoid constipation as it affects the mind instantly. Best wishes--Counsellor.
He was lucky to be in his bio family. Was in TX with transracially adopted child for whom no help was available and has now spun into a depth no one should go. If you know someone with mental health difficulties in TX get them out, there is competent help but not there.
I have suffered mental illness since a child in mid sixties as well my father did not believe in medication just a good beating to control my behavior. Now finally 55 years of age and been regulated I went from 195 lb too 280 never losing. being discouraged tried stop taking them was a terrible mistake, It is a good thing I have a strong support group and that's help me obtain 10 years of recovery without using any mind altering substance. I t was them I had an understanding medication is a necessary to keep balance and not using drugs I still struggle with rage and depression especially when I am alone long periods of time. I have had to accept the stigma some of society thought on mental illness and sadly will always exist
Really good speech. And he's right. Also, so much for the "professional help" knockout argument. Professional help can be totally unprofessional. Can also work wonders. But it's not a guarantee.
One comment that this young man needs to take to heart it is that his psychotic behavior made it impossible for people to consistently treat him with kindness and not fear him. His mother obviously loves him and he should be grateful his mother wrote that blog post, for many reasons. Without that blog post, he could be in jail by now, for longer than just a few nights. Without that blog post, that psychiatrist would never have reached out to his mother and set him on the right path. Without that blog post, hundreds, perhaps thousands of mothers of mentally ill children wouldn't despair in silence. And without that blog post, millions of people wouldn't know his story, unless his story, played out from improper treatment to a tragedy like the one Adam Lanza carried out. I sense a lot of anger remains in this young man, and I get it. Mental hospitals, jails and perceived abandonment. That's hard. It is almost as if in this speech, he's still looking for someone to blame - parents, doctors, law enforcement, bullies. The mental illness is to blame. And unlike cancer, which can be detected through specific tests and diagnosed, mental illness is exceptional hard not only to diagnose, but to treat. I pray that he gets some healing from the trauma he suffered, and also that he can lead a fruitful and productive life with the help of psychiatrists and counselors.
Erik Stone, Liza Long is a fantastic advocate. If you haven't already you should check out her ted talk and related speeches. You're the blog post is very inspirational. I agree that it was likely a spark that created an explosion of advocacy from the voices of burning hearts and minds. The right diagnosis is a gift but the meds alone are not enough. As Eric says, the capstone of the arch. You must still build the arch around it. And that blog post definitely led to the creation of that capstone.
Do you know how long it may have taken him to get up on that stage and speak his own honest truth. What is your personal experience of all of this man's journey? How do you know what he needs in the future. You need to get up that stage next and correct every thing you think he said wrong?? 🤔
I'm the mother of a child with behavioral problems. My son was misdiagnosed with autism. I relate to this problem immensely. I can say I've never medicated my son. A combination of nutrition, herbs, vitamins and minerals such as B complex, magnesium threonate, stress relief teas, etc. have worked great for us. And to all I recommend a functional medicine doctor. It doesn't hurt to give it a try.
Magaly Leon you’re exactly right that eating a balanced diet and living healthily can help manage conditions like Bipolar disorder and for some people that’s enough. But for others psychiatric medications are needed in addition to that healthy life style in order to achieve stability. Since giving this talk I’ve attempted going off my meds once and it was a disaster. I thought I could do it and I was wrong. I’ll never make that mistake again.
Great story. Love the outcome, and hoping it gets better as life goes on for him. One thing though, is it just me, or does he speak like Michael Scofield from "Prison Break?" Thought his speech pattern was very interesting.
Until you have a child with MI you will never understand the things that woman has been through. She is not seeking attention-she is trying to spread awareness!
