I am writing regarding your recent article "Little Boy Blue" about Justin Furstenfeld of the band, Blue October. As a mother of two children who have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (their father has the disorder as well), I am disheartened to see an article perpetuating myths and stereotypes regarding mental illness.
John Lomax "asked a question"... to see proof of Furstenfeld's mental illness in the form of a pill bottle. Ah, if only it were that simple. The signs, symptoms and ailments of Bipolar Disorder are mind boggling in their numbers and variance. It often takes years for a correct diagnosis. The medications do not read, "Bipolar Pill.. take two and feel normal in the morning.". Nor do all patients with Bipolar Disorder take the same medications. It is, unfortunately, rather common for uninformed people to dismiss the symptoms of this disorder as drama. I am sure I made the same mistake prior to educating myself.
It is especially grievous to see this article imply many times that Justin Furstenfeld could not have Bipolar Disorder because he was a "very popular, happy-go-lucky, somewhat athletic ladies' man" in Junior High. The two of my children with Bipolar Disorder are very popular, well-liked, talented, intelligent. Their father was extremely popular in Jr. High & High School. My son is a very talented musician & actor. My daughter is a top student, great athlete & all around over-achiever. Must they all be lying in a ditch somewhere, drooling and speaking nonsense in order to have a mental illness?
Lomax also implies the erratic and inconsistent behavior which is a symptom of Bipolar Disorder could only be explained by one of two things: either a terrible childhood or a conniving, vainglorious attempt at deceit for personal gain. It is quite damaging to insinuate that people "develop" mental illness because they had "bad parents". Bipolar Disorder is a biological illness. Situations can trigger symptoms, yes. The illness itself is a chemical imbalance in the brain.
I was further appalled to see 'evidence' in the form of a quote from a letter stating that musician, Elliott Smith had "actually killed himself", but Justin had not. Wow. This ludicrous statement is astoundingly detrimental to all of those who have been so deep in despair as to contemplate taking their own lives. This is precisely what the Pick Up The Phone Tour and Justin Furstenfeld are trying to raise awareness about. The signs of suicide, mental illness and depression are not what the public perceive them to be. We must make an effort to educate ourselves in order to help all of those suffering from these disorders.
There are many things in Lomax's article which can actually be explained as symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. This disorder does, in fact, gradually and increasingly get worse over time, especially if it is not stabilized by medications and therapy. Memory lapses are common during Mania. I have seen people lose many days from their memory entirely. Bipolar Disorder is controlled by medication, routine and sleep. Emotional situations can trigger extreme episodes. Furstenfeld's October breakdown came on the heels of one tour, the start of another, with a visit to his daughter and "estranged" wife in between. A breakdown was most likely inevitable.
There are also several places in this article where Lomax simply did not do his homework. I have read interviews where Furstenfeld says he was a drama major in High School. (It is possible to be an actor and a musician and also have Bipolar Disorder. Ask my son.) Furstenfeld also gives a detailed account of how (in the 1990s) he was working at one hospital in the morning and became a patient of a different hospital that night in an interview from the "Argue With a Tree" DVD. It can be seen on Youtube as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib737JO3rU0
Are there inconsistencies from interview to interview? Most likely. I'd expect that is true with anyone who is asked the same questions repeatedly, but perhaps even more so from someone with a mental illness.
This article is not only a proclamation of Lomax's ignorance regarding mental illness, it is a great disservice to those who deal with it in their own lives. We must strive to lessen our collective ignorance. Articles and individuals such as this only make it more difficult to help, treat and understand those suffering from Bipolar Disorder, Depression and other mental illnesses. If I told you I had survived Breast Cancer, would you ask me to lift my shirt?
