Yesterday, I learned that someone I once knew, committed suicide. His name was Isaac Kappy.
When Isaac and his girlfriend moved to Los Angeles from New Mexico, they looked like a typical Silverlake, hipster couple. He seemed to be completely normal. He was highly intelligent, well spoken, confident, funny, & under all of it, a sweet guy.
What I, and others in his circle of friends did not know at that particular time, is that Isaac was a person who suffered from Bipolar II - Schizoaffective Disorders.
Like many who suffer from these disorders, Isaac was resistant to taking the medications that were required in order to function. I have been told by several people who either take the medications themselves, or who work in mental health and/or addiction treatment centers, that it’s REALLY common for people to resist treatment. From what I understand, the medications make them feel like zombies Apparently, once medicated, they’re unable to feel a spectrum of emotions, such as joy. While they’re experiencing the illness without pharmacological intervention, there is an organic, chemical component that occurs within their brains, which temporarily allow them to feel euphoric, invincible and “high”, before they inevitably crash into extreme lows of depression & even despair. It’s a cycle which they go through, and everyone who is afflicted with Bipolar II -Schizaffective Disorders, experiences various lengths of this cycle, with different levels of the highs/lows, or mood disorders.
Several years back, Isaac started to slowly withdraw from others. Instead of writing & playing music (which he loved), he spent more and more time in front of his computer. He had supported Barack Obama, and now that a new election cycle was imminent, he eagerly supported Bernie Sanders, as many millennials & younger gen-exers in Los Angeles did. No big deal. All was well.
However, all was not well. Isaac in particular, was not well, & he was EXCELLENT at hiding it.
Part II - Continued below.