Eric Walton was "labelled" as a child and these labels pose as significant barriers to emotional, cognitive and physical wellbeing. Children are acutely aware of the labels affixed to them, as did Eric at age 5, and these labels only reinforce the notion that they are "different", "unworthy", "unloveable" and a "burden". The labels came from Eric's community, authority figures such as the police, his teachers and fellow students and....healthcare professionals. Of all of these; healthcare professionals should have known better--much better--and the stigma Eric experienced due to his mental illness should have been minimized and mitigated, through the medical community. Mental illness related stigma is far too prevalent within the healthcare community and this community, at the end of the day, should be the most understanding community and the most "kind" community. I write this a healthcare provider with a very small role caring for others.
I'd say people who say they dont have mental health or mental problems.. are hypocrites. We all have issues.... ~ especially psychologically? if not why do we need a saviour? Desperately sicks?.... the heart?
This is so shocking. One thing I noticed when I came to USA was the people here insane believe in medication. Take the pill to resolve any problems .WTF ? I have to tell you You are amazing intelligent young humble men .You are not mentally ill that for sure. I'm so sorry what you have to experience. You are brilliant. Love your speech Nurse from Poland
Love this video. Its a great ted x subject. The millions of mentally ill are s truggling to find survival in a difficult world. Even without mental conditions. Its hard to survive. But with a mental condition its a han d icap that weighs yu down in our attempt to live in a world where the subject needs more enlightment and compasdion.
Oliver Makower while you are correct that borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder do have a lot of similarities they also have a lot of differences. Borderline personality disorder is something that develops over time and most medications won’t help too much as it’s a personality disorder. There are some medications available but they’re significantly different from the meds used to treat bipolar disorder. It also helps to keep in mind that mania and depression express themselves in many different ways. In my case all that extra energy bottled up inside until it exploded out of me in the form of the rages I describe in the talk. The depression that followed usually led me to suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people just go on spending sprees, some people stay up for five days or more.
Sorry but what is ASD? By the way, the kids in school are irrational, the teachers are irrational, the system is irrational and bullying is irrational. Who are the ones fixed in old roles, narrowmindedness and repetitive behaviour? The bullyies or the victims? In my view it looks more like the bully-people has what looks like developmentinhibition or what they call that in therapeutic therms. I think I´ll invent this therm myself then and call a bully a person with DID (Development-Inhibition-Disorder).Kassondra Ola>>>You look like a person I could easily fall in love with. ;)
I nearly fell off my chair when you said you were 16! Bravo, young man. Sorry for what you have been through. What amazing courage you must have to speak so openly about your hardships to a of a room full of strangers. Kudos to you!
I am confused.. what’s this thing about his mother calling him “Adam Lanza” or whatever his name is on her social media posts? Is his mom crazy and the cause for his mental illness? Either way this kid is really brave for telling everybody his issues.
To even imagine putting a child in a prison cell is disgusting, no child belongs there.
Not even if said child pulled a knife on his mom?
LesPaul2006 nope not even then. In that case they deserve to get proper treatment for their disorder. It's not a choice. They don't choose to have those outbursts. They hate them as much if not more than everyone around them. They need the tools and help to become their own advocates and to help them on the path to a bright and happy future
@@LesPaul2006 depends on the age
Even if that child murdered there parents?
Man this made me emotional, hit close to home as I’m sure it does for most of us.
No - you are not crazy, you are incredibly intelligent and brave.
I look forward to seeing you in the future and of all the positive things that you will accomplish. Good luck!
To be fair you can be intelligent and brave while mentally ill.
Eric, I heard your mom speak today in Appleton, WI. This led me to find your video. What an amazing person you are. I admire your willingness to be vulnerable and teach other's what's is like to live with a mental illness. The passion you and your mom have for educating and giving other's hope is commendable. You are changing the world!!!
"I was scared I wouldn't be able to stop myself. Like I was trapped inside of my own head," Very powerful. My son is Adam Lanza? The blog post sounds like too much. GJ surviving bipolar disorder.
Sweetheart your story made me cry. It makes me think how many children are going through the same thing as you did. As a nurse I’ve seen how horrible experience psychiatric hospital can be for a young child. You’re an amazing 16 year old smart boy. I’m so happy to see you’ve gotten your self out of that situation by doing meditation. Meditation can do wonders for our brain. I wish you all the best. I hope you continue working towards healing your self and others as well in the process. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Eric, you can't begin to know how important your are. We NEED you. You are a light in the darkness. Your honesty and perseverance are gifts. Thank you.
