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From a very young age, Evan Perry was obsessed with death. at 10 he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At 11 he threatened to jump off his school's roof. Despite years of therapy and medication, Evan's depression lingered, as did his preoccupation with dying. At 15 he finally committed suicide. This film delves into the complexity of Evan's disease, sharing one family's journey through the maze of mental illness, as told by the filmmaker: Evan's own mother, Dana Perry.
Premieres Monday, August 3 at 9PM ET/PT
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Posts:
1
Registered:
10/14/09
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(36 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Oct 14, 2009 1:24 AM
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When I was 15 there was a boy the same age as me. He came up out me out of the blue and asked "What makes you want to live?" I can't remember what my reply was at that time. This was on a Friday. The following day I was visiting my mother. On the news was a story where a 15 year old boy had commited suicide. He done this with alcohol and a bottle of sleeping pills. His body was found across the street of a Jr. High School named Twin Peaks in Poway, Ca. He was a student of Poway High at the time. This happened in 1976. I had blammed myself for not taking him seriously. Maybe if I told a teacher. Maybe if I told him something else that would have changed his mind. Now I have seen the story of Evan Perry. I realize the stories are the same. Most likely there wouldn't have been anything I could have said to change the outcome.
All I can say now is God bless them both. Hope that Evan finds peace and happiness forever.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
9/29/09
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(35 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Sep 29, 2009 5:24 PM
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Hi, i was wondering if anyone could tell me when this will be airing on HBO? I have charter television and i am very anxious to see the movie. I just can't seem to ever find it on TV.
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Posts:
3
Registered:
8/17/09
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(34 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Sep 2, 2009 2:28 AM
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Dear Kimbazz,
Please know you are NOT alone. I live in CA and have a 17 yr old daughter with bp and rheumatoid arthritis ( I have a 20 yr old and an 11 yr old also) Please look for my comments below. My email is there for anyone to respond privately. Hs4265@aol.com
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Posts:
2
Registered:
11/24/08
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(33 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Sep 1, 2009 2:29 PM
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For those families who are suffering: think of your dear child as having leukemia or MS or blindness. It is no one's fault that they have been afflicted and you have a child with a potentially fatal disease.
It will be excruciatingly difficult for you but would you send a child with cancer away? Most families who have sick children will try every remedy and therapy, looking for the cure or some hope for their child. Do everything you can and get some help for yourself as well.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
8/29/09
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(32 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 29, 2009 2:04 PM
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Hello, this is actually the first time ever that I felt the need to share and even took me a while to do so.
When I was a child a had a very unstable up bringing because of my Mother's mood swings...which was never diagnosed. But she did medicate herself if you know what I mean. And at times because of her medicating herslelf things were good, but when they were bad...they were really bad. But finally her fight ended in suicide and I was left to deal at 16. Now here I am after getting my life back and trying to pursue a happy lifestyle with a wonderful husband and children. My son is 8 and we have a lot of problems with him and right now I do not think he has been properly diagnosed. Your Documenatry really hit me hard, I feel like I can't get away from this curse. Just when I finally fought my way out of my Mother's agonizing turmoil, now I feel so helpless because I can't help my son who has inherited this thing that is beyond my strength. The fight never ends.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
8/25/09
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(31 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 25, 2009 7:01 PM
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What a powerful documentary! Thank you the Perry's for sharing your story; I'm sure it must have been very difficult. I think Evan would be proud of this documentary since he himself was a filmaker; and to know his story can help so many others.
This documentary was very touching to me; my son is 8 and struggling with bipolar disorder. It was helpful to know that there are other families out there with a similar story, and to know you are not alone.
Dana and Hart gave me strength, to live the journey, to fight for my son, and to enjoy the good times.
I think this is also a wonderful teaching tool for families, friends, neighbors, teachers to better understand the life of a bipolar child.
Thank you so much; this documentary was so necessary and appreciated!!
God Bless.
Natalie
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Posts:
4
Registered:
8/19/09
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(30 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 23, 2009 5:01 AM
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Edited by SusanKaplan at 08/23/2009 2:07 AM PDT
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Posts:
4
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8/19/09
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(29 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 23, 2009 5:01 AM
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Your post is so appreciated and "scary". thank you--as the mom of the 8 year old-- I wish you the best in every way with your oldest and the twins. I can see all you described this far and it truly is the not knowing that is so disturbing. I can foresee him as an alcoholic and in drug addiction- and on the other mentioned subject --the weed will probably give him the same results as the medication (my own opinion) but much less controlled and inconsistent. And I know well what you mean about protecting your twins and I hope they still have a relationship with him? My son and other child's relationship is almost nothing but confrontation. I definitely understand fuel for his fire too. I recently said to his new psychologist - I can feel its too late to get him back he's already 8--she said " you have to look at it he's ONLY 8. She's my hope and I think my son and I are going to be blessed to have her. I have come across no one else who understood what I need. For me, I have to prepare for the best first and hope I know him the rest of his life, on my rock bottom day- I'll give up. (I probably cant call it rock bottom at 8yrs old yet huh?) There's so much more to enjoy--LOL You're in my thoughts and prayers-good luck to your son in everything he does.
