Navigating Mental Illness: Parents Stories

Bill and Laura Nowicki
  • 4.9 (18)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Each week hear from parents who have watch their child grow and dealt with mental illness devastating impact to their child's life.

  1. May 26

    S3EP25 From Treatment-Resistant Bipolar to Remission: A Mom's Story of Metabolic & Ketogenic Therapy

    Kristina Cook shares how lifelong anxiety and postpartum depression, combined with her daughter Genevieve's escalating, unpredictable mood instability, rage, suicidality, and mania, pushed their family into crisis despite years of therapy, medications, and an 11-year-old's 16-week hospital in-treatment stay with a discharge plan involving notifying police. After an RFK Jr. press conference led her to Casey and Calley Means' message in Good Energy, Kristina removed ultra-processed foods and refined ingredients and saw rapid improvements in sleep, pain, and her daughter's behavior. Later, after hearing Dr. Chris Palmer describe ketogenic therapy for severe mental illness, Kristina and her daughter transitioned to keto, endured a brief detox period, and then experienced dramatic mental clarity; Genevieve reached remission and came off medication, and Kristina also saw major weight and anxiety relief. Kristina now studies nutrition, works with the Metabolic Collective, and advocates for accessible metabolic therapies for families. Good Energy (book by Casey Means & Callie Means)  metaboliccollective.org  Metabolic Mind — https://www.metabolicmind.org/ Kristina on X (Twitter): @KristinaCook https://x.com/KristinaCo9561 The Better Humans Project — Kristina's Instagram and Facebook pages  https://www.instagram.com/thebetterhumansproject?igsh=MTM4YTkyZ3duejdjbw==

    48 min

  2. 06/25/2025

    S3EP24 Navigating the Storm: A Mother's Journey Through Her Daughter's Bipolar Disorder

    In this powerful episode of 'Navigating Mental Illness: Parent Stories,' hosts Bill Nowicki and Laura Nowicki welcome Kim, a resilient mother who shares her emotional and challenging journey navigating her daughter's bipolar disorder. Kim recounts her struggles from initial denial to becoming a fierce advocate for her daughter's health, detailing episodes of crisis, multiple hospitalizations, and exploring alternative treatments. As she discusses setting firm boundaries and the importance of self-care, listeners will gain invaluable insights into the complexities of mental health within a family dynamic. Join us for an inspiring conversation about love, resilience, and the ongoing fight for mental wellness. 00:00 AI Edits from NMIPS Kim 01:41 Kim's Background and Career 02:17 Family and Personal Life 04:07 Challenges with Mental Health 05:34 Kim's daughter's Struggles and Episodes 07:50 Seeking Help and Rehabilitation 15:02 Recent Developments and Reflections 22:02 A Mother's Unwavering Love 22:30 The Struggles of Long-Distance Support 23:53 Setting Boundaries for Healing 28:15 The Importance of Self-Care 38:04 Finding New Beginnings 42:14 Reflections and Future Plans

    50 min

  3. 05/23/2025

    S3EP23, Navigating Parenthood and Mental Health: Sarah Boes's Journey

    In this episode of Navigating Mental Illness: Parents Stories, the hosts interview Sarah Boes, who shares her compelling journey from rural Kentucky to becoming a nurse practitioner and a mother. Sarah details her daughter's diagnosis with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect, and discusses the emotional highs and lows from selling her business to managing her daughter's multiple surgeries.  She opens up about her personal mental health challenges, ultimately leading to her diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Sarah stresses the importance of being a strong advocate for one's child and highlights the crucial role of collaboration with medical teams. Additionally, she talks about her advocacy work for congenital heart disease, aiming to improve future care and outcomes for affected children. The episode offers invaluable insights into coping with uncertainty, managing mental health, and the resilience needed in the face of life's unpredictable challenges. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:27 Meet Sarah Boes: A Journey from Kentucky to Nursing 04:08 Navigating Pregnancy and Unexpected Diagnoses 06:07 Understanding Tetralogy of Fallot and Early Surgeries 08:25 Mental Health Challenges and OCD Diagnosis 15:19 Coping Mechanisms and Family Dynamics 22:18 Advocacy and Future Goals 33:12 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

    39 min

  4. 04/22/2025

    S3EP22, Finding Calm in the Eye of the Hurricane: Mary's Story of Resilience and Hope

    Mary, a mother of four, shares her family's journey with her son's mental health challenges. Her son, who was adopted at birth, began exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder at a young age. Mary and her husband have navigated numerous challenges, including meltdowns, rages, and hospitalizations, while trying to provide a stable and loving environment for their son and other children. Highlights: Early Signs: Mary noticed her son's unusual behavior at 18 months old, which progressed to intense meltdowns and rages as he got older. Diagnosis and Treatment: After trying various therapies and medications, Mary's son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He has been on lithium, which has helped stabilize his mood. Parenting Challenges: Mary and her husband have had to adapt their parenting style to meet their son's unique needs, including setting boundaries, providing structure, and seeking support from therapists and support groups. Impact on the Family: The family has faced numerous challenges, including feelings of isolation, anxiety, and trauma. However, they have also experienced moments of hope, love, and connection. Self-Care and Support: Mary emphasizes the importance of self-care, seeking support from friends, family, and therapists, and finding ways to manage stress and anxiety. Hope for the Future: Mary hopes that by sharing her family's story, she can help others who may be facing similar challenges. She also hopes to help her son develop coping skills and strategies to manage his mental health. Giving Back: Mary is pursuing a certification in mental health coaching and hopes to help other families navigate their own mental health journeys. Key Takeaways: Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. Early intervention and diagnosis are crucial in managing mental health conditions. Parenting a child with mental health challenges requires adaptability, patience, and self-care. Seeking support from therapists, support groups, and loved ones is essential for navigating the journey. Hope and resilience can help families cope with the challenges of mental health conditions. Resources: The Explosive Child by Ross W. Greene