I'm bipolar and this made me sob. It is so hard to talk about this and you did it perfectly. we can destroy our liver and kidneys together mate.
You did a great job Eric. This was by far one of the best videos from Ted on the struggles of living with mental illness. And you are right, it never goes away and will be something people like us will have to fight against all of our lives.
I just got diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder. I'm tired of everything.
I hope you are doing well without meds
I went to school with him.... Its cool to see where he is now
Just a Merc ur lying
Maybe he’s not, which school?
Wow, so powerful. Thanks you for sharing your story and open our eyes on this important subject. You touch my heart and soul deeply. Best to you.
Eric
I'm so proud of you,, you're an inspiration to SO many people! I can feel your emotions over the laptop screen. I'm with you, you're not alone.
The Best Tedx videos I've seen. Thanks for sharing your testimony and shedding light on mental illness. Awesome video!
Very powerful. This is why I work to help keep kids at home while they try to find the help they need. It is so frustrating to watch this cycle happen to anyone. I am so glad you have a hopeful view of your future.
Thank you so very much for sharing your story. I am so glad that you have had the courage to continue to live, even when you were suffering so much. I am glad that you have finally found a path that is working for you. I know that medication, therapy are not cures. But, hopefully, your life is happier. I am also Bipolar.
heartbreaking story , respect to that young man and may he get healthy and happy in his life
That was amazing Eric, it really impacted me because of some personal reasons. Thank you for saying this and telling your story
Thank you Eric. Thank you for speaking up. I'm pretty sure we went to the same clinic, they physically messed me up in ways that can't be fixed.
keep up the good fight. 29, diagnosed with a bunch of different things since 17. I think you are younger, but this was amazing to hear, thank you.
This is incredible. I remember the blog post very well and did a quick Google search to see what happened to this young man. This is BEYOND what I ever could have imagined. I know it's an old video, but he's still doing well and he's still a mental health advocate.
This makes me think that maybe everything isn't totally hopeless. When I read the mother's blog post (which has stayed with me for all these years and I bring it up a lot when talking about mass shootings), I felt so helpless. She was doing everything she could and she just wanted to help her son. I'm glad she succeeded. This story should be bigger. There should be mandatory parenting classes where people are told this story.
My cousin has a child with oppositional defiant disorder and he's more open to getting her help (she was already expelled from public school because she was attacking the other children) but all his wife says is, "She's not crazy! She doesn't need therapy." She's in total denial. Meanwhile, they sleep with their bedroom door locked because she has literally tried to kill both of them several times and that started at age 7! Plus, as someone who suffers from mental illness myself, I was extremely offended by her, "She's not crazy" comment. She's sick. Call it "crazy," call it "mentally ill," it doesn't matter. It's what she is. Just like I am. Just like A LOT of people are. Stop being so judgemental and get your kid some damn help.
I just saw this video and it is the most inspiring video I have ever seen... Kudos to you Eric Walton ! What a champ !! Thank you for your courage to speak & influence people and spread positivity 🙏 🙏🙏
Thank u for sharing!!! I really needed to hear this!!! I to struggle with mental illness, but I'm fighting everyday. Thank u for the encouragement.
Eric, this is so brave of you. Thank You for sharing your story. Parenting is the toughest job. As a mom of a 3year old daughter and 6 month old son, I took a lot from you sharing your story. Always listen to my kids emotions and show them love and except them for who they are. Thank you.
Congratulations on your mental health recovery journey. Respect and kindness. You have my respect.
My son is struggling with bipolar as well at a very young age. My heart goes out to Eric and it helps me so much to hear what he has seen. Thank you Eric!
Very powerful. Thanks for sharing your story.
People,need to pay close attention to this man,he really,really knows what he is talking about he's an expert!!
