Revisited – The Crisis Is Over, Now What? A Mom’s Journey Managing Her Daughter’s Mental Health With Dorothy Whitmarsh

In this revisited episode of Beyond the Balance sheet, Dorothy discusses her experience as the mother of a child with ADHD and Bipolar Disorder which led to her interest in educating other families touched by these issues. She speaks about the journey of getting multiple opinions for her daughter’s diagnosis and reveals what she would have done differently for her family. Tune in to this episode as we talk about what is preventing people from really finding and channeling resources to mental health concerns.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:10] Dorothy opens up about her experience parenting a daughter who is struggling with behavioral health issues. 
• [08:55] Dorothy searched tirelessly for answers. She speaks about the journey of getting multiple opinions for her daughter’s diagnosis. 
• [12:50] What Dorothy would have done differently with her family. 
• [24:05] About what is preventing people from really finding and channeling resources to mental health concerns. 
• [29:10] Overall, be respectful of your child’s wishes. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Any major illness disrupts the family dynamic. An inordinate amount of attention and time is devoted to the one child that appears sick. While on the other hand, the siblings that appear normal are getting less attention.
• Parents of children who have a major illness have a divorce rate of 80%. 
• Marriages that are fragile fall apart more easily than those that are strong.
• It is very frustrating for a family to not have clarity around their loved one’s diagnosis. However, there should be a relief knowing that an illness can change over time. 

LINKS MENTIONED:

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorothy-sprague-b498a71/

BIO:

Dorothy Whitmarsh, a native New Yorker with two grown daughters, is a graduate of Brown University and holds an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.  She retired from Wall Street in 1989.  Dorothy has served on the boards of The Chapin School in New York City (where she was elected a corporate trustee and served for 20 years), The Dutchess Land Conservancy, the National Eating Disorders Association and the Republican Majority for Choice.  

Dorothy’s experience as the mother of a child with ADHD and Bipolar Disorder led to her interest in educating others about the experience of families touched by these issues.  Over the years she has consulted pro bono with numerous families trying to cope with the challenges of learning, eating and mood disorders in their children.  In addition, she was a member of the National Council at McLean Hospital in Boston for several years while her daughter was treated there.