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Edited by SusanKaplan at 08/23/2009 2:27 AM PDT
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Edited by SusanKaplan at 08/23/2009 2:43 AM PDT
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Edited by SusanKaplan at 08/23/2009 2:46 AM PDT
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Posts:
2
Registered:
8/22/09
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(28 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 22, 2009 4:44 PM
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Please believe me, as your son (who is 8) grows up, he will show you what he wants you to see and completely and successfully veil want he doesn't want you to see if he is bi-polar. This disease is as cunning and baffling as alcoholism, even more-so if you ask me. The chameleon like behavior is something they're experts at, something they're born with, and excel at using. Being highly intelligent seems to fuel this fire (again, personal opinion). I wish you the best and that you can know exactly who your son is at 12, 15, 18, and beyond. My suggestion, from my heart (truly) is be prepared not to know.
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Posts:
2
Registered:
8/22/09
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(27 of 36)
Re: Boy Interrupted - I'm not alone...
Aug 22, 2009 4:31 PM
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This was such a blessing, thank you so much HBO and the Perry family for your honesty, and detail oriented truths about your hardships with your beloved son Evan.
I also have a 19 year old son, diagnosed with bi-polar disorder after many (what we called) rages, and a suicide attempt at about 12. He is also off his meds, and now self-medicating with marijuana. But he now wants to join the military.
I've pulled so far away from him. I can't even believe I'm writing this. It feels like a huge confession. I have always been the target of his rages, and now he's a foot taller than I am, and 10 times stronger, and all I can do now is avoid him. I have twin younger sons, now 15 that I've been vehemently protecting for years.
I hate this roller coaster. I've had such ups and downs with this, so has my husband. The hospital visits, police visits ... and now it seems smooth, but I don't trust it.
Please, can anyone tell me how they feel about the pot thing? What do you see, if your teens are doing it instead of the meds they hate so much?
I'm so sorry for your loss Mr. and Mrs. Perry. I don't know if you read these things, but if you do, please know that my heart aches, and my head understands your journey while my spirit prays for comfort for you now. My you take heart in knowing that you've helped a desperate Mom in California by telling your story. There is no one around here coping with this type of issue, I know, I've tried to find them. Now I'm not alone.
Kim
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Posts:
4
Registered:
8/19/09
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(26 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 19, 2009 4:58 AM
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Finished with regrets-- from the enormous judge that I am, didn't express my Deepest Sympathy to the Perry's., And Thank you Evan, Dana and Hart Perry for the Amazing documentary that taught me so much, and put me here to learn more from all these people who shared their life stories.
- Susan
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Edited by SusanKaplan at 08/23/2009 12:24 AM PDT
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Posts:
4
Registered:
8/19/09
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(25 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 19, 2009 3:26 AM
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EVAN'S PARENTS MEANT WELL?- BUT closely watching the video tapes you can tell they didn't really really know him to let him go that far nor did his doctor! You have to be able to see through kids like that to understand them and feel what they feel to truly get anywhere.
My son 8 - is Bipolar and exactly who Evan was. Fresh, defiant, painfully inside himself, and mature beyond his years. IS THIS AN INHERITED MENTAL ILLNESS? or do we bring it out in our children as their way to cope with any major mistakes as parents? I Struggle every day to make sure I hug him and tell him I love him--- both not done in my house growing up as a child.
The ONLY way to describe Bipolar Disorder is Self Numbing and Torment and Frustration . Mood Swings. (I believe)Caused by our Coping Skills called Fight or Flight waring down till you have nothing but that left.
I blame myself - (I made every mistake raising him I could make)--- as maybe should Evan's parents,( instead of joking that he's probably laughing that they didn't dig a hole for him at the cemetery- Her heart must have been broken, but she couldn't show it to anyone. Very sad. Anyone could tell by looking at Evan's face he did not want to be the star of his mom's home videos- .he probably just wanted her love and time. And wanted no one else but his family at the funeral. He felt like he didn't have one friend in the whole world. Wishes gone unnoticed.
As they say- If you want love and respect from your children - Give it to Them first. Read their Minds!- Get inside their head with every conversation- like you really mean it-and pretend you're not so busy or tired you're head is spinning.
Children (some) need patience from us beyond humanly possible-- find a way! and make time for Them.
Just as any child that has ADD or ADHD . For example--Yelling at him for little things that should have been tolerated- like putting his feet up on the table - like Evan did that night. To us its another yell- to them its another hole their heart. Do we have to scold our kids for walking to loud too?!