It was heartbreaking hearing everything you had to go through to Finally get the right diagnosis and treatment😟. Wanted to thank you for speaking up on issue of stigma. I deal with depression and I'm hoping one day I can find courage through the stigma surrounding me to bring more awareness... You given me inspiration to try.
This kid is courageous. I would love to know more about the solution. I will say that the story sounds familiar--although not as acute--but still, this is exactly what people need to hear and be exposed to to understand that there are other doors that you can walk through, and there is the possibility of a better life. I applaud you.
thank you for sharing your story. I am also bipolar. diagnosed twenty three years ago. i didn't get diagnosed until i was in college, i think i was 23. it was rough. lots of breakdowns in all those years because sometimes meds stop working- it can be difficult to switch over to new meds. the last treatment i did was in 2007 where they said i had schizoaffective tendencies- because when i have a breakdown, i have hallucinations and delusions. but it all seems real to me- and i live with the aftermath of these traumatic experiences. i am healing now. but it has taken a long time to work through the anxieties. thanks for sharing. good luck with everything.
Sorry to hear that. I wish you fast healing and lots lf comfort
powerful stuff man i wish you the best of luck on your journey
Eric you need to understand how much courage it takes not just to speak about your problems but to massive audience. I certainly will never understand what you have gone through. However I know that people like yourself who share their story, give other individuals going through mental illness, hope and options to help them with their illness. We as a nation must come together and reverse the stigma that mental illness carries and continue to help others share their stories and get the help they need Immediately.
Thank you for sharing you story and I wish you the best in your life.
Bravo Eric! Thank you for sharing your story. It helps me understand more clearly the challenges my brother endures. Your courage is commendable and inspiring!
I strive to understand. I've had people in my life with bi-polarism. Great talk.
Awesome talk and very brave to stand up and speak with such confidence. You are to be applauded! I too am Bipolar (2) I also have ADHD, so I can relate to your struggles first hand. I agree with you...people need to be kinder, more understanding and compassionate. I've had my own brother scream at me asking "DID YOUR DR. EVER TELL YOU THAT YOU WERE BIPOLAR!!! It was just pure rage on HIS part... Why? I don't understand. Anyway, he screamed at me in front of our then young and impressionable sons. I was happy and feeling good so I was talking a lot ... and fast... We were on our way to a boy scout camping weekend with our sons. He looked as though he was disgusted with me.We arrived at the camp in the morning for some activities. Later on, when it was it was lunch time, my son called me over to the camp fire where they were cooking hotdogs . I said I'd be there in a minute, after I walked into the cabin where the adults were making something else for lunch, because I didn't want a hotdog. The next thing I knew, I was laying on the hard tiled floor and ready to just get up on my feet. My brother told me to stay put. He said that something had happened and that an ambulance was on it's way. Apparently I had a SEIZURE, DUE TO A BAD MIX OF MEDICATIONS... NEGLIGENTLY ON THE PART OF THE DR. AND THE PHARMACY, because the two medicines together was red flagged. I was lucky that I went into the cabin first... and that my brother was standing next to me to break my fall, or I would've cracked my head open on the tile floor. I'm also lucky that I didn't head over to where all of the kids were, where I could've fallen into the camp fire, and scared all of the young boys. I was LUCKY that this happened then, and not a half hour later when I would have been driving my car, and doing a mom a favor by dropping off her son at their house. If this happened on the highway, I could've killed us and other people. How SCARY to think that we put our trust into these Dr.'s. They have you write a list of the meds you are currently taking, (which I did)however he obviously never looked over the list. This Dr. was an Orthopedist...NOT my psychiatrist. He should have caught that... so should the pharmacy... red flags missed both times. I'm just grateful that nothing really tragic happened that day. Apparently, due to this bad mix, (Zoloft with ULTRAM my serotonin was sky hi out the roof!!!!
