Other kinds of manic behavior can include a decreased need for sleep, excessive euphoric feelings and poor judgment, such as reckless driving, spending sprees and foolish business ventures. Now 31, Gasper is getting his master's degree in social work at the University of Houston. He's also a volunteer with the Mental Health Association of Greater Houston, a nonprofit United Way agency that is dedicated to promoting mental health, improving mental health services and eliminating the stigma of mental illness. Since July, Gasper has spent four hours a week as one of 12 volunteers answering phones for the association's information and referral service. Last year, volunteers responded to some 7,000 calls, ranging from requests for support or self-help groups to information on mental health agencies and resources, private mental health professionals and general mental health information.
Hank is bright and caring.
He knows and understands what people are going through, and he is willing to use his experiences and ask questions. The illness generally hits people in their late teens to 30s, Gasper said. It has been diagnosed in children under 12, though that is rare. Manic depression can be disabling, but once diagnosed it is one of the most treatable mental illnesses. They see it as a stigma and don't want to be mentally ill.