Navigating Mental Crises

Depression

How Could I Return to Ordinary Life After My Son Died?

Yvette Sheline MD on November 4, 2025

Personal Perspective: Why hadn’t I been able to save my son? What biological mechanisms made him so relentlessly ill? Could more effective treatments have altered the outcome?

Personal Perspective: Why hadn’t I been able to save my son? What biological mechanisms made him so relentlessly ill? Could more effective treatments have altered the outcome?

Psychosis

The End of the Journey

Yvette Sheline MD on June 16, 2025

Personal Perspective: I feel an unending guilt for not acting sooner. How soon would have been soon enough? Why didn’t I go as soon as he stopped answering his phone and emails?

Personal Perspective: I feel an unending guilt for not acting sooner. How soon would have been soon enough? Why didn’t I go as soon as he stopped answering his phone and emails?

Psychosis

Facing Deterioration in Bipolar Illness

Yvette Sheline MD on June 6, 2025

Personal Perspective: The only time my son had been stable was when he was on mandatory supervision of his medication.

Personal Perspective: The only time my son had been stable was when he was on mandatory supervision of his medication.

Psychosis

When Psychosis Continues Despite Medication Intervention

Yvette Sheline MD on May 19, 2025

While many achieve symptomatic remission after psychotic episodes, full functional recovery is less common and more prolonged, particularly after multiple episodes.

While many achieve symptomatic remission after psychotic episodes, full functional recovery is less common and more prolonged, particularly after multiple episodes.

Psychosis

After Discharge, a Psychiatric Patient May Still Be Unable to Manage

Yvette Sheline MD on May 9, 2025

After a psychotic episode, it's important to separate clinical recovery from personal recovery. These are the factors that determine progress.

After a psychotic episode, it's important to separate clinical recovery from personal recovery. These are the factors that determine progress.

Psychosis

“Essential Worker”: A Title That Gives the Mentally Ill Self-Worth

Yvette Sheline MD on April 23, 2025

"When people ask what I do, I answer that I’m an essential worker and it makes me feel proud."

"When people ask what I do, I answer that I’m an essential worker and it makes me feel proud."

Psychosis

When Short-term Hospitalizations Replace the State Hospital

Yvette Sheline MD on April 14, 2025

People with mental illness who commit petty crimes are increasingly treated within the criminal justice system, which consumes an ever-increasing share of resources.

People with mental illness who commit petty crimes are increasingly treated within the criminal justice system, which consumes an ever-increasing share of resources.

Psychiatry

The Origin of Community-Based Mental Health Treatment

Yvette Sheline MD on April 6, 2025

To understand the rise and fall of county mental health systems, it is necessary to understand the history of the asylum and of deinstitutionalization.

To understand the rise and fall of county mental health systems, it is necessary to understand the history of the asylum and of deinstitutionalization.

Psychosis

Alternative Treatment Options for the Seriously Mentally Ill

Yvette Sheline MD on March 28, 2025

With PACT, a family can live their lives knowing their loved one is being treated, which eases their stress and strain.

With PACT, a family can live their lives knowing their loved one is being treated, which eases their stress and strain.

Psychosis

Alternative Treatment Options for Serious Mental Illness

Yvette Sheline MD on March 23, 2025

For families facing serious mental illness, it is hard to determine the best course of action.

For families facing serious mental illness, it is hard to determine the best course of action.

Personal Perspectives

Life After Release From Mandatory Treatment

Yvette Sheline MD on March 18, 2025

A Personal Perspective: After he was released, my son went back to a guarded stance about what he was thinking and weighed his words carefully.

A Personal Perspective: After he was released, my son went back to a guarded stance about what he was thinking and weighed his words carefully.

Psychopharmacology

The Aftermath of Release From Mandatory Medication Compliance

Yvette Sheline MD on February 23, 2025

When considering issues like court-ordered mandatory medication, does society have the right balance between free will and the least restrictive environment?

When considering issues like court-ordered mandatory medication, does society have the right balance between free will and the least restrictive environment?

Bipolar Disorder

Romance and Relationships During Bipolar Illness

Yvette Sheline MD on February 13, 2025

Personal Perspective: During manic episodes my son enjoyed the sense of optimism that comes from inflated sense of self. He felt that he could approach any woman.

Personal Perspective: During manic episodes my son enjoyed the sense of optimism that comes from inflated sense of self. He felt that he could approach any woman.

Personal Perspectives

Graduating the MSW Program as Social Worker and Patient

Yvette Sheline MD on February 9, 2025

A Personal Perspective: In the Crisis Stabilization program, and enjoying being back in the academic grind.

A Personal Perspective: In the Crisis Stabilization program, and enjoying being back in the academic grind.

Bipolar Disorder

Struggling With Mental Illness in a Graduate Program

Yvette Sheline MD on February 3, 2025

Personal Perspective: "Since bipolar disorder came knocking down my door, I have been a client involved with the mental health system at every level."

Personal Perspective: "Since bipolar disorder came knocking down my door, I have been a client involved with the mental health system at every level."

Psychosis

Levels of Care in a County Mental-Health System

Yvette Sheline MD on January 25, 2025

Too often the only options for patients with severe mental illness are acute hospitalization or discharge to home or the streets. This perpetuates cycles of acute illness episodes.

Too often the only options for patients with severe mental illness are acute hospitalization or discharge to home or the streets. This perpetuates cycles of acute illness episodes.

Psychopharmacology

Crisis Stabilization Center and Medication Monitoring

Yvette Sheline MD on January 19, 2025

Crisis stabilization centers are authorized to administer and monitor medication per legal mandates.

Crisis stabilization centers are authorized to administer and monitor medication per legal mandates.

Psychosis

What Are Community Treatment Orders (CTOs)?

Yvette Sheline MD on January 11, 2025

Community treatment orders (CTOs) are legal provisions designed to prevent recidivism and improve the quality of life for those severely affected by mental illness.

Community treatment orders (CTOs) are legal provisions designed to prevent recidivism and improve the quality of life for those severely affected by mental illness.

Bipolar Disorder

Brittle: The Goldilocks Dilemma

Yvette Sheline MD on January 4, 2025

Personal Perspective: In diabetes, “brittle diabetic” refers to a patient for whom the correct dose of insulin is hard to find. The analogies with bipolar illness are apt.

Personal Perspective: In diabetes, “brittle diabetic” refers to a patient for whom the correct dose of insulin is hard to find. The analogies with bipolar illness are apt.

Mania

How a Potential Career Can Be Derailed by Mania

Yvette Sheline MD on December 31, 2024

Personal Perspective: People with bipolar disorder often experience a higher rate of manic episodes during the spring season. Changes in religious belief are often a red flag.

Personal Perspective: People with bipolar disorder often experience a higher rate of manic episodes during the spring season. Changes in religious belief are often a red flag.