Years later, this same brother stood up at a table at a restaurant. He thought that my sister,( also with a mental illness plus addiction) was supposed to be there for a NAMI Family to Family meeting, which I had worked on for at least two years at persuading my family to go to 6 meetings, in order for them to be educated on our illness, I thought this was going to bring some understanding of us, and learn about how they could be of help...or at LEAST, not cause any further damage. When my brother realized that my sister wasn't coming, he got furious because I had told her NOT to go to work for him that morning. Too many details to get you to understand. Let's just say that when he found out that I told her not to go to work for some very valid reasons, he got soooo angry again. He said, well if this isn't for her... Why are you here. I explained that it was because she was my sister too, and I wanted to know how I could be of help to her. I said that she was waaay far down in a dark hole, and wasn't functioning very well at all...and that I was higher functioning, so I wanted to be there. He then proceeded to SCREAM AT ME IN THE MOST HORRIBLE, NASTY & MEAN way. I tried to say that I had a good idea that would help her. I had learned of a woman who had a business called "Bright Futures". This woman helped people who were mentally ill and couldn't get out of bed or off the couch and out participating in life. However, I was barely able to get a word out as he was now screaming at me, once again in front of my young impressionable son and neice. At the top of his lungs, he was screaming..."No... you are EVERY BIT AS SICK AS HER!!!!!" PLUS MUCH MORE. I felt as though he was riddling me with bullet holes. It was a nightmare. It had a MAJOR affect on me which resulted in my sliding down the hill myself. I was so traumatized, that I can easily cry about it today when I think about it... It was soooo evil and cruel...yet I'm the one with the problem!
Then, one summer I broke my ankle. I had emergency surgery and was in a VISIBLE CAST for about 6 weeks. WHAT A DIFFERENCE THERE WAS IN THE WAY I WAS TREATED WHEN PEOPLE COULD SEE AND UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG! THEY WERE SO NICE AND HELPFUL! A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE!!!
WHAT A HUUUUGE SHAME... THAT OUR OWN FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE "IN THE KNOW", COULD BE SO CRUEL!
IF I HAD CANCER ... WOULD THEY BE SCREAMING AT ME!? NOT!!! WHAT A SAD SITUATION WE FACE WHEN THERE ARE SUCH HURTFUL, IGNORANT PEOPLE ATTACKING US BECAUSE WE ARE ILL!!!! JUST TERRIBLE!
nancy fox thank you for sharing. I don't share with everyone about having a mental illness, because they can use that information as bullets to harm you... but I think it was good that you got that out. Stay strong, there are people who can help
I hope your sister is better and in recovery. As for you, you're strong to me for having children to take care of despite your troubles. hugs and love your way.
Update... Things have made a major turn around since I wrote to you. As it turns out, I lost my sister to cancer just two months ago. A terrible loss for so many reasons, but as related to me... I lost my only sibling that understood me. It's still very surreal. Anyway, it's very unfortunate that at the heals of this loss, some healing has begun, with regard to my brother and me. He spoke at her eulogy, and talked, while holding back tears, about how he had forgotten who she was. He had just put a slideshow video together, with all kinds of pictures of her- - smiling, laughing, etc. This really brought him to the point of realizing this. It was heart wrenching to watch him so full of grief and remorse. Well, since then, he's a pretty big wake up call, and is now reaching out to me in a nice manner. I've even met him for lunch, just the two of us, which was otherwise unheard of. It's great, but it's so sad that it took this... at the expense of my sister's life.
Anyway, just thought I'd share. I hope you are doing well and thriving on your journey.
Nancy, thank you for your story, and I'm sorry for the loss of your sister. Death is often a wake-up call to the realities of life. I get the strong feeling that your brother has Bi-Polar too, but that he's just better at masking it. I recently came across a man who was horrifically abused as a child. He is also Bi-Polar and has a host of other mental disorders, and like your sister, suffers from addiction. His is alcohol.
I want you to do some research on *Narcissistic Personality Disorder*. Basically, this is a deeply wounded individual who masks that pain with extreme self-love - love he/she never got as a child. All he got was criticism (and possibly physical abuse and neglect.) As such, even the slightest criticism would send him/her into a fury of rage. This person wants everything their way, (controlling and highly manipulative,) and puts down others to lift himself up. Your brother so reminded me of this disorder.