Evan's parents so obviously from this documentary Did not know exactly how he felt inside- (not a friend in the world) .-- as I so painfully have been to my own son. I see my self in Mrs Perry. --Speaking from absolute experience. This is just my opinion.
God bless Evan and so many other little boys and girls like him.
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Posts:
1
Registered:
8/17/09
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(24 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 17, 2009 3:14 PM
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My deep condolences to the Perry family on their loss. Although diagnosed with depression as a teenager, coming off of medication (prozac), my doctors believed I was manic depressive. I was not convinced, and believed that it had more to do with the withdrawal and my brains dependency on the medication.
Many doctors put people who want to come off of antidepressants on a quick withdrawal (over the course of a month or two). A brain, especially a developing brain, can easily become dependent on a drug that essentially alters the brain chemistry. It is my belief that many doctors still do not fully understand the best ways to assist a patient from withdrawing from such drugs. When I first tried to stop prozac I stopped over a course of a few weeks. It was not until a month or 2 later that I had a complete melt down, throwing dishes, having thoughts of death, feeling unloved, and literally feeling crazy. Naturally I went back on medication and within two weeks I was stabelized. Years later I followed a different approach for withdrawal and went so slowly it took me almost 2 years to withdrawal from a 20mg/day dosage. I decreased my dosage every 2-4 weeks depending on how I was feeling by no more than 10%. I also watched my diet, reducing processed foods, and eating mostly whole foods and no sugar. It took much discipline. I also started supplementing my diet with chelated Magnesium and fish oil. It was alot of work. But it has been 2 years since I have taken any prozac and I feel 100%. Of course I am older now, 30 years old, and throughout my adulthood have learned many coping mechanisms an adolescent simply does not have yet.
I strongly believe that the Perry's did everything they could for their son with the information that was available to them. But I feel more needs to be studied and understood about the best options for children with depression and bipolar tendencies. Sometimes holistic approaches to health care can do so much more.
I know Evan seemed to have thoughts of death and suicide even before he was put on prozac, but I can't help but wonder if these thoughts increased afterwards? I know that their is a new warning label on prozac saying that "SSRI's may increase suicidal thoughts and behavior in children under 18" I had 2 friends that took prozac before they were 18, one commited suicide and the other attempted it.
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Posts:
3
Registered:
8/17/09
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(23 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 17, 2009 4:53 AM
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As the mother of a 20 year old son, 17 year old daughter with bipolar and rheumatoid arthritis,and an 11 yr old with depression/adhd, I sobbed while watching the documentary. My daughter was getting violent and depressed at 18 months. She was in the full blown throes of early onset childhood bipolar by age 3. I finally got her dx?d at Mass General with Dr. Biederman by the age of 8. She was a vivacious, knockout beautiful ,charming bright child before the disease and the meds took it?s toll. She was a dancer a gymnast and a bright student up until the depakoate, lithium, topamax,respiradol ,zyprexa, and other assorted meds destroyed her body and soul. She lost years of her life, raged and trashed her room and the house at least 3-4x a week until she was 16,sobbing after her tirades were over and she realized what a mess she had made of her beautifully decorated Scooby doo room. I never called the police during this time nor did I put her in a psychiatric ward. I realized after reading all the threads and IM?s on Bpkids.org, that I would try to avoid the same mistakes I saw parents making. I gave up my entire life for her. I went to IEP meetings every month, fought for services, kept her from outside problems with school,and protected her. I cut the closet poles half way so if she tried to hang herself the pole would break. Fast forward to present, she has not been able to learn much in school, her brain can?t focus. She?s 40 lbs overweight, smokes pot, feels she has no life, constantly takes me for granted, verbally abuses her younger brother and me on a daily basis and makes our family life a living hell. If you met her you would never know anything was wrong with her. She refuses to go to therapy and has a warped perception in terms of her behavior and it?s effect on all around her. I am trying to get her to get a makeup degree so she can contribute to her own support. I know she will never finish college and I will forever be coming to her rescue. My hope is I can get her a small apt with another room-mate and find some peace for myself and for her. My sons and I definitely have PTSD, but I would still do it all over again. I could never forsake her. She has called me every filthy name in the book, has probably taken years off my life, has even spit in my face, but I see this documentary and know the statistics of suicide and am grateful she?s still alive. I am in constant fear that one day I will get a call, or find her dead. There is no answer. My husband( not their father) asked me how I felt about her being born. I told him ,? If I knew through genetic testing she would be bipolar I would have had an abortion out of kindness for her and our family. Even though I love her. Only those of us who live this day to day can understand my comment. I pray for all of us, those of us who live with BP relatives and those who have BP. God bless all of us. hs4265@aol.com
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Posts:
1
Registered:
8/22/05
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(22 of 36)
Re: Docs Summer Series: Boy Interrupted
Aug 17, 2009 2:05 AM
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Shame on this family for allowing thiis film to be made and shown....it is NOT what Evan wanted!!!!
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