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Bipolar Student Turns Experience to Service
by Elizabeth Head
Laura with Christopher, a boy with Down syndrome, whom she took to the beach when working for Turning Point Services
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As she lay in bed in her dorm room, Laura LaFrancis wondered why she lacked the energy to make herself get up. Not even separation from her friends or suffering schoolwork could force her out of bed. Frustrated, she asked herself what had done this to her, why she had changed so much in such a short time.
Laura came to Mars Hill College in the fall of 2001 as a freshman. She chose music education as her major, and like most other college freshmen, she was happy and excited about what was to come.
As her freshman year progressed, however, she began feeling slightly down; she seemed to be having a difficult time adjusting to her new surroundings. This feeling only intensified throughout her sophomore year. She became secluded, stopped speaking to friends, and had to force herself to go to class.
Now Laura was spending most of her time sleeping; just getting out of bed had become exceedingly difficult. Laura knew something was obviously wrong, but she did not want to find out she was sick. "I didn't want to deal with it," she said. Many students, she has since learned, do not want to deal with such symptoms-until it is too late. She has stepped forward with her story because she wants these students to receive help before it is too late.
Laura did not want her parents to know anything was wrong, so she decided to stay at Mars Hill the following summer and attend summer school. She began the summer with 12 hours, but she eventually dropped them all. "I couldn't make myself do it," she said.
A friend of Laura's finally convinced her to talk to Rachel Miller, the college's guidance counselor at the time. Soon after this visit, Laura made her first trip to a psychiatrist in Asheville. After only one 1 ½ hour long session, he diagnosed her as bipolar.
At home freshman year
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The news shocked Laura; she never anticipated hearing that she has such an illness. The fact that she was bipolar, however, made sense; bipolar is a genetic disorder, and Laura has a history of the illness in her family.
Not only is bipolar disorder genetic, but it typically surfaces during late adolescence or early adulthood. According to the national website for Active Minds, the disorder affects men and women equally; medication and counseling are often used to control it.
The term "rapid cycling" is used to describe the course of emotions throughout a typical day. There are extreme highs and lows; these ups and downs can be triggered by normally trivial matters. Some people experience a longer period between highs and lows, sometimes up to six months. A balance of emotions is typically not achieved except with medication.
Soon after Laura's diagnosis, she began taking medication. She tried several different kinds; as the fall semester approached, however, she realized her medicine was not working. It was, in fact, making her even more tired than she already was.
Despite her knowledge that she was not getting any better, Laura signed up for 12 credit hours for the fall semester of her junior year. By the drop date, which was about three weeks later, she was down to six hours. This was a huge difference from the 21 hours per semester to which she was accustomed as a music education major.
With the help and understanding of her professors, she passed everything that semester. She went home for Christmas break, not sure if she would return in the spring. She said after everything she had experienced, she just "felt so gone."
While at home, Laura hit her lowest point. She became completely frustrated with herself and her medication; she did not understand why she could not make herself get out of bed.
While at home alone one night, she overdosed on a sedative; she took 100 pills with a bottle of vodka. Her parents, who were supposed to be out all evening, arrived home early and found her. Laura's mom, who is a nurse, immediately performed CPR; Laura believes this act is probably what saved her. Her parents also called 911 and had her stomach pumped.
After that night, Laura was put into the care of her parents and into outpatient treatment at a hospital in her hometown of Gastonia. She eventually found a psychiatrist in Charlotte as well as a psychologist from Belmont-Abbey College who agreed to counsel Laura because she was the age of a college student. As an employee of the college, this doctor usually met regularly with only students.
While at home during that spring semester, Laura finally found a medication balance that began to work. She slowly started feeling better and eventually became "stir-crazy" in her house.
She got a job as a teacher's assistant at Bessemer City Primary, and she also worked at Turning Point Services, a company dedicated to assisting people with disabilites. To remind her that school was still important, she also took a computer class at Gaston Community College.
As her condition improved, Laura became able to see how her illness had been affecting her friends and family. Her mother felt guilty and responsible because the line of bipolar disorder came from her side of the family. Her dad was frustrated because he did not understand why the illness was not fixable.
Laura said her sister, however, probably had it the worst; she was just starting college when Laura began getting sick. "She went off to school and just got left there," Laura said. Although she did not always want it, Laura needed all of the attention.