But there is great hope of family restoration if he realizes his part in things, since most "Narcs" refuse to do so, but rather shift blame to everyone else, forever playing the victim. I hope your brother has explained to your sons how wrong he was for treating you the way he did. That's a huge part of owning his stuff and would go a long way to healing your sons, for they are victims of his abuse.
Children learn what they live, then they live what they learn - passing on the abuse to others. You keep on educating, and be especially mindful of how your disorder affects your boys. Whether any mental disorder is passed down genetically or environment (how one is raised,) - as in "Nature vs. Nurture," is a matter only you can know about your own family.
Thanks again for posting your story. Indeed we need more compassion and kindness, but in dealing with someone who is out of control angry, we need to establish boundaries.
thank you, nancy
Can I adopt you as my long lost little brother ? Your story is similar to mine in regards to meds, the side effects , hospital visits, being scared of myself , and bullying. I was misdiagnosed with BPD when I really had ASD though. Still, we share a lot of common ground there. You aren't alone, and You are so brave young survivor, Never give up, your life matters and your story is so inspiring!!!
is he only sixteen very intelligent articulate wise beyond his years suffering does that
You are braver than most human beings ! And you are more insightful than most also that includes doctors Kudos to you and may the healing continue each day 👍
Thank you for being strong and sharing your story
Thank you for being so courageous to share your story. Four years later, still such a powerful piece.
You are very brave, congratulations
Great job. Just your TED Talk will help others.
Your parents are absolute monsters, and I'm so sorry for what you've had to go through. As a 48-year-old man who suffered extreme depression and anxiety his entire life I know exactly what you've gone through but it was even worse for me. I was born in 1968, and you can imagine the treatment for mental health back then. I went through a hell that you would not believe! it took them over 40 years to diagnose me properly and during that time I've lost count as to how many medications I was on, I've also lost decades of memories because of those medications. We need to educate the public and the doctors on how to treat patients with mental health issues. The stigma attached needs to disappear, because it is a medical issue, nothing more! We don't need to be tranquilized to death, you don't need to be looked down upon and insulted or thought of as just plain crazy, we need love, we need compassion, and we need understanding. Thank you for your bravery and speaking in front of all those people, so that other people like myself know that we're not the only one. I wish you nothing but a successful, and happy future, which I'm sure you will have, all my very best!
Thank you for sharing your story, Eric.
Thanks for telling your story!
A very touching, educational, and positive talk, amazing to learn from you Eric. Many thanks, and all the best in your daily efforts.
i am so sorry you had to suffer such a dark childhood but what a brave and insightful young man you a re. now i pray you know the depth of Gods. unconditional love and find his purpose. for your life as Joseph's in the bible
Eric, this was so well spoken! BPD is very hard to live with; it as if one is always "checking themselves". Heres wishing you well my friend!
BPD stands for borderline personality disorder, not bipolar. I think the shortened version of bipolar is MD, for manic depression.
@@diavolyne BD or BAD for bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, manic depression is an older term.
Bipolar disorder is BP
This was powerful! Thank you, Eric.
Useful information. In life there are only 2 problems--mind and te body. To feel better reduce negative thoughts. Your breathing is closely related to the brain [mind] and gives good relief from stress-anxiety. To relax sit on a chair or lie down, neck straight, eyes closed and observe the sensations of your incoming--outgoing breath at the entrance of the nostrils for 5-10-15 minutes or more. Don’t fight your thoughts. With daily practice the mind will relax. No deep breathing needed. Do the practice without any expectations. When taking a walk, at office, in college, when reading, before sleep etc observe your breath sensations. Like me, make this a lifetime daily habit to have a better life. Reduce negative social media and avoid constipation as it affects the mind instantly. Best wishes--Counsellor.
Thank you for sharing your story.
wow.....great speech and especially for your age!! well done and i wish you a wonderful journey!! XX
built the capstone of the arch--wordsmith! I love listening to this guy, best TedX speaker ever.