    46 min

  5. 09/25/2024

    S3EP21 From Fixing to Feeling: A Psychotherapist's Guide to Empowering Parents in Mental Health

    In this episode, Bill interviews therapist Amber about the challenges parents face when their child is struggling with mental illness. Amber discusses the importance of parents focusing on processing their own emotions and reactions, rather than solely trying to fix the child's problems. She notes how children can resent parents for not giving them space to work through challenges, and how siblings often take on roles to minimize stress on the family. Amber also distinguishes between supporting versus enabling a child, and highlights how vulnerability and acknowledging one's own challenges in parenting can strengthen the parent-child relationship. Throughout the conversation, Amber provides compassionate insights on navigating this difficult family dynamic.   Keywords: parenting, mental illness, family dynamics, emotional processing, support, enabling, vulnerability, parent-child relationship

    53 min

  6. 09/13/2024

    S3EP20 When A Mother's Love Meets Bipolar, Teri's story

    In today's episode, Terry shares a deeply personal and emotional journey of navigating her son's mental illnesses, including anxiety and bipolar disorder. Join us as she recounts the challenges of seeking help, the impact on family relationships, her learnings, and the small victories that have facilitated a better understanding and approach towards mental illness. This heartfelt discussion provides invaluable insights for those walking a similar path or those who want to understand more about supporting loved ones with mental health issues. **Key Topics Covered:** - Early Signs and Struggles (00:00:00) - Seeking Help and Diagnosis Challenges (00:06:09) - Impact on Family Dynamics (00:15:53) - Coping Mechanisms and Strategies (00:24:59) - Setting Boundaries and Finding Support (00:32:07) #### Keywords - Mental Illness - Bipolar Disorder - Anxiety in Children - Family Dynamics - Mental Health Support - Parenting Challenges - Seeking Help for Mental Illness - Coping with Mental Illness - Setting Boundaries - Mental Health Education - Navigating Bipolar Disorder - Personal Mental Health Stories - Family Support Systems

    59 min

  7. 09/06/2024

    S3EP19 A Mother's Unwavering Journey: Navigating the Challenges of Mental Illness with Resilience and Hope, Celeste's story

    In this heart-wrenching yet inspiring episode of "Navigating Mental Illness: Parents Stories," Bill sits down with Celeste, a mother from Bill's home state of New Jersey, who shares her journey navigating the complexities of her daughter's multiple mental health conditions, including OCD, severe anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD.  Celeste opens up about her daughter's early childhood, the struggles they faced following a severe family incident, and the subsequent years of seeking proper treatment and care. From the initial diagnosis to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a significant mental breakdown following a family tragedy, Celeste provides invaluable insights into managing a child's mental illness. She discusses the therapeutic approaches they've tried, the challenges of balancing her daughter's needs with her own, and the importance of self-care and having a support system. With moments of triumph like her daughter getting her driver's license and experiencing healing environments, Celeste's story is a testament to resilience and the enduring hope for a better future. #### Keywords: - mental illness in children  - OCD in adolescents - parenting with a mentally ill child  - obsessive-compulsive disorder  - navigating mental illness  - severe anxiety in children  - PTSD and parenting  - ADHD in adolescents  - mental health treatment programs - therapy for OCD  - COVID-19 mental health impact  - parenting podcast  - mental health journey  - supporting a child with mental illness  - parental coping strategies  - family mental health challenges

    39 min

  8. 08/30/2024

    S3EP18 Staying out of the tornado, Courtney's story

    This episode of "Navigating Mental Illness: Parents Stories" features Courtney, a mother who has been supporting her son through his mental health and substance abuse struggles. Courtney shares the journey of her son's development, the initial signs of trouble, his refusal to accept help, and the spiral into drug use and psychosis.  Courtney candidly discusses the emotional toll this has taken on her, including PTSD, panic attacks, and the feeling of helplessness. She describes her approach to self-care, such as therapy, meditation, and limiting her involvement in the community to focus on her own well-being. The episode also explores the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, the lack of timely access to appropriate care, and the difficulties in getting a proper diagnosis. Courtney shares her experience with the conservatorship process and her hopes for her son's future. Throughout the conversation, Courtney offers advice to other parents in similar situations, emphasizing the importance of seeking personal support, setting boundaries, and staying persistent in advocating for their child's needs. The episode provides a raw and emotional perspective on the realities of supporting a loved one through mental health and addiction issues. Keywords: - Mental illness - Bipolar disorder - Substance abuse - Parenting - Mental health treatment - Guardianship - Self-care - Healthcare system - Navigating the challenges - Resilience - Emotional toll - Diagnosis

    37 min
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Each week hear from parents who have watch their child grow and dealt with mental illness devastating impact to their child's life.

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