The following semester, Laura returned to Mars Hill. She changed her major to social work and decided to work on a minor in music. That decision was largely the result of her experience with bipolar disorder. Once she accepted and dealt with the fact that she had the illness, she became aware of how many students are also affected by it on college campuses. Her goal is to eventually become a college counselor.
When she returned to Mars Hill, she and two other students helped to start Active Minds. All three students involved had been affected by mental illness in some way; Laura was most directly affected, however, being the only one of the three who actually suffered from a mental illness.
Laura LaFrancis today
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Concerning Active Minds, Laura says, "First, let me tell you what it's not. Active Minds is not a support group. It is a group of people who want to fight the stigma associated with mental illness."
Laura also shared some words of wisdom for those who either suffer from, or know someone who possibly suffers from, bipolar disorder. She says if you are experiencing depression, put out warning signs and talk to someone. If you have a friend showing signs of depression, talk to them. Laura warns that people often want to hide their feelings; you may think you have noticed their symptoms early, but they could already be "on the edge." As a friend of a loved one, be "ever-conscious" of these warning signs
If you do decide to approach a friend out of concern, Laura recommends talking gently and with care. Do not try to be their therapist, and do not ever say "I think you might be bipolar." Encourage them to talk to someone, especially Mars Hill's counselor, Bill Dycus.
Also never confront a friend during the "high" phase of rapid cycling. When they are this happy, they will not want to talk about depression, and they are less likely to listen. When they are in the "low" phase and experiencing sadness, gently approach and talk to them.
To all students on Mars Hill's campus, Laura says: even if your symptoms do not seem serious, if you are feeling down-even if it seems trivial-do not hesitate to talk to Bill Dycus. College is a dramatic change, and there is nothing wrong with talking to someone about it. A counselor will not get involved or take sides, and everything that is said will remain confidential.
Laura also warns students to be cautious about taking more than 18 hours per semester. She is currently taking 12 hours. She has learned that too much stress can trigger symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder.
Laura is now in her fifth year at Mars Hill and will still have one more before she earns her social work degree. She is living the life of any other college student, busy with school and various activities. She is the vice president of both Active Minds and the Social Work Club. She is a sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, an international music fraternity for women, and she was nominated this year for Who's Who Among American Colleges and Universities. She is also engaged to be married; she said that she is able to have a successful, intimate relationship that would not be possible if her emotions were constantly up and down. In addition, she also works two part-time jobs, both allowing her experience in the field of social work.
When asked how she has learned to live with such a significant illness, Laura simply replied, "I own it." She rarely thinks about her bipolar disorder, except in the mornings when she takes her medication. She has come quite a long way from the days that she struggled to just get out of bed; she now faces life head-on, unafraid.
Reader Comment:
Kristie Hollifield, staff, 2/3/2006, 3:31:16 p.m.
I appreciate Laura's willingness to share something very personal. Most people are quick to discuss their physical aliments but may feel they must suffer in silence when it comes to mental illness. I wish Active Minds success in their efforts.
Richard Myers - MHC '97, 2/13/2006, 10:30:59 a.m.
I'm impressed with Laura's willingness to educate others about Bipolar DO and other mental illnessess. She represents the Social Work program very well. I am currently in private practice as a Licensed Clinical Therapist in Gastonia.
Ted Berzinski, Assistant Professor of Business, 2/15/2006, 1:32 p.m.
Laura was a student in my LAA111 class her very first semester. Then as now, she is a wonderful young lady!
Linda Head, parent, 2/15/2006, 4:37 p.m.
I approached this article with interest because my daughter wrote it (very well, I might add). But I have come away from it very touched by Laura's willingness to share her experiences. The message is timely; I lost a bipolar friend this week to suicide. I pray that people will heed Laura's advice.
Erin Babb, alumna, 2/28/06, 12:41 p.m.
I used to know Laura very well and thought of her the sister I never had. We haven't spoken in years, and reading this article brought tears to my eyes. Now I understand. I wish I wasn't so blind and could have been there for her. I am sorry Laura! -Erin
Crystalyn Morgan, sophomore, 9/14/2007, 1:28 p.m.
I admire the fact that Laura made a choice to share something so personal. This story gave me a message that I will live with forever (no matter where life takes you, you have to take life back). This was a very inspiring story.
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