Thank you. You are brave. And everybody says to get help but there is no help
You are an inspiration. I too have a diagnosis. Medication is my godsend.
He was lucky to be in his bio family. Was in TX with transracially adopted child for whom no help was available and has now spun into a depth no one should go. If you know someone with mental health difficulties in TX get them out, there is competent help but not there.
My mother have mental illness she go to the hospital 🏥 every Monday the doctor ‘s sick of her. She play sick it sad. I pray for her.
Thanks for sharing your story..
I pray with all my heart to god to give you all the happiness and peace
I have suffered mental illness since a child in mid sixties as well my father did not believe in medication just a good beating to control my behavior. Now finally 55 years of age and been regulated I went from 195 lb too 280 never losing. being discouraged tried stop taking them was a terrible mistake, It is a good thing I have a strong support group and that's help me obtain 10 years of recovery without using any mind altering substance. I t was them I had an understanding medication is a necessary to keep balance and not using drugs I still struggle with rage and depression especially when I am alone long periods of time. I have had to accept the stigma some of society thought on mental illness and sadly will always exist
tremendous inteligece!! god bless you man!!!
Really good speech. And he's right. Also, so much for the "professional help" knockout argument. Professional help can be totally unprofessional. Can also work wonders. But it's not a guarantee.
Please see Dr Peter Breggin for the truth on psychotropic drugs. Look into Empathic therapy. Eric this is what you needed from the start. Bless you.
Wow.He so brave to talk about his story.
Thank you.
One comment that this young man needs to take to heart it is that his psychotic behavior made it impossible for people to consistently treat him with kindness and not fear him. His mother obviously loves him and he should be grateful his mother wrote that blog post, for many reasons. Without that blog post, he could be in jail by now, for longer than just a few nights. Without that blog post, that psychiatrist would never have reached out to his mother and set him on the right path. Without that blog post, hundreds, perhaps thousands of mothers of mentally ill children wouldn't despair in silence. And without that blog post, millions of people wouldn't know his story, unless his story, played out from improper treatment to a tragedy like the one Adam Lanza carried out. I sense a lot of anger remains in this young man, and I get it. Mental hospitals, jails and perceived abandonment. That's hard. It is almost as if in this speech, he's still looking for someone to blame - parents, doctors, law enforcement, bullies. The mental illness is to blame. And unlike cancer, which can be detected through specific tests and diagnosed, mental illness is exceptional hard not only to diagnose, but to treat. I pray that he gets some healing from the trauma he suffered, and also that he can lead a fruitful and productive life with the help of psychiatrists and counselors.
Erik Stone, Liza Long is a fantastic advocate. If you haven't already you should check out her ted talk and related speeches. You're the blog post is very inspirational. I agree that it was likely a spark that created an explosion of advocacy from the voices of burning hearts and minds. The right diagnosis is a gift but the meds alone are not enough. As Eric says, the capstone of the arch. You must still build the arch around it. And that blog post definitely led to the creation of that capstone.
Do you know how long it may have taken him to get up on that stage and speak his own honest truth. What is your personal experience of all of this man's journey? How do you know what he needs in the future. You need to get up that stage next and correct every thing you think he said wrong?? 🤔
I'm the mother of a child with behavioral problems. My son was misdiagnosed with autism. I relate to this problem immensely. I can say I've never medicated my son. A combination of nutrition, herbs, vitamins and minerals such as B complex, magnesium threonate, stress relief teas, etc. have worked great for us. And to all I recommend a functional medicine doctor. It doesn't hurt to give it a try.
Magaly Leon you’re exactly right that eating a balanced diet and living healthily can help manage conditions like Bipolar disorder and for some people that’s enough. But for others psychiatric medications are needed in addition to that healthy life style in order to achieve stability. Since giving this talk I’ve attempted going off my meds once and it was a disaster. I thought I could do it and I was wrong. I’ll never make that mistake again.
You are so wise Masha'Allah.
I have bipolar rage at times and it is extremely difficult to control.
Great story. Love the outcome, and hoping it gets better as life goes on for him. One thing though, is it just me, or does he speak like Michael Scofield from "Prison Break?" Thought his speech pattern was very interesting.
Empowering ✨
Lots of love.
Excellent!!!!
I am inspired by your story.
Im 12 years old
... i have mental illness
... alqaya on eathing ... help me
I have schizophrenia they put me on horrible medication. It is all true they made me sleepy and tired all times and it went on for 15 years.
His mom is an attention seeker. I am so glad he told his story ❤
Until you have a child with MI you will never understand the things that woman has been through. She is not seeking attention-she is trying to spread awareness!
Wonderful..😄
Eric Walton was "labelled" as a child and these labels pose as significant barriers to emotional, cognitive and physical wellbeing. Children are acutely aware of the labels affixed to them, as did Eric at age 5, and these labels only reinforce the notion that they are "different", "unworthy", "unloveable" and a "burden". The labels came from Eric's community, authority figures such as the police, his teachers and fellow students and....healthcare professionals. Of all of these; healthcare professionals should have known better--much better--and the stigma Eric experienced due to his mental illness should have been minimized and mitigated, through the medical community. Mental illness related stigma is far too prevalent within the healthcare community and this community, at the end of the day, should be the most understanding community and the most "kind" community.
I write this a healthcare provider with a very small role caring for others.
The doctors should admit they hear voices.
Eric 💙
Who was that doctor?
I'd say people who say they dont have mental health or mental problems.. are hypocrites.
We all have issues.... ~ especially psychologically?
if not why do we need a saviour?
Desperately sicks?.... the heart?
“they don’t do that anymore... FYI” LOL
Respect
What a story. Let’s you ask the question what is life....
Good Job!
I have bipolar disorder I am mix with both I have anxiety and bipolar depression I am a suicide attempt survivor...
Keep your head up! Also keep in mind you're never truly alone; a lot of people have this illness.
What the hell!? Why do people dislike videos??????!!!!!!!!!!
Those are the Stigmatized People!!.
Because they are negative and miserable people who have no heart or soul.
Probably high.. confusion of buttons
Especially this one. He's only telling his story. What is there not to like?
Genius
This is so shocking. One thing I noticed when I came to USA was the people here insane believe in medication. Take the pill to resolve any problems .WTF ? I have to tell you You are amazing intelligent young humble men .You are not mentally ill that for sure. I'm so sorry what you have to experience. You are brilliant. Love your speech Nurse from Poland
Love this video. Its a great ted x subject. The millions of mentally ill are s truggling to find survival in a difficult world. Even without mental conditions. Its hard to survive. But with a mental condition its a han d icap that weighs yu down in our attempt to live in a world where the subject needs more enlightment and compasdion.
Mom didn’t compare Eric to a serial killer... Lanza was a mass murderer.
❤
Is it just me, but does this sound more like borderline personality disorder than bipolar? Where is the mania, and the crippling depression?
Oliver Makower while you are correct that borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder do have a lot of similarities they also have a lot of differences. Borderline personality disorder is something that develops over time and most medications won’t help too much as it’s a personality disorder. There are some medications available but they’re significantly different from the meds used to treat bipolar disorder. It also helps to keep in mind that mania and depression express themselves in many different ways. In my case all that extra energy bottled up inside until it exploded out of me in the form of the rages I describe in the talk. The depression that followed usually led me to suicidal thoughts and actions. Some people just go on spending sprees, some people stay up for five days or more.
Sorry but what is ASD? By the way, the kids in school are irrational, the teachers are irrational, the system is irrational and bullying is irrational. Who are the ones fixed in old roles, narrowmindedness and repetitive behaviour? The bullyies or the victims? In my view it looks more like the bully-people has what looks like developmentinhibition or what they call that in therapeutic therms. I think I´ll invent this therm myself then and call a bully a person with DID (Development-Inhibition-Disorder).Kassondra Ola>>>You look like a person I could easily fall in love with. ;)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
❤💪🏾
❤️🙏🏻
I wish my mother get help she mental she can’t see she mental.